Request a video goes nowhere = customer service problem

[#1]

If a potential customer requests a video from the 2nd slide that has been added to listings without a video, they receive a confirmation message but the seller does not receive the request, so the customer is left high and dry.

The longer this goes on the higher the hit to perceptions of customer service for that shop. It should not have been implemented this way.

Etsy, please
- remove the request a video until it is working.
- advise us how it will work in advance of re-introducing it eg etsy message? 24 hours to respond? penalties if we say no?

[MirageRiverCreations]

It’s account specific, those who see it will see it everywhere, and those who don’t, won’t. I’ve had someone test it for me, and I’ve searched my shop as extensively as I can for the requests. I checked my message inbox, spam; I looked on the page with all my listings; I looked in my stats; I even checked individual listing’s stats. There’s just not any indication for where you’re supposed receive these notifications. No idea. So it just doesn’t work yet.

[SeasideRoseCreations]

Look under your chair.

[michellepatterns]

I don't think this is a real feature on etsy yet and the clicks are just being recorded by etsy to see if there is interest.  If you don't like the idea, even if you are curious about how it works, don't click on it so etsy gets the picture that people aren't that interested.  

[DougsVintageStore]

I do see this message on my listing template, but my first reaction is how will Etsy punish us if we dont do it.

"We found that listings with video get twice as many orders as listings with just photos".

"Less than 28% of sellers have listings with video—it may help you stand out! Learn about 3 Types of Listing Videos That Online Shoppers Love".

"Based on August 2023 analysis of all active listings on Etsy".

I do list videos for some things like vintage animated toys, but not for a vintage sealed LP Record Album thats still originally sealed.

[leinweberstudio]

"Less than 28% of sellers have listings with video—...

I think that should be

"Fewer than 28% of sellers..."

Just sayin, Etsy...

[EccentricHandbags]

While I like having this feature what I don't like about Etsy doing this is that it suggests to the buyer that the provided pictures aren't adequate enough.  It wouldn't have occurred to them without Etsys help.   

[DivineCrossings]

I posted this yesterday on another “request a video thread”:

I have a feeling the “request a video” thing isn’t available to us (at least not yet) because Etsy is collecting the data to use to further pressure sellers. For example, I can see something like this popping up on my dashboard:  “75% of shoppers have requested a video for this item”. I’m not sure we’ll ever be privy to that information on a request by request basis. IMO, Etsy will collate it and present it to us as a percentage or overall number of some kind. It’s Etsy, so who know what they’re doing with the info. Also, I believe that the more you click on “request a video”, the more ammunition you give Etsy to force videos.

[JMOldeVintage]

@DivineCrossings  - Have you added any videos to any of your listings? 

[DivineCrossings]

@JMOldeVintage @Yeah, my stats were so poor that I whipped up a few slide videos and added them, hoping it would improve things…it hasn’t. I’ve had videos before and they had no impact whatsoever either on sales or views/visits. So I’m skeptical that videos will make any difference this time around. It also kills me that I feel compelled to knuckle under to Etsy’s pressure. Not everyone will, some will withstand the onslaught (kudos to them). But I’m dying here - 70% down this month is no joke.

[JMOldeVintage]

@DivineCrossings  - I had to ask since I did see videos on a couple of your listings (I'm not one to watch them) and thought maybe I should ask.
A while back there was a thread on Etsy doing something with the second photo slot, making photo #10 number 11? 

Yes the drop in sales in concerning. Hopefully things pick up for you. 

[cutebutton]

I noticed if I look at my shop on my phone the request a video photo is there.  If I look at my shop on my desktop it isn't there.

To me etsy has had a whole lot of bad ideas but this one is probably the worst.

If etsy wants us to have a video then they should just require it rather than go this stupid route (I also think that is a VERY bad idea too but if they are giving us the choice they shouldn't ask customers to request it.  We would have posted one if we wanted a video)

I'm wondering if a customer asks me to send them a video and I say right now I don't have a video if that will make me lose a customer where as if that wasn't there the same customer would have never even thought to ask for a video and would have just bought as is.

Seriously etsy this is the worst idea and this is not one of those oh you will get used to it things.  It's just bad.