How do you handle donation requests?

[#1]

I was wondering how other folks handle donation request convos? I got one this week from a woman putting together a care Package for her friend's daughter with terminal cancer. She asked me to donate one of my heating pads. I wrote her back and said ok if she would cover the shipping. She said no problem and wanted to make sure she was going to get the one she sent me the link for because that was the one she really liked. I wrote back and told her no that she would receive the design that I have reserved for donations but offered her a 10% off coupon if she would like to purchase the design she liked. Haven't heard anything back. I am starting to think this person is just a spammer looking for free stuff. Beggars can't be choosers right?

What do you think? How do you handle donation requests?

[MythOfTheWild]

People do that, unfortunately. I have been asked to do 3 give aways. I did the first two quite happily because they were polite people who never asked for a specific piece. Then I got a message from another girl who didn't give me a blog address, and told me outright which piece she wanted. I told her politely that if I were to sponsor another giveaway, I would choose the piece (only the polite ones get the choose for themselves, and they never pick the most expensive item, nor the cheapest, so that suits me fine), and that either way, I was done with giveaways for the rest of the year, as I already had my last one booked up, as I don't want to do anymore than 5 or 6 a year. When the last giveaway went live she contacted me again (about a month and a half after the first contact) and asked if she could have the piece.

I also think that if someone was putting together a care package they would buy the items themselves? I would, at the very least. Most sellers on Etsy can't afford to just give things away for free.

I admire the way you handled it though. Firmly saying that you would donate the piece you wanted to donate, but adding in a 10% off coupon for the piece they originally wanted ^^

But I think I know why people try to take advantage of sellers on here like that. Etsy encourages us to be people, not to be companies, and I can totally see why. I'm more inclined to buy from a lovely polite person than I am an angry or snarky one, regardless of quality of goods, and if the individual uses words like "we" or "our" when they're really only one person, I'm even less likely, unless I love the product and it truly is one of a kind :P. Unfortunately, because we come across as individuals so well, we're more easily manipulated, and a story like "putting a care package together for my daughter who has terminal cancer" is a great way to get us. Because we care.


Anyway, as I said, you handled it fantastically ^^ I tip my hat to you. *runs off to find a hat to tip*

[MythOfTheWild]

Wow you're all talking about charity donations? That's never occurred to me! But where do you start with reaching out directly to the charities? This sounds like it could totally be up my street :D

[Former_Member]

I agree, this one seems a scam.

I actually started a discussion on a better way to give. I suggest we should have something similar to coupons but for donations. Helping should be safe and respectful for the beneficiary as well as the benefactor.

Let me know your thoughts on this idea:

http://www.etsy.com/teams/5002/etsy-success/discuss/9025979/page/1/

Thanks for sharing your experiences!

[Former_Member]

honestly.. I wouldn't feel comfortable to donate to an individuals online that I don't know and I haven't spoken 2 before.. I rather donate to people I know or to known organizations for known causes

[PearlesPainting]

I only donate pieces to Charity events locally...never online.
I think it is strange to be contacted by somebody I have never met before asking for something from my Etsy shop.
I did offer 30% off on a large order for Autism Awareness which I fulfilled...But I wouldn't do it for Free.

[Former_Member]

I haven't done any on line charities, but I do work with my Husband's Family Readiness Group. I just made and donated a quilt to them. Make sure you also keep track of everything. I made a special form I use for donations that include the product, cost and the tax ID number or the organization.

[spiritbearbeads]

My dilemma here is that Etsy basically “requires” you to repond to ALl convos to keep your star seller score..wether you want to or not…. I recently recieved a request for donations for a childs medical bills… pulling on Heartstrings there.    I simply sent back “God bless you” and left it at that..  But I do like the “I only donate to local charity only” answer.

[uniqueitems4826]

• https://www.etsy.com/de-en/listing/1550072009/customized-damascus-kitchen-knife-set?ref=listings_man...