Queries, Questions, Chit Chat

[#1]

If anyone has any problems or questions then please feel free to reach out here. And I hope if anyone knows anything that would be useful then please comment.

[Former_Member]

Does anyone want to form an instagram pod?
we would commit to liking and commenting on at least one post a day? My only concern is some folks post every hour and I honestly don't want to flood my followers like that. So if you post on an average no more that 3 instagrams posts a day I am happy to comment and like. Is anyone else interested?

[OurBoudoir]

If anyone wants extra coverage on pinterest we have two sizeable boards

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/anatrefael3/vogueteam-vintage/

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/OurBoudoir/vintage-vogue-team-vintage/

Any more boards?

[OurBoudoir]

AND

For those interested we are going to cross promote on instagram once a day. This will be done initially by convo from RetrouverBizMen until we know what the regular attendance will be.

https://www.etsy.com/people/Buckysfinds

So can you get in touch with Wendy at the above link.

[AKitschIsJustAKitsch]

Hi all, you guys have been so helpful in the past, so I am asking for advice.

What do you do when a customer accuses you of sending them a broken item? They received the item and it got damaged in shipment. She sent me one blurry picture. I do believe it is damaged, but it was NOT damaged when I shipped it.
I asked for a few better photos so I can file insurance with the PO. She replies with "my son threw the packing away" and no further pictures..she also said "The box was not damaged in any way. You also packed it very well with all of the bubble wrap....our cameras caught the mailman setting the box on out stoop very carefully, so again, I think it was handled gently on their end"

As if the only one handling it was her mailman...anyway, I am happy to refund ONCE I get the photos. I told her that twice now.
No doubt she will leave me a nasty review, you cannot account for rude people. Anyway, advice would be appreciated.
Thank you.

[AlwaysSeeking]

Has anyone experience of promoted ads.

I set 7 listings and had no sales and a huge etsy bill for this month. I gad been charged a minimum of $1 per click for costume jewelry and once $2.5. I only had about 5 clicks per day as i had a budget of $5. Etsy refuses to refund me anything despite wasting my money so blatantly. They told me that I was charged so much because their computer takes into account my shop history (no skeletons there!) the history ?? of my listings and their quality!! So other shops have a clear and huge advantage when using promoted ads. Even the custom bids must be skewed as surely they must be relative to the automatic bids. Seems to me their computer runs the show and is fed with absolute dross. 😞 Feeling very sad as have to pay $150 in fees or close my shop. Haven’t had a sale for weeks despite cross promoting, listing and dabbling in crap promoted listings.

[OurBoudoir]

A shop has started a petition regarding the increase in fees

https://www.etsy.com/teams/7722/discussions/discuss/18734832

which you may wish to look at

But I think you need to look at the bigger picture first as there are more significant changes happening next year.

https://www.fastcompany.com/40585041/etsy-is-betting-on-subscriptions-for-sellers

Kate x

[SweepingGirl]

Oh My daling Gosh didn't raise the listing fee, I think it's enough. If a seller really want to success, It's enough and Etsy need s money for advertising. and decent fair for everything.

It's my openion.

[Former_Member]

I agree with the increase in fees as it will bring an increase in marketing to attract new buyers. An increase always hurts in the beginning, but just like everything else in life you adjust to it and it becomes the new normal. This is how businesses grow, and honestly I’m surprised it took this long for an increase. I figured it would happen last year when the new CEO took over.

[GrandVintageFinery]

Stock holders share rise because of announcement of hiking fees. I doubt it will help our sales. Charging $10 more a month if you want to get ahead of other shops and next year an even more for a higher tier.

I agree that it is a time for an increase but the thing that burns me is the shipping. They are not charged for shipping by the amount but a one time fee for each transaction.

[blisstiques]

I feel the increase will help us in the long run. More marketing money = more sales.

The only real negative I see is the fee on shipping, which we already pay on Ebay, make s me think I will stop international shipments. Paying a % on a $20+ shipping cost versus $2.66 for domestic shipping eats into the profit margin. However, adding a handling fee commensurate to the extra shipp costs eliminate this problem, too.

I have been paying too much for ads on Etsy, and will try the $10 per month charge, which will be a whole lot less outlay for, hopefully, the same results.

