CustomMade.com -- any info/experience?

[ArtfulFolk]

I just opened an "account" and have to wait to be approved (1-2 days). It looks like there might be some merit -- they take a 10% fee, but it's all custom work. I think it would be a nice supplement -- or a waste of time.

Anyone?

[LizArti]

I just took a quick look at it and what bothers me is that It seems like a lot of people requesting copies of items. They don't want one of a kind, but cheaper knockoffs. Similar to Alchemy here on Etsy.

[FinarosaJewelry]

I'd be willing to try it.. I looked at the past requests for jewelry and people have requested some silver silhouettes, which is my specialty. I guess it mostly depends on what you make.

I would rather sign up with Paypal or something.. I dunno about giving them my CC info just yet.

I miss alchemy in the good days. :( Once it picked up full steam, it started getting ridiculous. I used it quite a bit though.

[Former_Member]

Liz from LizArti says

I just took a quick look at it and what bothers me is that It seems like a lot of people requesting copies of items. They don't want one of a kind, but cheaper knockoffs. Similar to Alchemy here on Etsy.
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There's still an alchemy here on etsy?

I would agree with you Liz, when we had that option it was inundated with request to copy copyrighted items.

Lin, good luck with another site.
However, ten percent is too high for your own designs and original works.

Maybe build a "special order" in your shop as a listing.
A great example....loopyboopy ets shop, she has a special order listing. She would be a good example to follow for your own.

[LizArti]

I don't think Alchemy exists anymore.

I looked at CustomMade.com again and it seems that you can actually post photos of items that you're willing to custom make for people, so maybe my first impression was wrong.

I already have another account on Bonanza. More trouble than it's worth, if you ask me! At least on Bonanza you can import in your Etsy listings, instead of starting from scratch. Maybe it's because I put in little to no effort, but I sell little to no items! I should probably just close it down, since most of the items listed have been sold at craft fairs.

[AuraRosesTreasures]

When you import into bonanza, does it delete the listing from Etsy?
What is Alchemy? I don't understand the custommade.com discussion. I am unfamiliar with the entire thing.

[CopperLeafStudios]

Here's a related thread you might find helpful:

https://www.etsy.com/teams/7722/business-topics/discuss/11872694/page/1/

[FinarosaJewelry]

Alchemy was a part of Etsy where people could go and request specific items. Sellers could make a 'bid' to the requester to let them make the item and thus get the commission. It didn't cost any more than the normal fees to do it. It got overrun with copyright infringement issues, spam, and stupid people, so Etsy shut it down. It was great for really unique items that you couldn't find anywhere. Lots of wedding-related items and such, I recall. A lot of people wanted things ridiculously cheap, though.

[ArtfulFolk]

Well, my thought was that my "off the rack" pieces would remain here on Etsy while I could put myself out on another site to garner custom work. Of course, I'd price appropriately to make up the 10 percent, but honestly that's not much of a fee if half of what I'm reading is true. If I"m accepted, I'll post more. . .

P.S. I tried Bonanza. It didn't work for me, but then I really didn't put much effort into it other than importing from Etsy.