what to do...

[#1]

given the post etsy admin put out "advising" sellers not to do a collective shop like we are working on, what do you all think is the best route to take with this?

[4GetMeNotTreasures]

LOL Colleen.....yep - you did.....

but without all of their rules (that say we CAN) taking up all the space that my posts did :)

I just wanted things to be perfectly clear.

No ambiguity on my end.

I read their rules

and posted them

now....I'll wait...again... some more....

[TimeAndAgainFashions]

Kudos to all for "putting up a good fight". Amazing to me that Etsy is choosing to act on some non-existent rules and possibly dis-allow the creation of a collective shop. The enforcement of TOU violations here seems arbitrary and random. Frustrating!!!!

[Former_Member]

I have curated yet another treasury with products from various shops thata re donating.
http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4d805a27fdaf6d91471cb70b/japan-we-are-with-you

In the JFJ blog, http://joyforjapan.blogspot.com, I have started posting links to various shops and specific items that are being donated to raise funds. I will be including more links and updating the posts constantly.

If anyone wants to post in the blog convo me and I will send you an invite to your mail id. And include the blog link in all your promotions.

[Former_Member]

Thanks for keeping the fires burning here, guys. I've been following along and am astonished that Etsy hasn't stepped up to the plate, even if only to give us a reason for their obstinance.

I agree that this is completely unacceptable. It would be one thing if another effort similar in scope to a centralized charitable Etsy shop existed elsewhere but so far all I have seen around the web are smaller, mainly individual efforts that, though commendable, simply cannot have the effect of a collective effort.

What is really going on, Etsy?

[4GetMeNotTreasures]

Almost noon Etsy time..... and nothing.

Ok then.... means it's time for me to start really moving on this.

Japan doesn't have the time to waste - and quite frankly neither do I (and many other folks, I'm sure.)

I WILL get an answer on this - even if I have to go to Brooklyn personally to get one. And, yes. I CAN do that & will if I have to.

This is utterly ridiculous that a community-wide effort is taking this long to get off the ground. I've planned events for hundreds...even thousands, that haven't taken this long -- and with a smaller group of people willing to help - & more potential "issues" than this.

I'm sorry Lisa. I'm not trying to shoot the messenger here - or diminish any work you've done. But, it's blatantly obvious that a fire needs to be lit under someone's butt over there. Who? I don't know. But, I'll find out.

[4GetMeNotTreasures]

TimeAndAgainFashions says

Kudos to all for "putting up a good fight". Amazing to me that Etsy is choosing to act on some non-existent rules and possibly dis-allow the creation of a collective shop. The enforcement of TOU violations here seems arbitrary and random. Frustrating!!!!
---------
Thanks dear. And, I agree.

At this point - though I am still extremely strong on the collective shop, I don't care what it IS *we* do - as long as it is an effective community-wide collective effort that will raise a lot of money to help the victims of this disaster.

I expect this bureaucratic red tape from governments - I don't expect it from Etsy.

And now it's time to get to the bottom of this - so we can start moving forward. It's almost a week, for crap sake.

[4GetMeNotTreasures]

exlibrishandmade says

Thanks for keeping the fires burning here, guys. I've been following along and am astonished that Etsy hasn't stepped up to the plate, even if only to give us a reason for their obstinance.

I agree that this is completely unacceptable. It would be one thing if another effort similar in scope to a centralized charitable Etsy shop existed elsewhere but so far all I have seen around the web are smaller, mainly individual efforts that, though commendable, simply cannot have the effect of a collective effort.

What is really going on, Etsy?
------
Victoria - I so agree here. SOOOOO agree!

[Former_Member]

Go Dee!!! :)

[4GetMeNotTreasures]

LOL Colleen :D

have a pot of coffee on the back burner for me, will ya?!

[TimeAndAgainFashions]

(((dee and victoria))))

I am astounded that the current FP, while beautiful and meaningful...contains items in total violation of etsy's stated charity listings policies. I spot checked 5 listings....3 didn't even state WHICH Japan relief charity the $$$ would go to. NONE had any link to a letter authorizing the seller to collect on behalf of the charity.

I got so angry I had to go for a short walk. In the rain.....

