How Does This Article Affect Our Success?

[Former_Member]

This morning, in another team I am in, I found a post on this article. I was not too happy about this for a number of reasons. I was wondering how you all feel about how this article affects the success of Etsy sellers.

http://www.buzzfeed.com/alisoncaporimo/etsy-sales-are-the-best-sales#.egBm8dMdJ

[Former_Member]

Sad, but I'm not surprised. I feel especially bad for the shops that sell handmade items. For all sellers, I think being aware of the article floating around is first step in understanding that there are going to be those trying to undercut a shop's price.

I would be especially careful of convos from buyers wanting to negotiate a price really low.

Other than that, there really isn't anything you can do that I know of.

[HoneyThistle]

I mean, most of the 'hacks' on that list aren't even relevant - they're just basic search tips that pretty much everyone should be using when they're searching anyway.

The only thing that was a bit off were the first couple - and TBH, there have been people who have messaged me to negotiate a price on 1 item... LOL. I told them I have sales once in a while and to follow me on social media to get the announcement but otherwise, everything is sold as priced.

If we all just stuck to our own policies for whatever works for us personally, I don't really see this article having any impact whatsoever. It's also interesting that the author of the article owns a small etsy shop herself, so maybe she did it partially for promotion?

[Former_Member]

Well realistically... not much we can do about it. Trying to get it pulled would only bring it more attention.

Shrug and move on, we all got work to do.

[RomaMiaTradingCo]

I mean, I feel indifferent about this article.

A lot of sites already have some of these searches already on their sites, like only wanting a certain price range, sorting the price range, etc.

And we are given the capability to have our own sales and coupons, so I'm not sure why I would be upset about that? I provide a thank you coupon. And a free shipping coupon for orders over $50. I thought this is considered good customer service?

The only two I'm wth about are #1 because a) we can't contact people who favorite our items since you know, spam, b) we can't see what people put in their carts till the check out, and #9. I'm not one to do trades, unless if its a really great chances to work with someone who has a great following, but for them, since I have few followers, it won't work out for them.

[LovgrenandDaughter]

The spamming options and the cart is silly. If you want to buy in bulk - depending on where the bottom line falls, I would consider it. Cheapest is cheapest. but that's what ebay was for....coupon codes maybe. I use coupon codes on the sites we advertise on off Etsy. So if they wrote and wanted a coupon I would tell them to use one of those.

@Christian, what bothers you? the "hustle" or negoiation? News outlets tend to do these stories around the holidays too. They tell you to ask for a discount at a major retail store. Thanks to a full life, I have been asked when I worked in retail. The answer is no. But we can all waste time to wait for the manager to tell you "no" too.

No way would I just lower the prices for one minor sale. First, it wastes time and energy and in my experience even then there are problems. I think that customer type is one who really needs attention. The whole "pay attention to smart me" asking for a discount. It doesn't turn out well.

I did a wholesale job for less than I should have. Only the next time the customer asked for a little more and then shipping to be lower. Even when I printed out the postal services' rates and sent them as proof. The business relationship didn't last long and we opted out. In my experience it starts as a pain in the neck continues and multiplies to a bigger one.

[TwistedKnickersInc]

I don't think my target market takes advice from Buzz Feed :) My buyers are well educated and appreciate that quality and uniqueness comes in different price ranges and locations.
At least the author didn't point buyers away from Etsy by stating that a lot of the really good deals can be bought in bulk elsewhere, for even cheaper. Now that would cause a real shake up for some "handmade" shops.

[XbyAB]

I wouldn't worry about that article. Most shoppers know about search and I think there are although people out there who start there price range search not with 3$ or lowest price. Because they don't want the really cheap things.
And if a costumer has an eye on one of you items and ask you for a better price, hey than you have a conversation going on. I would tell him why my price has that price and why my item is special. And that in a friendly way. It worked for me on markets, here on etsy I haven't had any sales jet.

[Former_Member]

I like the input! I think this article is very interesting because it is pretty irrelevant. The points were either obvious or they weren't a possibility for customer or shop owner.

What bothered me most is the author speaking for all other shops by saying we would be more than likely to do those things. I wish she spoke for her own shop if it were even right to post in the first place. I don't want her to delete it, but I do think it would behoove her to say something in regards to the comments below.

I think her post does effect our success because she has made a blanket statement about Etsy sellers being willing to negotiate, which plants expectations in the customer community. Luckily, there are enough people out there that shop Etsy regardless of price because they expect and receive quality.

[WoodBeJewels]

The article doesn't affect me at all. I'm an Etsy seller and avid buyer. I buy bags, shoes, dresses and tops etc etc. from sellers that I've made a connection with, whose designs I really like. I know I could buy these things at half or a fourth of the price in the Mall, but I buy them here because I support Etsy's "movement" and what they're trying to build.

[Former_Member]

Bleh...I didn't learn anything that a savvy shopper wouldn't already know. As to coupon codes....I've posted them before in my banner, in my shop announcement and give them to customers and only had one used from a banner and only about 1/3 of the repeat customers remember to use them. I don't negotiate for a lower price and have never been asked.

[Former_Member]

Most Etsy shoppers come to this site because they seek a unique item. And I find that people purchase what they want when they want it no matter the price. If you decide to offer any type of discount that's your choice and I think that works differently for each of us.

[RomaMiaTradingCo]

Yeah, I don't see how this article helps promote a negotiating atmosphere. I don't think many people come to Etsy and think, "Hey! Negotiate!" I think they have the mindset like they would go to amazon, and know that the prices are set. The only time I would expect negotiation is on Ebay.

Its a fact that smart or savvy sellers use the tools that are given to them. Etsy allows us to use coupon codes. We have social media at our disposal. The writer is simply pointing out the fact that sellers do use social media for sales, hence helping them to be savvy shoppers.

This article can be easily written as a general onine shopping how to just for the fact that just about every website has these features (maybe not the shop local option).