"Offer gift message" is disabled for my shop, but a customer placed an order with gift message

[DanielForsterPhotos]

This is not a regular issue, but it has happened before.  Is there some reason a customer can override my shop settings? This seems like a bug.

Shop settings:
Shop Manager > Settings > Options > Offer gift message > Disabled
Shop Manager > Settings > Options > Offer gift wrapping > Disabled

Customer order includes "Gift details", "Marked as gift", "Gift message included", "Gift message" ...........

When this has happened in the past, I had to reach out to the customer and tell them I would send a separate note.  Having to message the customer, and sending a separate note, seem very unprofessional to me.  

[TheHomespunLoft]

@DanielForsterPhotos 

I don't see this as abnormal- I don't have "gift message" or whatever in my shop either but I get customers who say it is a gift.. to me it just means they don't want the prices on the invoice.. or no invoice included. Since I don't sent invoices I just ignore it.. 

I certainly do not contact the customer over it and hold up the order.. and if the customer asks me to include a simple message-- I am glad to do that. I send a thank you card anyways-- it is not a big deal for me to say Happy Birthday or whatever on the card.

* Why would you send a separate note??

[DanielForsterPhotos]

Thanks for looking at my issue.  What doesn't make sense to me is that I have the shop setting "Offer gift message" disabled, but I still received an order with a gift message.  My question is why is there that option if it doesn't even work? 

The issue you mentioned about an invoice is different. 

I would send a separate note b/c I don't have the capability to print canvas and metal prints, so I need to use a 3rd party production partner to print ship the photos.

[TheVintagePineapple]

Maybe the buyer is using the ''Gift Mode'' option.

How to Buy a Gift on Etsy – Etsy Help

''Mark your item as a gift during checkout and the seller will hide the price of the gift on the packing slip. Etsy can also send an email to the gift recipient with a link to their gift teaser that includes your message and a preview of the gift.''

If Gift Mode was used, Etsy sends the email with the message to the recipient.  Nothing you need to do.

[DanielForsterPhotos]

This is interesting, thank you.  I will look into it.  The strange thing is that the order has a button labeled "Print gift message".  Which seems odd if I didn't need to do anything. Thanks again.

[TheVintagePineapple]

@DanielForsterPhotos Even though you have those options disabled, a buyer can still mark it as a gift and then assume writing something in the ''+ Add a note to ...'' box means you'll send the recipient their message.  Then yes, you'll have to message the buyer that it's something you cannot do due to using a POD company.

[UppNorthEh]

Maybe the photos are printed offsite like some sort of POD.  Would be impossible to include a note. 

[PillowDetails · Accepted solution]

https://help.etsy.com/hc/en-us/articles/360000343168-How-to-Offer-Gift-Services?segment=selling

"If you have gift messages disabled, you will see the buyer’s gift message on the order but do not need to take any action. 

The message the buyer entered is included in the gift teaser that is sent to the recipient."

[DanielForsterPhotos]

Thank you! This looks like what is going on.  I hope so anyways.  It's just odd that there is a button on the order "Print gift message".  And nothing about a teaser being sent. Anyways, thanks for the help!

[DanielForsterPhotos]

For anyone else looking into this issue, I confirmed with support that this is the correct answer.  It was a 'gift teaser', but I can't see that on the order. 

[RainboWkidz]

i have the same issue, people are writing gift message but the item i am selling does not support gift message inserts, i feel uncomfortable about it. How to completely disable mark as gift and gift messages?

[BagmakerSupply]

@RainboWkidz: "mark as gift", "gift messages", and "gift wrapping" are independent of each other. "Mark as gift" really does nothing other than hide prices on the Etsy generated packing slip and is not something a seller can turn on or off. Some buyers seem to make all purchases with that checked.