Are the forums beings phased out?

[OutofTimeDesigns]

I must be in some kind of test because my shop icons are all 'wonky'. Everything is changed around and when I go to look for forums I can only find it hidden away at the bottom of the page.
I really feel there is some kind of conspiracy going on to get rid of the mom and pop stores in favor of the big, big money resellers. If you can't find the forums you can't complain or ask questions....not that I'm allowed to anyway! Only the illusion of the original etsy is preserved. So frustrating....
Think I'll grab a cup of caffeine and look for some eye candy...and that is how the dissident is lulled...

[Former_Member]

hmmmm, interesting. I’ve found the forums the same as always - although, like you, i’m still unable to participate.

[IntellexualDesign]

They aren't worth participating in anyway. I'm not banned...yet. I hate the middle-aged mean girl vibe...it's in every thread.

[upallnightstudio]

This happened on Ebay as well, then forum participation nosedived.

[Former_Member]

That’s true about ebay - the forums used to be big, now you’re hard-pressed to even locate it.

[Former_Member]

If these discussions are public can't the big e swoop in and punish us?

[Former_Member]

Should be made private-just click on the button to do so when starting a thread. E is EVERYWHERE!

[Former_Member]

if they phase out the forums where are those members going to go oh my...will they be lost, do you think they will be able to find their way around etsy

[Former_Member]

Nobody can find their way around etsy. It changes from moment to moment.
I start making sales, then more tests start, sales disappear.

[Former_Member]

I started this team months ago, and etsy doesn’t appear to have an issue with it - at least so far.

[Former_Member]

I just do not trust the weasels AT ALL!

[Former_Member]

Yea, well you're Creepy.....
: )
Must not speak openly or will be punished......I love your forum posts.

[ThreeRiversForge]

I could very easily see them closing the forum. You had to scroll to the bottom to get to the forum link, but there's a quick link to the teams right at the top of the screen. That seems to indicate that they've prioritized things and could be an indicator of a possible future move.

Personally, I think being banned is the best thing they could have done for my shop. My sales are up dramatically, and I probably wouldn't have gotten active over on Google+ otherwise. I really really like G+!

[Former_Member]

very interesting post... they are being super strict in the forums, well especially for silly stuff. but what about teams? we will still have teams if they shut the forums.

[ThreeRiversForge]

Carmen, I don't think they could shut down the teams because those are a vital part of their marketing strategy. Etsy brags on the teams and how they "help" the seller become a success. If they get rid of them, Etsy will be nothing more than a warehouse for sellers to pitch a tent and try hawking their wares.

They could get rid of the discussion forum because they have ample evidence of it being used for nothing more than small-talk that's completely unrelated to the mission of the corporation.

[Former_Member]

True.