Donations....???

[Former_Member]

I was approached in a convo about donating an item to a fundraiser event. I own a retail shop and honestly, am DONATED OUT! I was just wondering if anyone has been approached and have you done it before?

She went on to explain how it would promote my etsy shop and have a link to it on their facebook page.

[HolidaySpiritsDecor]

I understand this is considered spam at etsy...I just don't reply

[LittleAcornToronto]

I've asked my team members to donate through our team page. Last year a great number of shops came through with awesome items and every penny raised went straight to my son's school.

I wouldn't directly convo someone to ask, as it's against TOU.

I don't mind being asked to donate things for charity, but it makes me crazy when people ask for free stuff to "review". bollocks.

[Former_Member]

I have actually been approached many times to donate items since I started selling in April. It actually really turns me off because I am doing this to make money for my family... I wish I could be a charity but I can't afford to be. I feel people should be approaching large corporations like Target or something who can afford to do this... not small businesses trying to make it. I understand that it could help you a bit if they promoted your shop, but I feel it just wouldn't be worth it in most cases unless it was a large blog or publication or something.
I just nicely reply and say "I wish I could at this time but am struggling to feed my family." that usually makes them go away. :)

[EZCraftingStore]

Last year I was asked to donate my most expensive piece of jewelry to a school auction by a woman. I really didn't have much of an inventory at that time and hesitated because I wasn't sure if it was really for an auction or someone trying to get a piece of jewelry for free. So what I did not to create hard feelings was to offer to have a sale in my shop for that month and I would donate a certain percent to the school. I thought that was a good compromise and I would be doing something good for some children. I asked for the name and address of the school (which I of course would have checked it out) and other information and she never contacted me again. I tried to contact her a couple of times to get this information but she just disappeared.

[Former_Member]

I donate to charities I like, and this has led to sales for me. However, it is agains the Terms of Use to be contacted like this on Etsy. I contact charities i want to donate to, and leave it at that.

[Former_Member]

Karly - I feel the same way! In my storefront there are endless people coming in all with a cause. Helping people with illness and medical bills is the biggest...It seems as though everyone is sick with something these days, and I feel for them but I wouldn't have a business if I donated to everyone!!!

Donna - That is a great idea to really see how true their intentions are!!

I don't think I am going to do it but respond with a thanks but no thanks.

[Former_Member]

I never mind being asked to donate an item for a giveaway, as long as its promotional for me in some way. A lot of shops are using Rafflecopter, and other services like it. It's a pretty easy, seamless way of having people like your FB page or Twitter account before they're eligible to win.

As long as there's something in it for me, I think it is worth it to donate a little something.

[Former_Member]

Mary, I just checked out your site, your wreaths are beautiful!

Just to clarify, I do not mind donating a SMALL item to promotional giveaways, something between $5 - $15 value. Your wreaths are gorgeous and rather expensive... asking you to "donate" something like that, which you have priced more around the $50 range would not be very appropriate.

I guess it all depends on your shop!