What about a BIG CARTEL shop, like the one opened for Lucinda???? What about a shop on another venue (AF???)

This is absolutely UNACCEPTABLE---and maybe Etsy doesn't "deserve" the fees that a shop here would generate!!!!!!!

hfh 2600 items x .20 = $520
rough $33,800 x 3.5% = $1183

[Former_Member]

I have thought the same things timeandagainfashions!

[TimeAndAgainFashions]

More and more treasuries....I guess this is Etsy's answer!!!!

I am sure that most (if not all) of the sellers will do the right thing with the funds. But it is in clear violation of Etsy's stated, and quoted TOU.

So unbelievable!!!

[TimeAndAgainFashions]

(the unbelievable part being that it's being so blatantly promoted....which makes everyone think it is A-OK)

[4GetMeNotTreasures]

((((TimeandAgain))))

Thank you :)

I know & had a feeling that would happen with the treasuries. And, I have consistently TRIED to tell that to Lisa...and the other Admin - but...seems like everything I say is falling on deaf ears there.

However, I will say - that I truly believe that those folks don't even realize there ARE rules....which is the sad thing. It amazes me how Etsy is claiming that one of the reasons they don't want a collective shop to open is to "protect the sellers involved" - but yet....they did not take the precautionary measures to CLEARLY tell sellers to be sure to secure permission so they (the seller) don't get in trouble by the charity. And, in assisting them...by putting these treasuries on the front page - they are making it easy for the scouts to find these folks. And again - I genuinely think that all those sellers plan on doing the right thing -- but.....

As for an off-Etsy shop -- it could work...but would be a lot more work on the promo front. It would basically be a stand-alone shop. In other words - we can't promote off-Etsy shops ON Etsy. So - that alone makes it that much more difficult. (And...I can't speak on behalf of any of those shops -- I know nothing...Etsy is all I know. Other than purchasing from Helping Hearts)

Lucinda's - was unique, which is why it did so well. First, she was very well known here in the forums & because they couldn't open a shop here (cause she wasn't a "recognized 501C or equivalent" charity) - Etsy did bend the rules a bit by allowing it to be "mentioned" here and there.
And, Lucinda was one of the Admin over at UEF - so...there was a HUGE amount of support there. UEF is closing at the end of this week - so, it wouldn't really be able to benefit us in the way of promoting.
(the ONE good thing that came out of Etsy's privacy screw up yesterday - was that I was all over the universe trying to find out what was happening.)

I'll be contacting you on some stuff in a little bit though. I just need to catch up on all these threads....and convos!

[TimeAndAgainFashions]

uuummm...not sure if this is relevant, timely, or NOT...BUT, UEF is NOT closing:

Announcement: UEF IS STAYING (Read 1,478 times)
Admin
Administrator
*****

[avatar]



Joined: Jan 2011

UEF IS STAYING
« Thread Started Yesterday at 1:40pm »
Hello All

Thank you so much for your patience, and sorry for keeping you in suspense.

I am very very happy to announce that UEF is staying. We have accepted an offer for a new administrator who will manage the forums just as they are, here. Our new admin will be Ten. She is an active member here and has run her own Proboard for five years, so she has great experience. The current moderator team will also be staying on board.

So what does this mean for you? Basically that very little will change. After a transition period, Keith and Kathleen and I will be taking off our administrator hats and reverting to regular membership. The actual administrative hand-over is tentatively scheduled for this Sunday, and we'll post a little good-bye at that time.

We'd like to thank everyone who has offered to help in some respect, whether it be by making alternate forums or volunteering their time. We think that for right now, this is the best possible solution involving virtually no disruption to the community.

On the side there is a phpBB platform forum called theunofficialetsyforums.com that is being developed for a possible future migration. It is a superior, more flexible platform than Proboards so we're keeping it handy. It is the only other forum which we have given our name to, any other venue using our name is doing so without our consent and against our wishes. Again, nothing will change about the current UEF Proboards forum.

We offer our apologies for the confusion over the past few days, and we're sorry for causing any unhappiness or upset by announcing the closure. It has been a confusing and challenging time for us as well. But we hope we are making you happy with this choice, as we are very happy about it ourselves.