[k1vintage]

Thank you so much Catherine for your support...
Please all consider just posting "I respectfully request"
in a box if you agree with the first page ...luv you all 🙂
it cant hurt...
https://www.etsy.com/teams/7722/discussions/discuss/18734832/page/15

[AlwaysSeeking]

Etsy charged a ridiculous amount for my ads and I did no t realise you could customise them. I think there was an error as I was charged over $1.5 for each click and several at $2.5. It’s only costume jewelry! I got a bill of $150 ($5 per day budget) and no sales. They said that their computer takes into account other factors, the history of my shop, my listings quality?! That is a) so insulting and b) I dont believe it. There is something flawed in a system that will charge $1.50 per click for a $20 item..

I hope that the $10 subscription will be an alternative not just an extra charge with paid ads on top. Etsy is not accountable for its own actions it seems.

[Betsysbijoux]

I am delighted to see the promoted ads discount and listing discount but am totally burned about the shipping - just a sneaky way to force free shipping.

As for promoted ads, over half my dollar volume is from them so I'm all for the promoted items. Just be careful to always customize your bid amount on each item. Some of the automatic bids are pure crazy - just had one show up at 98 cents for a $14 item. I've found that eben 2 cents will get me into the game.

[GracesVintageGarden]

Thanks Betsy for your positive outlook. I do think paying to be in a higher tier can only help. There are always going to be changes -- and yes, Etsy is now beholden to shareholders. It is still the best platform, bar none, to have our shops on. I would encourage everyone to see how this plays out. Change is always scary. And Etsy is always changing! lol

Like so many of their changes, they need to keep the focus on the bottom dollar -- but if we don't sell they don't make money either. My own attitude is to take the changes Etsy introduces and see how I can flourish in the new environment.

I am going to see how this plays out and look to make it work for my shop.

[AprilsLuxuries]

Hi,
I am a stockholder and shop owner. It is the nature of the world to have costs increase whether it is taxes, rent or fees.

The new CEO came from Ebay. I would think that he views the shops with a touch of Ebay in his outlook. There were some unsavory sorts that used to charge $1 for an item and then $25 for shipping. By doing that, there were bypassing the fees on the items. Finally, to put a stop to it, the fees were then changed to cover all of it. Anyway, that is the history.

When I started five years ago, most people had heard of Ebay but not of Etsy. That is changing. Today, with the help of Etsy, many shop on our platform.

I appreciate selling thoughts that Etsy gives us. I am referring to things such as picture taking, SEO, wrapping etc. I also appreciate the fact that Etsy supports dealers in the selling process.

Yes. It will be harder to make money per item if one is selling at $25 or less. However that tells me that we need to sell higher priced items or make adjustments when buying for resale. Having said that, Etsy does a wonderful job in sending our money, updating the apps and making posting easy to understand.

The team concept on Etsy is also invaluable. Of course, we have one of the best which adds to success. Thank you Our Boudoir Catherine.

It is extremely frustrating when there are changes being made because the sales go to near zero. Of course, I miss the money but I could have been on vacation. I look forward to the day when the Change Committee takes their vacation...perhaps for months at a time. It seems that talented programmers are hard to obtain and of course, administration wants to keep them. However, perhaps they don't want to pay them for drinking coffee and doing nothing. Therefore change, little things, continue. From our viewpoint, it wasn't broken. Therefore why are they changing it? Eventually there will be some loss of dealers due to this because it becomes overwhelming while there is loss of revenue on our side from fees and less sales while it all happens. My thought is to wait it out. Perhaps this will be a big wrinkle but then things will even out.

Etsy is a wonderful organization. The CEO took the time to make a video for us. I have contacted the administration a few times and they have always been responsive and caring. Of course, there are times that I don't agree with all that is being done, but so what? I am staying in strength and dignity and awaiting the future with a smile.

[OurBoudoir]

Yes everyone look out for those automated ads! Thank you Betsy for clearing that up.

Well we have many fabulous shops on our team and I am hoping this is going to be your opportunity to shine. Shopify is now gaining market share now that it has an integrated payment provider so etsy is learning from that experience and is adjusting. It sounds like we may ultimately look like stand alone shops with web domains if you follow the premium path. And hopefully most of the poor quality items that seem to have populated front page searches will lose their footing.

[MuskRoseVintage]

I am fine with the increase in transaction fees as I think Etsy is very competitive in this space. I am very disappointed with the fees charged on shipping as I believe this to be unethical even if it is legal.

But the bottom line is we are powerless to have any influence over this decision so for me it is about how best to adjust. I will be adding the cost to my items or shipping (or maybe a bit on both) - have not quite worked out which is the best approach.

It is good advice above to change focus to higher priced quality or rare items to a make the shop worthwhile and value for effort. I am also going to avoid anything heavier (where possible) than 500g packed as international postage is expensive from Australia.

