Drop in Sales and Enquiries from USA - Tarrifs

[TheMirrorCompany]

I have been lucky to have enjoyed good sales and enquiries from the USA for our handmade mirrors but have noticed over the last few months a massive drop in these.  I am presuming it is all to do with tariffs, whether they are real or not, the American people seem to be unsure about what is happening.  Has anyone else had this issue and if you have, have you found a way around it?  thanks so much in advance : )

[WellWeatheredCoStore]

yea, it's a thing. i am now offering 1st class Free Shipping with a tracking number to the USA to help my customers offload some of the costs...

[rarefinds4u]

I am within the US and sales have dropped off.  I do think that the economy, tariffs ect play a decent roll in it.  I also know that summer is a big vacation time and the economy is unsteady therefore those are 2 additional factors.

I have been here for many years, have not seen one this bad.  I am regularly listing new items despite the slowdown in sales as come the holiday season my shop will be ready for buyers return.

Good luck to you 

[AnnaleasFinest]

@rarefinds4u 

same. Listing new items and waiting for Laborday sale to see more. Now if even big sellers like you and from the USA are noticing this.... hm...

I think supplies sellers, B2B, may be having a different experience, I also still buy the supplies I need...

[MinnieMaudsAttic]

@TheMirrorCompany   There are several other threads discussing the same issue.

Your mirrors  are lovely but you are taking a risk selling them on Etsy as there is no seller protection for items over £250.  There have been numerous examples in the forums of sellers losing both the item and the money. 

[WellWeatheredCoStore]

that is not true. every package can be insured. if what you are saying was true, there would be no seller on this planet selling products that cost more than 250. That is not a mindset any business owner should operate on.

[FallenAngelBrass]

@WellWeatheredCoStore 

Etsy's purchase protection program page explains that Etsy does not protect the seller for purchases over $250.

"Etsy may refund buyers for orders that total up to $250 USD (including postage & taxes collected on the Etsy Platform) and sellers will not be held responsible."

[GlassyFields]

@WellWeatheredCoStore 

Insurance on packages will cover package damage and loss by the carrier.

It will not cover package theft (porch piracy and/or buyer claiming not received) or buyer claiming NAD.

There are lots of threads by sellers who have experienced the lack of seller protection.

Sellers take the risk. And because most buyers are decent people, greater than $250 transactions continue.

But it is a risk on Etsy.

[MinnieMaudsAttic]

@WellWeatheredCoStore   I think you have your answer from @FallenAngelBrass and @GlassyFields 

Many sellers are not aware of the lack of protection and continue to sell here, many are willing to take a risk.  Every business owner needs to work with the level of risk that they are comfortable with and that should be their mindset.

There are other sites where the 250 limit doesn't operate so there are other places on the planet to sell.

[bohemians]

@WellWeatheredCoStore it is true that Etsy does not offer any seller protection for sales over $250.

As for 'every package can be insured' this not always true ... shipping insurance companies don't always cover all products (like glass for example) and NO insurance company will consider a claim if the item has been marked by the shipping company as delivered. 

 There are sellers that won't take the chance here and those who continue to sell over $250 without issues. Not everyone is going to scam you and a loss perentage may be factored into your pricing, but is a risk to be considered when selling on Etsy. 

[JJewellerySuppliesUK]

I have not really noticed a decrease in my US customers but I am selling supplies.  Perhaps splashing out on a luxury fancy mirror is not a priority for many at the moment who fear tariffs, the general increase in the cost of living etc.  You are one brave soul to ship mirrors at all but I guess you have the packaging aspect well honed. 

[bohemians]

@JJewellerySuppliesUK  Are you experiencing any COO declaration or tariff issues with your supplies going to the USA?

[JJewellerySuppliesUK]

@bohemians No, everything is getting through as usual. 

[bohemians]

@JJewellerySuppliesUK That’s good to hear.

[GieseDeseiGns]

The Demi minimum is still in effect for two more years, if the order is under $800.

[MinnieMaudsAttic]

@GieseDeseiGns   That could change at any minute.  It might stay for 2 years, it might not. It’s the uncertainty that’s causing issues for some.

[GieseDeseiGns]

Not supposed to be removed until 2027, but…..

[LauraJeanDolls]

This is by far the worse year I have ever had on Etsy. I have been here for 14 years and my views and sales are horrible. I have hire someone to help with my shops listings, key words, descriptions, etc. etc. We will see, and hope it helps. Not sure what is happening. LauraJeanDolls 

[JJewellerySuppliesUK]

@LauraJeanDolls My friend got ChatGPT to redo all her listings for free!

[MinzooNeedleFelting]

95 per cent of my buyers and viewers has come always from USA during all these years. Till this one. From around 350 views a day.. now I'm happy if I get 10. So I'm not worried about sales, (is could drop for many reasons right now)  but about maybe Etsy is showing local items in front to USA visitors. I can't found another reason for this lack in views. Even when I've had that "excellent seller insignia" things was the same. And this is very suspicious.. my last few sales in the last six months.. were from european buyers.. what has never happened to me, I havent european buyers basically never.

[WeeShed]

I said it this on another thread but I think it's got more to do with changes Etsy have made than people worried about tariffs,

I set up Google analytics a few weeks ago and about a 20% of the visits are from the USA. It feels more like they've changed something to n*p possible problems with tariffs in the bud rather than buyers

making that decision.

(* can't say n*p for some reason!)

[AnnaleasFinest]

@WeeShed 

am lost what you wanted to say with n*p.  Oh, now I got it, I once wanted to type "n*p it in the bud", and was told it is a bad word.

lol. 

[AnnaleasFinest]

I see these kinds of threads more and more, every week, 1, 2, 3... and started one myself a few weeks ago, to learn how the sales to USA of others are doing.

I still have sales to the USA though. And it seems to be slower, overall.

Maybe people are busy with the summer and the kids being on vacation, maybe they are travelling and are spending their money on outdoors activities...

but last year, it was different. 

Only time will tell, if this is the MAGA effect, and if US buyers people want to shop "at home", -if they are concerned about tariffs, or not.

Labor Day will tell us more. 

[AnnaleasFinest]

@TheMirrorCompany 

you have gorgeous mirrors!

Do you use mock-ups? Etsy doesn't want them as the first photo, maybe this plays a role too...