Welcome back!
Link to Post - Back to Top IP: Logged
No Etsian left behind.
http://unofficialetsyforums.com

Read more: http://unofficialetsyforums.com/index.cgi?board=sitehelp&action=display&thread=3750#ixzz1Gpm9Pgmq
***

I have NOT been an active member of UEF, but did a quick search to get the latest info. If it is WRONG, do let me know.

[4GetMeNotTreasures]

TimeAndAgain - that is GREAT news!!! And I don't see any reason that it wouldn't be accurate. I've never signed up for there...it's on the to-do list -- but I did visit the other day, Tuesday & saw the announcement that they were closing. The post you posted is dated yesterday -- so your news is much more recent than mine! (now - I need to put joining there back on the list!)

Thanks for letting us know!

[4GetMeNotTreasures]

And....I heard from lisajune today - we have an answer. I asked her if it was ok to post her response here -- for clarity sake -- and she's fine with it. (Remember, this is in response to my previous posts to her.)

Soooooo - happy reading!

Hi,

I'm sorry it's taken me so long to get back to you. I wanted to confer with our Content team to get as much information for you as I can. As I'm sure is obvious, this is a complex question from a policy standpoint. Running a shop for charity with multiple people is, on Etsy, functionally problematic.

That said, as you outlined, if you comply with our policies on collectives and charitable listings you can, within our policies, run a collective shop that donates it's proceeds to charity.

However, as noted in our policies, 'f your shop is a collective, you must comply with all of Etsy's policies, including these additional policies specifically for collectives:

* A collective may not be an entity that represents multiple artists by contract (for example: a gallery, a consignment shop, an art agency/dealer).
* Because of the laws concerning charitable fundraising, a charitable collective shop must comply with Etsy's Charitable listings and shops policies.
* The Public Profile page for the account must fully disclose accurate information about each person, their role in the Etsy shop and the relationships between the members of the collective. Etsy may ask for additional information and require that the shop comply with additional requirements.
* The individual who registers the account is responsible for all activities of the account, the bill and any transactions. This includes participation in community features of the site.
* All standard listing policies (see Shops and Listings) apply to collective Etsy shops. All handmade items must be created by members of the collective.

Members who do not comply with Etsy's policies may be subject to review, which can result in suspension of account privileges and/or termination. Suspended or terminated members remain obligated to pay Etsy for all unpaid fees per our Terms of Use. If any of Etsy's policies are violated by a member of a collective, all accounts registered to members of the collective are subject to suspension of privileges and/or account termination.

We want your use of Etsy to be positive! We want to help efforts in Japan. Know you are welcome to host a shop a collective shop for a charitable cause if you comply with all of our policies.

When you have your shop ready to sell, if you'd like to confirm it's compliance with our policies, you can ask our Content team to check it out. E-mail them at content@etsy.com, attn: Mark S.

I hope you've had a chance to see our update on this topic here: www.etsy.com/storque/community-stories/thinking-of-japan-12478/?ref=community...

Please let me know if you have any other questions about this. I'm here to be a resource for you.


Lisa
17 March 2011 2:54pm EDT

[Former_Member]

Cool! Thanks for sharing Dee! What now? :)

[FineFashionsbyLinda]

Hi Colleen and everyone else.

I decided the easiest way to stay in the loop was to join the team. I'd just caught up with all the threads this afternoon.

Looking forward to this going ahead now then. Great news:)
Linda

[cindylouwho2]

re-marking so I can donate something if this goes through

[Former_Member]

Has anybody donated to the LoveForJapan shop? Or talked to them?

[Former_Member]

fuzzysushi says

Has anybody donated to the LoveForJapan shop? Or talked to them?

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I think 4getmenot was talking to them- since they are up and running already. But that's all I know :)

[FineFashionsbyLinda]

Love your new avi Five:)

So the shop is going to be called LoveForJapan, not JoyForJapan?
Do you have a link to the shop?

[cindylouwho2]

Love For Japan is a different shop:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/loveforjapan

[FineFashionsbyLinda]

Hi Cindy. Thanks for that info.
Thought I was catching up with these threads but now I am confused.
So this shop is already up and running by somebody else?