Buyer cannot check out, says link is bad?

[4HeartsPaperCraftCo]

Hello! Twice this week I have had buyers reach out and say that they cannot check out due to a 'bad link" The first time I sent them a custom invoice and that worked. But this time it does not. Any advice?

[HouseofWhisperingFir]

I just clicked through checkout to buy your Ice Skate item without a problem, all paying methods available . 

So, nothing I can help with.  Hopefully, it's not some kind of scam.

[4HeartsPaperCraftCo]

Thank you ! I appreciate you doing that for me!

[hopeandjoystudios]

I would assume they are scammers..especially if followed by someone from "Etsy" saying you need to reverify your financial info or complete the sale via a link or if they say you need to have $X in your account. Red flag. Direct them to Etsy. And then only answer Etsy messages that arrive in your "from etsy" file and no place else. They hook you with the supposed problem, then reel you in with fake Etsy support. Sellers have lost thousands of dollars.

[hopeandjoystudios]

Even if it is legit, there is zero you can do. They may also suggest taking the sale off Etsy. Which is akin to stepping in a dark alley in a bad part of town with strangers..not going to end well.

[4HeartsPaperCraftCo]

I really do not think this is the issue, but I do appreciate the reply and the  words of advice. I will certainly report if any of those things come up. Thank you!

[hopeandjoystudios]

Plus..what would a "bad link" be? And how would YOU fix it?

[4HeartsPaperCraftCo]

This is the second time it has happened. This time it said Bad URL. And I  have no clue how to fix it, lol.

[hopeandjoystudios]

You can't fix it.

[hopeandjoystudios]

At MOST I would tell them to not buy via the app and if the browser they are using is gliching try another one..and to contact Etsy as you can't fix anything like that.

[4HeartsPaperCraftCo]

I told her to try a pc or laptop and also to see if the app needed an update. And I have contacted Etsy. I just wonder how many sales I may have missed!

[DaniellesLeather]

Let them know that if they are trying to check out from the app, on a phone, that might be the issue. Links don't tend to work so great. Get on a real computer or use a browser on the phone instead of the etsy app. I'vehad problems lately with showing people the links or custom order clicks. 

[4HeartsPaperCraftCo]

Thank you!

[After9Marbles]

My answer is always leave yourself a out. While we prefer to make sales here. If etsy cannot process the transaction due to some kind of technical issue why should we lose the sale. In those cases I would try and help the customer checkout but there is a point where I would direct them to another sales venue to purchase the item and see if the sale goes through. All sales venues have a scammer finder so if they are a scammer or the issue is on their end the same thing will happen. If its a etsy issue then the sale will go through and the your customer is happy. At the end of the day our goal is to sell our products and keep our customers happy. Struggling to make a purchase is not a good experience. Giving the customer different options may turn that into a positive one and keep the sale. 

I would do the same thing regardless of the platform. If the selling platform prevents a sale that voids whatever loyalty I have to that site at the time. I want to make sales and I will use whatever site can facilitate that.

[OutcastClothingBrand]

I got those messages and it's better to report as a spam cause I look at if my store has a sale or any revenue. Normally, Etsy will have a email telling seller you have a sale from someone. The messages can be spam.