Your Experience

[Former_Member]

I'm just curious on what you guys have experienced on Etsy. Your highs, and your lows. I'd love to hear how you guys are experiencing Etsy. Everyone has a different story, why not share it so we can learn from others.

[RadicalWorks]

Um...I don't have too many experiences with "Etsy" on the count that I consider Etsy to be a venue for my business. Otherwise, my 5 years of experience as a business owner is a long story.

[Former_Member]

I have been a buyer on etsy for years and have only had good experiences. So far as a seller I have had the same other then having to learn to be patient.

[ashleynchl]

I've been a buyer and a seller on Etsy for about the same amount of time (2 years). As a buyer, I've never really had a "bad experience". All of the sellers I've ever done business with have always been great and I've never received an item that I didn't absolutely love. As a seller, I've had my ups and downs. There have been busy times and there have been super slow times (like right now) but like LaDonna said... You have to learn to be patient.

[Orchiada]

I love etsy, from the site itself and the way it is set up to the support, the information, the labs the newsletters, well pretty much I have loved etsy from the start. I think my only disappointment is how slow my business is. I am in a very saturated market, jewelry making. I know I have a quality product love what I dream of and create and love for others to see it, but still it has been very very slow. I am working on very hard on promotion and advertising and being very active on the teams and faving and treasuring etc..... and Ihave gotten tons and tons of awesome comments and people say my jewelry is very pretty and quality. The buyers that I do have have left good feedback and have even in our team threads told others how much they love my jewelry and how the highly recommend that people visit my shop and buy from me................... but still business is crazy slow. I am trying to be patient, and work with the limited time i do have, since I work a "day job". I look fwd to the day and am very optimistic that it will come when i can do etsy fulltime. I do not compete with other sellers, and do not try to base my prices on them and their products because we all have a our own special talent. I know what I offer and make, I know my brand and plan to work it to a success! I am glad there is a forum and marketplace like etsy for people like me :)

[SnarkFactory]

I love everything about Etsy! It's more than just consumerism here, there's a sense of community and camaraderie that's different from anything I've experienced. Etsy admin literally give you every resource they can to help you flourish and cheer you on every step of the way. There's always something here that keeps the "inspiration" flame lit. It's clear they work very hard to keep this website and the shops unique and special. I like how the customers notice and appreciate the small things, like pretty packaging and handwritten thank yous. As an artist, it's amazing to know that there's a place where my items are sincerely WANTED even though they aren't needed. Being a shop owner has helped me grow so much as an artist in such a short time and i'm absolutely thrilled. As a buyer, I haven't purchased many things yet, but I like that it feels personal. I enjoy watching my little art collection grow to include pieces from all around the world!

At times Etsy has intimidated me, but for every moment I've felt upset or discouraged, there's two moments where I feel excited and delighted!

[Former_Member]

I like Etsy because it has allowed me to grow my business at the speed I need it too so that I still have time for my husband, family, volunteer work and substitute teaching.

[LeeliaSupplyVintage]

I love Etsy because it helps me to increase my creativity that I always had, but never had a chance to display and promote. I have learned many new things about on-line selling and promotion and have become more confident with my items and my shop along the way. It is so much easier to sell an item when a person sees it in real life, so I enjoy the challenge of creating the right items to attract buyers via Etsy.

There is so much information available that it is literally not possible to take everything in all at once. I work full time, so this is a great relaxation hobby for me at the end of the day or on the weekend...love it!

[GabriellasTreasures]

I love being on Etsy. I'm here 1 1/2 years, have met such nice sellers who have helped me so much to learn my way around Etsyville.

I have had only great experience buying here from friendly sellers, and I love my customers who are so appreciative of good customer service!

This has been my life long dream to sell vintage,,, so glad I found Etsy!

[Former_Member]

I think Etsy is terrific! It has helped supplement my income and make it possible for me to stay above water. I love all the input and help that is available on each site. Etsy if full of tips and encouragement to help you succeed. Etsy is a fantastic resource and a wonderful family!!!

[Former_Member]

I've been in business for myself for quite a number of years and Etsy is a part of my current business plan.

If you have a good overall plan and direction that you want to go in, you can thrive on pretty much any site.

However, Etsy does provide you with many tools for making selling that much easier if you are willing to do the work.

I really appreciate the 'handmade' aspect of Etsy but its getting to the point now where so many people feel that they can use Etsy to trade of someone else's name. That type of seller really doesn't belong here.

[SanaGem]

I have been here for around 7 months as a seller and, I would say as a student. Still amazes me how many things I learn every day! Etsy provides us with priceless tools and resources to build our business, expand our knowledge and develop the best in us as creative people. You may laugh, I now walk on the street, look at passers by clothes and think treasuries and trendy colours! It is not going nuts, it is exercising taste and sense of colour! :))))

I love the spirit of Etsy community, thank you all!

[Former_Member]

although I haven't had my shop for long, I've already grown to love Etsy. I can create with my hearts content and someone will always love what I do. The support, encouragement and sharing of information is amazing.