Purchase problems

[MonDaysPrints]

I just started using Etsy and I've got interest for my item, but they say they couldn't purchase it while trying to use gift card balance , what can I do to help them?

Thank you for any help

[ZehOriginalArt]

They need to contact Etsy, you cannot help with this. You can give them this link: https://help.etsy.com/hc/en-us/requests/new?segment=selling#issuelist_buying_on_etsy

Also, be aware of scammers who target new shops. If the person asks for your email or to take the transaction off Etsy, do not reply, just spam the message.

[audreytherese]

Many of the messages saying they're having trouble purchasing are the beginning of scams. 

I agree the only thing you can do is direct them to contact Etsy support directly. There is nothing you can do from your end, even if they are a legit potential customer. 

[LogpileStudio]

I just had one a little while ago from "Etsy Stuff" purporting to be Etsy Staff, saying someone had bought one of my items but couldn't complete the payment due to a technical issue, and asking me to follow a link and then follow the instructions there. I put it straight into my spam folder. I'm not a new shop, having been on here since 2016. How many sellers on here will fall for this kind of scam? It's very worrying.

[audreytherese]

Based on the amount of posts we've seen in here, a lot of new shops have fallen for it (we've seen a lot, and I'm sure there's even more that are too embarrassed to admit it).

That's why they keep sending them out, because their scam has been paying off. 

[VintageRescueSquad]

This is most likely a scam. Even if it's not, there is nothing YOU can do. They have to contact etsy directly.

[bradgoodell]

The "I can't purchase with a gift card" usually ends in "I need your email address to complete the order".  It's a scam.  Buyers don't need your email address to checkout. 

I'm going to post three threads that all sellers should read, two from Etsy and one I wrote.  Please read all of them, carefully.

https://community.etsy.com/t5/Announcements/New-From-Etsy-section-in-Messages/m-p/143722497#M1899

https://community.etsy.com/t5/Announcements/Protect-Your-Account-From-Scammers/m-p/143158945#M1882

https://community.etsy.com/t5/Managing-Your-Shop/How-to-Spot-a-Scam-No-a-Buyer-Doesn-t-Need-Your-Ema...

Scams are currently rampant on the internet.

[PillowDetails]

@MonDaysPrints a gift card needs to be redeemed by a recipient first, then it will show in their cart as the first payment option.  Send them this -

https://help.etsy.com/hc/en-us/articles/115015439127-How-to-Redeem-an-Etsy-Gift-Card-or-Promotion?se...

* might not be a scam

[MonDaysPrints]

Thank you all who wrote a reply, it was a scam which failed a bit miserably.  Be careful everyone, as I checked, Etsy never involves sellers into the purchasing parts any emails from  "buyers" regarding this is most likely fake.