Lol, I have so many buttons that I was going to sell cheaply but I might reconsider that as it will be a complete waste of time.

[OurBoudoir]

Well Evelyn, it would increase your stats if you have something you can sell at a low price. I think we need to have a balance.

I have already incorporated shipping into some of my listings. I sometimes buy on etsy and do come across shops that think its fine to charge $30 (aggregate shipping) instead of perhaps $3 or $5 so you don’t buy the goods. A low shipping fee is attractive.

Let’s hope that the changes mean we could pay the $10 a month and thereby distinguish ourselves. I am hoping that Etsy is addressing the concern of visibility. If we were in a shopping mall and became known and wanted we wouldn’t walk into days of allocation to the backroom!

[MuskRoseVintage]

That's a good point Catherine. At the moment I have a mix of affordable items as well as more expensive antiques.

[PandPF]

I have found a couple of things to be true. Buyers want cheap items and cheap shipping. I have found myself explaining why this can't be for someone who is in business. Some people understand, some don't. I try to keep a mix but I am probably on the low end more than the high end. Try to make up for it in volume.
I hate that shipping will be included in the transaction fee but really it isn't that much money for domestic shipping for me. I am rethinking international shipping though. I am thinking it isn't worth the hassle anymore. for low end items.
As far as increasing the transaction fee, I would rather it be on the sale than on the listing fees. And I think the premium packages will probably be worth the money, though I already have a URL for PumpkinsandPeacockFeathers.com I have had it for 10 years or so. Maybe I will get one for PandPF ! I don't mind looking like a stand alone shop.. Like you said Catherine, maybe it will weed out some people. I know the artisans are hoping for that.

[OurBoudoir]

Maybe etsy is also promoting regionalism. It suits etsy because it has discovered there are many hurdles at the international marletplace level because we sometimes have variations in law for example. But it is a great shame for us as there is so much diversity across the globe. So I think shops should consider their options on shipping abroad. Now we have the upgrades maybe choose the cheapest shipping for low value items up to perhaps $100 and add tracking as an upgrade. Or even free shipping plus the upgrades rhenrevise policies to say free shipping is for a basic service but you are offered the choice to upgrade for tracking or signed for services.

[Betsysbijoux]

I have been keeping my International shipping at actual cost (scary high anyway) and now the price will have to go up on the lower cost items. High cost items I can just absorb the additional charge but boy, do I think that it is wrong to have to pay a fee on shipping. The FVF increase I have no issue with but it really sticks in my craw to pay 5% of shipping when I don't get a 5% discount for double boxing rather that just bubbling. I wish the USPS would address this as they are making money off the postal service.

And yes, I have run across some sellers with insanely high prices such as the person who wanted $25 for 10 charms - USA address to USA address. Nope, I didn't buy them and if more people did that they would lower their shipping - adding an Etsy fee just makes Etsy complicit in the over charge scam they are running.

[RetroDelia]

Hi everyone, I never came across this chat thread before so it was nice to find it today. I'm reading your thoughts about the price rises. I think if the money does get re-invested in advertising and that brings more shoppers, it will be a good thing in the end.

On a completely different topic, I was wondering if it was possible to unhighlight (or delete?) some of the threads that are out of date e.g. the weekly threads as I was looking for some threads to do (e.g. an instagram thread?) and there are lots to scroll through. I hope I'm not speaking out of turn. Thank you and have a nice weekend everyone.

[retrogroovie]

Am I alone or are others upset about the last minute changes to Etsy Billing?

"...check out your June statement on July 1, 2018, we'll start automatically deducting your Etsy fees and any applicable taxes from the money you earn selling on Etsy."

"Etsy fees and any applicable taxes will be automatically deducted from the money you’ve made from sales using Etsy Payments."

This is really messed up, in my opinion. Etsy will be taking all their (increased) fees up front (POS) which means there will be less money available for deposit. The big benefit they're touting is No Bill to Pay.

Well I want to pay my bill myself, and pay it when I want to pay it. Pay As You Go will not work for my shop.

I'm in a real quandary. Thinking about either closing my shop (7.5 years!) and/or immediately start selling on other venues (which I will have to research!)

I'm really angry that Etsy gave me only 3 days notice of the changes, and anticipating my cash flow to slow to a mere trickle beginning July 1.

I'm super angry that Etsy is going to start charging fees for the cost of shipping too! Hello Ebay!

Love to hear from opinions/ideas from team mates!

Julie

[OodlesofBling]

What team tag do we use on instagram?