Offsite Ad Fee when I didn't sign up for it

[TopDogStitching]

I was unaware that Etsy defaulted my account to opt in to Offsite Ads.  I made 2 sales in the last year and when I got an order on 4/29, they took $100 offsite ad fee + usual fees!  Because of so little activity on my account I never would have signed up to have 15% additional dollars deducted from my only sale this year!  I want the fee refunded.  And I already turned off the offsite ad "feature".  How do I get my $$ back?

[AutumnHollowStudio]

You can't get the money back, unfortunately. Everyone is automatically opted in, and you can opt out if you make less than 10k per year here.

Here is etsy's help page for offsite ads:

https://help.etsy.com/hc/en-us/articles/360000338367-How-Etsy-s-Offsite-Ads-Work?segment=selling

[TinLizziAntiques]

OP, you are not required to accept the order. Cancel and refund to the buyer, explaining that you can not fulfill the order at this time. Your fees will be returned to you. Don't make a habit of canceling orders, but it is your choice in this situation.

[vintagebuttonsplus]

@TinLizziAntiques  is this true that you can cancel an order due to offsite ad fees? I came to the forums because I just today seen in a seller's listing that all orders from offsite ads will be cancelled. I didn't know if that was ok with Etsy to say and do.

[TheVintagePineapple]

@vintagebuttonsplus Sellers are allowed to cancel sales for many reasons.  However, cancelling every sale that came from OSAs would be a problem once Etsy notices the pattern.

Unfortunately, the seller you're referring to is not the only seller who does that.  They could be reported for fee avoidance.

[DragonflyDreams1]

I don't know for certain but that makes me really uneasy. If you play with fire you get burned as the saying goes. How will it impact your store or listing quality score to cancel orders? Would it  be better to raise your prices slightly to cover the occasional fee? 

As a general rule I do everything within my own choices to make sure I make Etsy happy with my listings and my store. 

[BootifulLabels]

Until you reach the $10000 sales level in a 12 month period, you can opt out, but once you reach that level just once you will be automatically opted back in for life.  If you can opt out, and do, it takes till 30 days from your last OA sale to fully take effect.  If you are I n certain parts of the EU you may be able to opt out regardless of your sales level, but otherwise once you reach the $10k threshold you are in for life.

You can usually offset the cost of the ads with a small global price increase.   Look back and see what percentage of your sales have been attributed to OA and multiply that percentage by the 12% or 15% you pay.  The resolution is usually only around 3-4%.  Increase all your item and shipping prices by that percentage and every sale you make will bring in a little more to help cover the OA on the small percentage of sales that attract them. 

[bradgoodell]

Offsite ads were introduced in 2020.  You've been selling on Etsy since 2014, and you shop appears to have been active during 2020 when they were introduced.  If you didn't opt-out then, and you just noticed the ad costs now, you likely don't normally get too many sales from off-site ads.  But no, Etsy is not going to give your money back.  You can't opt-out retroactively.  

[vintagebuttonsplus]

I def. think putting right in your listings that all orders will be cancelled due to off-site ad fee's it NOT good business.

[SusanLoveAmishQuilts]

I hate to cancel a sale but if this keeps up, I may need to. I've had 3 now and it really bites me in profit. ETSY taking $100 off along with their normal fees is too much.  I feel that ETSY makes enough money in fees they shouldn't be asking for more. I pay for advertising but never see my stuff advertised. There should be no reason for anyone to have to "Google" our stuff if they were doing their job in advertising.  If everyone cancelling every sale that came from OSAs would be a a good hint that we don't want this! Once Etsy sees the pattern maybe they will stop being greedy.

[AutumnHollowStudio]

You can always stop paying for ads if they aren't working for you. You may also want to reconsider offering free shipping on everything. Or, maybe charge a discounted rate (and ship how you normally do) if you feel that the full shipping charge may deter buyers.

[CatsWhiskersCurios]

"If everyone cancelling every sale that came from OSAs would be a a good hint that we don't want this! Once Etsy sees the pattern maybe they will stop being greedy."

Or, more likely, they will shut down shops for fee avoidance.

[Vintorious]

I was unaware that Etsy defaulted my account to opt in to Offsite Ads. 

The policy has been in place for a long time, and is public knowledge. So, no: you will not get those fees back.

The sale was brought to you through the ad, so the fee is justified. As others have said, you can reject the order and hope that you'll get another organically.

[KissOfARedRose]

Yes I am stuck with this stupid fee, the thing is before this shop hit the 10.000 dollars in a year thing , my items were still advertised on Google saw them so what are we paying for? The only off site ads that bring me sales are Google because Etsy is nose diving for sales, makes you wonder what we are paying Etsy for.

[CraftyCornishMaids]

@TopDogStitching 

Offsite ads were started 4 years ago, and we were all opted in, and there was a LOT of e-mails and dashboard announcements about it, etc , etc

You have always been able to opt out, as it looks like you are under the yearly threshold.

You will not get the fees back.

....

do not cancel sales, it is fee avoidance and against etsy's tous,

and their last report says they would be targeting this.

don't do it.

[BettysRingBox]

Can someone please explain to me how this is fair business practice? For Etsy to automatically opt someone in for these ads and not allow them to opt-out. I've been charged for off-site ads and made £3.75 profit from my sale. How is that fair business?

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