What Is Up With Getting A 10% Off Coupon When I Favorited An Item?

[Former_Member]

I hearted one of someone's items the other day and then I received an email saying that I have a 10% off coupon for hearting one of the items. Is there a benefit to doing this when someone favorites your items or shop? I had just read in the etsy do's and don'ts that is considered spam! For me personally it was a huge turn off for the person to do that. What do you all think?

[ForgottenCotton]

If I see that someone has favorited 3 or more of my items I will send them a thank you for visiting my shop- here is 10% off. I have gotten 2-3 sales out of this. I only do it if the person has liked a bunch of things in my shop. I feel its not spam but an extra incentive to buy. I didn't know it was considered spam! I have only done it a few times but it seemed to work and create a line of dialogue between the buyer and myself

[Former_Member]

Yes it's against the TOU...

[Former_Member]

Having said that I personally like incentives!!! ;0)

[WrappedbyDesign]

I love it when sellers do this, if I'm looking to buy something and then I'm offered a discount, well, how could I not be happy with a discount? But, as you said, it is against Etsy terms and considered spam.

I think there are many sellers out there who haven't read Etsy's terms (or simply choose to ignore them) because I find it's quite common for sellers to do this, particularly with supplies.

[MidnightCreations]

This is the probably the number one reason some keep their favorite lists private. Yes, this is specifically against the TOU and you could lose your ability to send convos.

[CurlyFernCeramics]

How in the world is this wrong? Etsy lists the ten percent off as an option for sellers to offer their customers who put stuff in their cart.

[Former_Member]

Personally I don't like it and it is against the tou, but some people like it and i've heard people getting great results from it. As it's against the rules, maybe it's best to use facebook and Twitter for that kind of promotional discount.
I usually include a discount coupon code in with orders when shipping them too.

[ForgottenCotton]

All good things to know.

[Former_Member]

That is SO against the TOU and I report people who do that to me.

You must not use Conversations to send unsolicited advertising or promotions, requests for donations or "spam."
If someone hearts your shop/item to mark it as a Favorite, that is not an invitation to send a Conversation to that person

Be careful if you send those coupon codes - you're setting yourself up to get your access to your convos suspended.

[ForgottenCotton]

I did because people did it to me and I thought it was really nice but there we go- get the etsy police on the phone- better stop that!

I would never ever report any one for doing this but I will not do this in the future. Thanks for the advice- Good question Belva

[Former_Member]

It depends on my mood, to be honest - most of the time I just delete them, but I do not like receiving them. I feel it necessary to follow the TOU, since it's there. I've also gotten harassing convos from people informing me of what's WRONG with my shop. So I'm a tad sensitive to it.

I've also been here three years, so I'm not quite as newbie as this shop makes me look.

[CatherinePicone]

Maybe the person is new and just didn't know any better. Yes, it's against the rules, but some folks are so overwhelmed with all the rules when they start a shop, they just don't catch every one of them. I'm glad I knew that particular rule before I received my first "favorite" from someone, because I would have been so grateful, I probably would have sent him or her a big thank you....and would have been turned in for breaking the rules. :(

[Former_Member]

Honestly I do treasuries all the time and do a lot of favoritng because I truly like the item as well as making it easier to do a treasury!! If you look at my favorites which aren't private, I have a ton of them and this was the first time this has happened. I favorited somethings in a treasury I was in to promote others and one of the other people included in the treasury sent it. I'm not reporting anyone at this point to etsy. I'm just voicing my irritation about the situation. I had items in my store (3) to be exact that were sold and still listed. I contacted etsy regarding my shop name and they swooped in and took those out of my shop and told me to not list sold items and why. They did it nicely and I was honestly totally unaware that you couldn't do it. I read the etsy rules but I only take in so many things at once so I have to reread! Some do it out of complete lack of knowledge while some do it because they want to. Whatever the reason, I just happen to be someone that doesn't like it where others may!! So that my 2 cents, now can I get my change? Lol

[Former_Member]

Huh. I have never done it , but the one time it was done to me I purchased the item...
Wonder why it is against the rules?

[Former_Member]

I've had that happen a few times, and it was a turn off for me as well. I feel like if you want to offer a promotion for people that visit your shop, you can post a coupon code on your shop or item listings.

I've had people message me to give me props on my photography though and offer me kind comments, and I'll usually offer them a coupon code for making my day, but I never message someone first offering them a coupon code since I know that's against the Etsy rules.

Having said that, I wouldn't go as far as reporting someone for sending me a coupon code, that seems kind of harsh and mean if they're just trying to make some sales. If it bother's you that much, try writing to them instead offering a different way to promote.

[perpetualposy]

It's all about promotion. I don't understand why this is considered spam. I have never done it with my shop because it is against the rules, but it is no different than walking into a store and someone handing you a flyer, as you walk in or leave, for all of the store specials and coupons. Who doesn't like that? We need to promote all we can and I don't understand why a potential customer that has favorited a few of your things and is obviously interested in your shop, would get offended?????

[WrappedbyDesign]

perpetualposy, I agree with you. Well said.

[Former_Member]

I have received an email also offering a discount twice now... If I had any money at the moment I might've taken them up on the discount...

Since the Etsy Success and holiday boot camp I have sent out coupon codes to people who have bought items and left feedback but only because it was mentioned within the Etsy boot camp that it's a nice incentive for returning buyers...

But would never send out a coupon just for someone liking some items in my shop, some people have favourited lots of my items, mostly made to order items and tbh as my prices are low anyway, they aren't really breaking the bank unless it's a special item I have in store such as furnishings and my one off print designs... I don't think people need an incentive to buy from me, just the money and someone to buy for...

Sometimes offering a coupon code suggests you are trying to pressure people into buying from you...

Oh a similar topic, I also had an email offering discount for adding someone to their circle, would this also be considered against TOU as I then did the same thing but tbh it seems a ridiculously long and tiring thing to do as what if you have thousands??? lol

[perpetualposy]

Thanks Jacqueline....I find nothing wrong with giving someone a coupon.
They don't have to use it, it's their choice.

[Untwistedsister]

I even thought it was againt TOU to contact people after a sale is completed for promotion unless they have signed up with you for further emails. That's one of the reasons so many are upset at Etsy now going to email our customers with promotions.

[TreasuresOfGrace]

Truthfully, I think the whole thing is ridiculous. These rules are so strict that when I first opened my shop and wanted to request a special order from a shop, I was afraid to convo them (therefore they almost didn't get an order). Another time I was so apologetic and afraid to convo someone to ask for assistance, even though they said it was ok in a discussion, because I was afraid to offend them with all these nit picky rules. I have a yahoo email that gets spam all the time. So what, I just delete it or move it to the spam folder. Not a big deal. I think if someone has any contact with your shop (yes including favorites), you should be able to convo them. It is then up to that person who receives the email to decide what they do with their email. JMHO.

[TheWildRoses]

And what about all the BNR and BNS treasuries where shops request that you fav and re-fav, etc.?

[TreasuresOfGrace]

Oh, I didn't know they did that since I don't yet know what a BNR and BNS is. I guess I'm still too green to get it all yet, but I'm learning.

[Former_Member]

Wow I've been sending thank you coupons for awhile now! I had no idea it was against the rules. That seems silly. If someone favorite's a product of mine, that's like opening up the door for a conversation. That's a sales lead. geez.

Honestly, I've sent out hundreds of 25% off thank you coupons and it has only sparked only one sale anyway. Guess it's time to put that energy into other projects.