How is the "Marked as a Gift" notice on the order been working out as a seller? As a buyer?

[calicoseas]

It's been a while since this option was added, and I'd like to know from sellers and buyers how this feature is interpreted and experienced

[kattymoon]

Actually-it's been somewhat of a nightmare at times..I  think that customers believe it means they can leave a gift message for their recipients..

The thrust of my sales are at Christmas..I  do not offer gift message or gift wrap (my items are already wrapped).. Customers are not aware that I have the option.. So they assume when they check the box that their item is a gift-they type a gift message in the ' note to seller'... I fulfill their request-but I am  soooo busy- I wish they understood that this was not an option that my shop offers.

I don't  think Etsy makes this clear to the buyer.

[calicoseas]

Thank you @kattymoon.  I wonder what a buyer is expecting when they choose to mark the item is a gift.  I can carefully pack, and the packing slip automatically  hides the price; but, I don't know whether the buyer expects it gift wrapped, which I choose not to offer.  It takes me so long to pack each item (heavy glass) with bubble wrap and packing peanuts, and often double boxing.  With size and weight, I didn't want to add an additional charge for wrapping

[calicoseas]

... as the shipping cost is high already.

[kattymoon]

Yes-I agree with the additional cost..my issue is more with taking the extra time to type out the buyers personal message that they wish to send to their recipient. I specifically don't offer this feature because of the craziness of the season.lol

I could possibly add it to my policies--but do you find that most buyers do not read your policies? and sometimes not even the description of the item? That is a problem that will be hard to address

[calicoseas]

Umm . . . Etsy's printable packing slip shows me, when I go to "Print":  "Orders marked as gifts will print without the price and include any gift message."

So, maybe Etsy also tells the buyer that's what it means, when they buy (?)

@ kattymoon, are you saying that Etsy doesn't add the message--you have to type it out yourself?

[calicoseas]

Oh, after re-reading, I see that the buyers use the message to seller for you to type it in the message to the receiver.

[snapconclusions]

I wish that it appeared more prominently on the order shipping webpage. I almost missed the notice once- it sits off to the left, small & not highlighted- would be nice for the typeface to be in bold or red, or some other change that makes it much easier to see.