is it just me??

[#1]

I continue to be surprised at how many sellers will send a message (even one of thanks) simply from my favoriting their item or shop. I posted a thread about this a good while ago and its happened more lately than ever. I have heard from many people its a no no. I find it perplexing. I have never and would never do that, even though I am quite thankful. I think its enough to (if it strikes my fancy) click on their shop and favorite an item I like, and or their shop. I need to hear what other people think about this...please share your thoughts
-erin

[WilliamsGiftshop]

I've been getting lots of those too lately.
I delete them.
I have no problem with a sincere thank you.
But I dislike the spam that often follows.
I had one recently that urged me to promote her shop on FB, Twitter, Pinterest and my blog. Excuse me?
(By they way: I don't have a blog and I don't do social networking sites...)

[Former_Member]

I just make sure to check out their shop and items and find something to heart as well, after all, they are bringing attention to my shop, one good turn deserves another.

I remember about a week ago I found this beautiful felted coat that was breath taking... I had to reach out and say so, also that I thought she was so very talented.... Now Im hoping I didnt do something wrong! LOL I really was totally giving her props and wanted nothing more.

[WilliamsGiftshop]

Dawn, I do that all of the time.
Giving sincere compliments isn't spamming.

[FelixFunhouse]

I did it like twice when I first opened my shop in april, then luckily found the forums and read a thread the next day about spamming. I hadn't even thought of it that way!

I don't mind treasury messages though, because I sometimes don't notice them. I wish we just could tick a box to be notified via email when added to a treasury.

[AGlassofHarmony]

I have never heard of convo for a fave, but I did get one this week and thought of it as a nice gesture, but odd.

When someone faves my shop, I usually just fave theirs back. I am pretty new as well and as far as a treasury goes, I had no idea that there weren't any notifications. I have been featured twice this week and nothing ever showed in my stats so I truly appreciated when I recieved the convos.

I went back through my treasuries and contacted each featured in mine and the stats went up real quick. I think that not only does it make a difference, but it is very welcomed.

[Former_Member]

you have all made very good points! I adore this team for its adversity. we are from all over the world! it does seem to be a complicated issue. I am truly thankful when someone likes my item enough to favorite it. I personally favorite for many different reasons. BeaG-you hit it on the head. its not the thank you that rubbed me the wrong way, and I didn't pin point what did until your post, almost each one does sneak in that bit of spam, its either a coupon code or facebook or something. and that is tacky, period. someone recently even prompted me to buy something in their shop for a discount because it would be expiring soon. I nicely declined but was taken aback. I would never ever ever do that. I am not the type to report someone unless they do something mean or cruel, or really against the rules. I made this thread, as I said, simply to hear some other thoughts and opinions on something, a bit taboo it seems. I certainly have. and yes the treasuries are a wholly other subject.
thanks y'all :)

[TheRoamingPeddlers]

Been skimming through this thread and there's lots of interesting viewpoints! Just a question, though---what is Shmetsy? I like the idea of sending out a bulk convo to Etsy sellers who I include in my treasuries, but don't know how.
----Krystal

[Former_Member]

I agree, Marie. I am flattered to hear that someone chose something of mine to add to a treasury and would never be annoyed to be notified of it. When this has happened, I'll send a quick message back thanking them for doing it because it's getting my items more exposure.

[DMPCreations]

I am soooo happy for your post as I didn’t know proper Etsy etiquette for favorites, I’ve never sent an email to thank anyone but have always wondered if I should… so now I know :)

As for treasuries, I’ve seen shop owners just comment on the treasury itself. I’ve never been fortunate to be featured in one, however I did just create my first treasury this weekend, so maybe I should send the owners a message.

[ferrytalesgifts]

I appreciate the notification. I, too, check them out, comment and promote. Lots of times I find some fabulous shops that I'd never seen before and probably would not have if I hadn't been notified re: treasury inclusion.

[loveofdrawing]

I think its a nice gesture and can lead to networking and getting to know another great seller!

[Former_Member]

I joined Shop Stats Improvements team and the treasury shows up on my stats page. I do hope they keep this feature, it's very convenient. I don't notify people who favorite my items or store, or when I put them in treasuries.
__________________________________________________________

I joined this team too and I can see where and what shows up in treasuries...it's pretty cool. I've never gotten a convo about favoriting anything. I do get them for treasuries...but usually don't respond back. I will go to the treasury itself and say thanks for including my work. If I wasn't part of the shop stats team...it would be nice to know if something of mine was featured. I will say, I've been really bummed to see a convo notification...and it's not a potential sale.

[Former_Member]

I never look at my activity feed anymore, I check my shop stats to see what's beeing fav'd and go from there. I do appreciate a quick note that I've been featured, but sometimes I also think it's a greedy grab for more comments..... Most times I try to pop in and say something, but sometimes I have too much going on! I suspect that the ones sending convos are more new sellers, as when I was new sometimes I would just sit & watch my Etsy, thinking 'what do I DO?!?' Now I go 'post, send out, check shops, post, check stats, post, package, post.....'

[GodivasJewelryBox]

Is it considered spam or bad taste to send coupons and notifications of sales to previous customers by convo?

I just wanted to bring them back to my shop.

What do you think?

[Former_Member]

I haven't had a lot of things favorited (I'm very new), but I wouldn't have thougt it necessary to send a message for favoriting an item. I have checked out the stores of those who have favorited an item in my shop and favorited items in their shop and added some to my circle.

[Former_Member]

I am not sure if its considered spam or not, but I have a feeling it is. im thinking in order for it not to be, you need to give them the option of saying whether or not they want to receive any further notifcations. how exactly to go about that, I will be honest, I just don't know. I have been brainstorming about it since I opened my shop. the best idea ive had so far, is "rack cards" (kinda like a 1 sided brochure) I had printed that says "thank you" and has a bit of history about my shop as well as a return coupon code and my email and some other information. it hasn't brought any return business yet..

[lewisandbucky]

I did it when I was brand new here and before I read in the forums that it was a no-no. I was just so dang excited that someone liked my headbands! :) but I certainly see how it can be annoying, so as soon as I heard, I stopped doing so immediately...

[GodivasJewelryBox]

I googled Shmetsy and here is the link:

http://www.shmetsy.com/

can't wait to try it, hope it works

[TheRoamingPeddlers]

Yes! Finally someone cares! Didn't think to google it---silly me :) Thanks Robin!

[Former_Member]

I always appreciate someone letting me know I am in their treasury.

[Former_Member]

I don't mind!

[Former_Member]

I don't do it. Honestly I don't have the time anyway.

I do get a few thanking me for liking an item or shop and they send me a coupon.

I don't mind getting the treasury emails as I also miss the stuff in my feed sometimes.

[Former_Member]

I still find it pleasant. I think I commented in your last thread and was told I was wrong more or less but I just think its a nice courtesey.

[Former_Member]

I don't always believe in following rules or etiquette. I very much respect that you are all honest, and don't go with the majority :) I don't have the heart to tell a single one of these people/sellers that its against the rules. I am always left with conflicting feelings. I do think its nice to take the time to show thanks, I don't like the suggestion of coupons/facebook/blog etc, as those are almost always in the shop announcement already. that's the spammy part that made me create this (and the first) thread, for discussion. its a very discussable topic, and ive really enjoyed eveyones viewpoints!!
:)

[Former_Member]

Erin,
I think newbie's haven't read ALL the etys TOU's. They may think that replying to a heart or circle needs attention. Or they may believe that a convo of thanks means you'll return to heart or circle their shop.

Many new etsy seller's are so desperate to have attention they will go to any length to draw attention to their shops.