The new forum categories are all wrong

[VooVooDesign]

Who on Earth came up with them?

And where is the category for customers complaining that XXX is a scammer because they ordered a blue widget and they only recieved a blue widget?

[BigDogLadysJools]

Yeah, they're really messed up and so is the whole new sterile forum.  I think maybe they're trying to keep the complaints to a minimum; they don't care what we think, so why should they have to read it?

On the plus side, the blue widget sellers will be happy. :)

Best wishes, 

[VooVooDesign]

Most of the questions I have asked in the forums don't even fit into any of those categories.

[BigDogLadysJools]

Mine wouldn't have fit either.  In fact I had a question about Pattern, but I see there's no Pattern section so I'll try to bumble along.

Best wishes,

[FeltInMyHeart]

1. They do feel very isolating somehow. Not crazy about the new forums, at least based on first impressions.  They seem distinctly less useful and less community oriented.
2. I'm testing things out. If I use the Bullet List option and Bold, the bullets show as bold too, but if I use the Numbered List option, the numbers still look all skinny and pale (see the #1 above)
3. I am wasting so much time  trying to get used to the new design.
4. I miss being able to browse recent topics posted across all sections, and just generally get a vibe of discussions or relevant issues at a glance. 

[MilaSmilasDogClothes]

I was thinking the same thing.  Customers often come to the forums with questions about their order.  Most of the time they just need to be directed to their purchases to contact the shop owner.

These poor people won't have anyone to turn to for direction.

[VooVooDesign]

How is Etsy going to cope with that?

Really, they were saving on customer service because customers found their way to the forums and usually got an answer there. So those who man Etsy's "help" are going to have their work cut out for them  - if those customers manage to find their way there, that is.

[BigDogLadysJools]

It is going to be an issue for newbies and also for the confused buyers.  I hope Etsy steps up to the plate to help them, but I'm not holding my breath...

Best wishes,

[MilaSmilasDogClothes]

VooVoo,

I don't know if Etsy has a plan, but I have a feeling it's going to mean pissed off customers and a drop in sales.

[RubyRougeJewelleryCo]

With all these changes, i hope Etsy have a "new and improved" customer service dept. 

[LittleTropicalFox]

Likely, I'm thinking this new forum set-up is paving the way for people to get frustrated & want to 'pay' for the upcoming ability to 'Chat' or 'call'.for customer service,,. I cannot even begin to navigate this mess.. and I prob won't.. all the changes have been overwhleming.. this is just another 'upgrade' that was not necessary..

[BigDogLadysJools]

Tropical Fox, wow, you know you're probably right, I never even thought of that, make people pay for yet another service, that seems to be their mantra these days.  Sad...

Best wishes,

[zsjewelry]

I can't quite wrap my brain around the new categories either. They're totally seller-focused. Where do buyers go with questions? Etsy support? =P What a joke.

I'm not usually one to complain about changes, but I'm definitely not sure about this one. I've been participating on bulletin boards since the mid 80s (when the Internet was pretty much brand new), and I've never seen a board this ... weird looking and difficult to navigate.

[Boutiquebeadsupply]

I don’t usually care about Etsy’s changes but this is so heavy handed, it irritates the hell outta me. 

And if they are going to continue to leave customers hanging with no help resources, it is shameful 

[Former_Member]

It's genius!

They came up with a way to discombobulate sellers and eliminate customers complaining in the fora.

[BigDogLadysJools]

Yep, that must be it.  No complaining allowed in the forums, only brown nosing, LOL. :)

Best wishes,

[Former_Member]

I wonder if Etsy has published it's customer service 800 number where it can be easily found.

[PixieRiver]

I've tried to roll with all of the changes, but I loved the old forms and would peek in there several times a day. I'm SOOO glad to have found this group!

[JunketJuliet]

I feel very fortunate that I started on Etsy before this forum change.  It would have been very difficult for me to set up a properly running shop without all of the information that scrolled by daily.  Information about things that I would have never thought to ask about. 

[OpenVintagePreserve]

Junket! Glad to see ya! 

[JunketJuliet]

Hi Jane!  :)

[VooVooDesign]

Same here. I was lurking for more than a year, learning, before I opened this shop.

[ElizabethRosenArt]

Me too Junket- I honestly think that very few of my Qs over the years fit into these categories. 

[VooVooDesign]

 I keep getting "Sorry, unable to complete the action your requested" when trying to nest a reply.

[designbcb]

I have to say, I will be glad not to see the 'I haven't had a sale in three hours' threads. Maybe customers will be able to go to the customer service board they have set up.