Do you really think?

[Former_Member]

Do you really think that this whole reseller issue is that big with buyers? I mean, are buyers (and sellers, for that matter) leaving because of this one seller? I absolutely LOVE Etsy, and I couldn't imagine leaving. What do you think?

[Davs]

I think the majority of buyers have no idea about the issue, but I have heard though the forums that some buyers are indeed talking about leaving and a few sellers too. But it is not *i think* about the one seller so much as it is about an integrity that etsy is missing.

[seemomster]

As far as buyers go.... Most folk have no idea what's going on in Etsyland. It's not even on their radar.

As to sellers leaving...what will be will be. I'm FINALLY getting noticed (five orders this month!) so I'm staying put. I only worry about what I can control...and that is me, my shop, and my product.

(Off to look at your shop...I LOVE hand-crocheted/knitted dishcloths.)

[seemomster]

ANNND....you sell baby blankets. Some day I may have a grandbaby...

[Former_Member]

Hm.... Thanks for your opinions guys. It's all very confusing to me.

[Former_Member]

I'm in the dark here. re seller?

[Former_Member]

Remember when ebay was cool?

[Former_Member]

Pearl, check your inbox

[Former_Member]

Yeah Breanna *sigh*

[hooknsaw]

The majority of our sales are from new buyers to etsy, so we really don't think they are even aware of how the site works. We just try to worry about our own shop and let the rest go.

[Former_Member]

To be honest, I think there area a lot of Etsy buyers who wouldn't even care if they were buying reseller stuff, so long as it's at a good price and it fits their style.

But those buyers who really care about their goods being handmade/local/small batch/ organic etc. often do their own research to confirm what they buy before they buy it. So, I don't think they would completely stop shopping on Etsy just because some sellers aren't selling legit handmade items.

I'm actually glad for all of the attention to this matter, since resellers really hurt us in a different way. I mean, I can't compete with the price point a re-seller of mass produced items can offer.

So, if we can get people who make treasuries to stop featuring re-seller items, and if Etsy continues to do their best to shut down illegitimate shops, and if buyers know that they should always be cautious when they buy anything on the internet... maybe those are all good things.

I saw another thread recently mentioning that it would be cool for sellers to demonstrate that their items are, in fact, handmade. Like, offering a 'work in progress' photo in your listing to demonstrate that you're actually making your items. Or, having a tutorial with the construction process on your blog (though, that won't fly for those with trade secrets...).

Anyway, I'm not discouraged by this. If anything, I think it will lead to major improvements.

[Former_Member]

Very well put Kat. Thanks!

[RDrewNaturals]

Ditto to what Kat said. Well put.

[Former_Member]

Kayla...then you have your answer.

Ebay used to be like a gaint garage sale...with millions of little yards and mom and pop shops.
Hit the massive resellers......and it's now what?

Crap for the mom and pops, crap of the once in a while I'm cleaning out grandmas basement, crap for the buyers really.

They are doing plenty of biz of course...but the buyers who go there and the sellers who sell there....has completely changed.
From a buyer POV I used to buy art off of there and vintage stuff, got lots of stuff for my wedding from small mom and pop kinda places ect......not anymore... I Liked the direct from artist feature thats been swamped with resellers.

At this rate I see etsy turning into a pier one looking place. Funky mass produced stuff... and while it might not look like a lamp from walmart...it's still mass produced and Not handmade.

[Former_Member]

I agree Kat. closing your shop over this will only hurt your own business... Thanks for filling me in with info Kayla! :-)

[Former_Member]

A lot of people have already left--buyers and sellers a lot. There are other places to go that offer to stand behind their policies a little better than people feel Etsy is. These places are quickly growing, and many of their new people are former Etsians.

I wouldn't say there's any mass exodus or anything, and I doubt if the number of people leaving has made much more than a microscopic dent in the number of people who are still here. But there are those that are leaving. I've thought about leaving myself.

[spacefem]

Sellers might leave if they are:
1) afraid of etsy's reputation going downhill, ie, people won't believe my stuff is handmade because other stuff on etsy isn't handmade
2) sick of etsy not taking the reseller issue seriously... I've read other threads where people complained about reporting/calling out resellers, and being ignored or even getting in trouble for it.

So yeah, it's an issue for sure.

[Former_Member]

Kat has a very good point. there are several mass producers that are here selling there items. I compete with a lot of mass producers of similar products from China, whom sell items using the same pictures and products as on ebay. I have always known they were here, but decided to sell my items here anyhow. the few customers who have come to my new shop are looking for custom jewelry in real silver and gold, not cheap plated metals. I feel that is my one up, and hope eventually it pay's off. I have looked into a few other online merchant sites. and Etsy is still my favorite. I think the issue is out there, and it will be resolved due to the massive amount of concern from it's members. and to the ones who leave, I'm almost sure will either come back once it's resolved, or reduce the competition for those who stay. there will be dishonest Sellers no matter what website you host you goods on. Its a waist of time and money to shut down an entire shop. (In my case three shops!)

[Former_Member]

I will not shut down my shops here, but I do have these three points to make about buy/sell as it is called in the marketplace.

First, if a consumer doesn't do their research and find down the road the item they thought was handmade in China for instance, I believe they will feel betrayed. Perhaps by just that shop, but perhaps they will approach all of our stores with suspicion.

Second, if they can sell perhaps a child's cap which was mass produced they purchased for .50 each, the handmade shop cannot nor should not try and compete with that price. However it brings skepticism from the shopper. They are not experts in the skill of making childs caps, so they have to rely on the source to be honest.

Lastly, if we continue to allow resellers on this site it will dilute the purity of what Etsy brought to the market. If it takes shoppers long periods of time to sort between the resellers and handmade, they will eventually give up the game and move on to another market. We see this in E-bay now.