ETSY Changes AGAIN?? (Shops are NOT FREE, Can't Use Mockups, Payments Delayed?!)
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- Опубликовано: 27 мар 2024
- Hey everyone, welcome to my channel, I'm Mey :)
In today’s video we are talking about Etsy, and the fact that they have made some changes recently, including the fact that it's no longer FREE to open an Etsy shop, you also need to verify your ID, payments will be delayed, and even access to community forum is somehow blocked!!
As usual - would love you comment in the comment section about your feelings to these updates!
All sources in this video will be linked in the first comment!
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I started this channel in January of 2021 to share my knowledge of selling digital downloads on Etsy, or any other platform, as well as my experience with Print on demand. I do my best to bring you the most relevant content about selling print on demand and printables, creating interesting print on demand designs, testing myself print on demand products and their quality, as well as provide you with marketing tutorials, and so much more! I recommend many services and websites in my videos, some may contain affiliate links- which means that you can have a discounted price, or the same price, while I earn a bit of a commission for the referral- to help support this channel and the costs of producing the videos.
#etsy #sellonetsy #etsyprintondemand #printondemand #etsynews #printondemandnews
Sources mentioned in this video:
- Selling Printful comparison of multiple platforms: ruclips.net/video/8q6ndM8X7oU/видео.html
- My 12 tips for creating winning mockups: ruclips.net/video/JnRcXVunpjk/видео.html
- Etsy prohibited items list: www.etsy.com/legal/prohibited/
- Etsy announcement for shop fees and "scheduled" payments:
community.etsy.com/t5/Announcements/Strengthening-New-Shop-Onboarding-to-Keep-Our-Community-Safe/m-p/144857341#M1928
- Etsy listing images requirements: www.etsy.com/legal/policy/listing-image-requirements/253962679005
- The article about Etsy banning political and activism items:
www.valueaddedresource.net/etsy-prohibited-items-policy-update-political-activism-violence-hate/
You might want to update your Etsy news again as they are opening market to China. We are doomed.
It’s like Etsy has forgotten about how they NEED US TO BE SUCCESSFUL! Without us making the items, posting, marketing, bringing people to their website, what would Etsy be?? Food for thought 💭
Have you looked at it from etsys pov??
Bingo.
oh they know that well, but they also know that many, many Etsy sellers will not leave - from the biggest stores right down to people who can't afford to leave. They've figured out a very carefully constructed system where the bulk of their shops will get juuuust enough money to think 'well this is suck, but at least it's better than nothing' and they stay. Breadcrumbs and gaslight are Etsy's currency.
Unfortunately they don't need you or me or anyone else. Look at how fast they disable or delete accounts, even with good ratings and sales numbers to now allow hundreds of thousands of Chinese suppliers that manufacture cheap low quality items, NOTHING HANDMADE at all. These shops sell constantly and make huge money for Etsy. Do they care if mass produced items are flooding the platform? No!! They don't. Actually they welcome these type of "shops" because handmade or not, they bring in huge money!
Yep, I've started ordering handmade items from people directly - Etsy is being cut out of the middle - it's happened to four people I shop from, and they're just fine with it. So am I. Not sorry.
I have been a full time seller on Etsy since 2008 but am closing my store on Sunday. I’ll be sad but it’s time. I noticed a big change in the direction of Etsy when they went public. Shareholders became more important than sellers.
Where are you moving your products?
Rightly phrased- Shareholders became more important than sellers..
Are you opening a shop on your own? or just giving up online selling and doing something else?
@@MeyTribeshareholders won’t hold much value if sellers start leaving.
There will be nothing to sell and nothing to make profit from for those shareholders if sellers stop listing
Yep typical corporate bullshit
I just closed my shop yesterday. Built my own website for free..and we’ll see how it goes.🤞
Yes this!!!! Good luck! Etsy is trippin!!! I wish people would stop giving them free marketing and traffic. Yes we get “organic traffic” but in the days of TikTok and social media, they are acting like we NEED them. We do not. What good is organic traffic with no products to buy? It’s time for us to stop letting these companies boss us around. They are the employees. Government too! Yall work for us!!!
What website are you using and how come it's free?
I genuinely hope all the best for you. I sell on etsy and I hate it. It has been my plan to set up my own shop, but I just need my shop to grow more then I will create my website. I previously had my own Shopify store before, but it was totally different from what I sell on my etsy shop, but I absolutely LOOOOVE shopify, especially their customer service which is top notch.
@@missjennifer4448 google site ....
how are your sales on Shopify? Are they way more than Etsy?@@hils1015
Nope I was actually in the middle of setting up an Etsy store when I got this and you have totally changed my mind. Thank you for saving me both money and hassles
Me too I had almost completed my setup. Won't be doing it now.
I am seriously thinking of shutting mine down, but even though my sales are not frequent, that is where I get the most of my sales. But I think its best to just create your own website. Hope this helps.
I’m a single, now unemployed mama, and I started a new Etsy store a couple months ago, but it’s slow learning. And the changes you’re mentioning are making me feel like finding another way to make money online, as I’m broke and can’t afford not to be paid if I ever start to make sales with my creative ideas.
I am now thinking I should create my own store website and find ways to drive traffic to it.
As another artist YES it is always worth directing traffic you generate to your own website. Etsy tries to strip your brand, you want repeat customers so offer strong branding and a small freebie gift.
The changes mentioned above are to deter dropshippers which Etsy let flood their system. People will set up 5-10 shops flood it with photos from Alibaba and then offer horrible customer service. The new hold for newer shops is because lots of the dropshippers will cashout before items are delivered and then Etsy has to try to get money from them for refunds. I've never had any issue getting paid by Etsy. A new shop is high risk for a couple months but then once you are established it isn't an issue. Other platforms for selling art also now have a new seller period where you have to "prove" yourself, which is a bummer that some theives have ruined it for the rest of us.
I do think Etsy's fees suck and their support is so hard to deal with. Their estimated delivery timeline is also complete malarky so I say my items ship in 3-5 business days and then ship within 1-3 to minimize the amount of "this item might arrive late" bull they have. I still have a steady stream of orders after this change but as a new business you might want to start with 1-3 just to draw in new customers.
I do my own art and prototype every item I make so the photos aren't an issue for me. If you are getting print on design shirts you just need to order 1 of each design. You can use mock up art to show options but there needs to be an actual photo because bait and switch with all the dropshippers is high. That slows down the site being flooded with millions of AI designs for print on design like it is now. So yes you have to buy one from your partner but you should anyway to make sure they aren't shipping trash. Then you do you photos with the shirt and keep it, you can sell it at a craft show or use it as a giveaway for your brand. :)
When it comes to any orders online make sure you line up their order, the package you plan to ship it in and their invoice. Then photograph it and store it for a year in case they have issues. I started doing this on advice of a seller on ebay after a big fraud attempt by a customer. 90% of the photographs will never get looked at our used again but the few issues I do have with fraud attempts are normally resolved by providing a photograph of their order. It is also handy to have to provide to the post office in the case that the package is lost.
If an item is shipping to a high crime area I pay $3.50 for signature required at delivery and haven't had any lost packages.
If a customer tells you an item never arrived but is marked as delivered open a ticket with USPS using the tracking data and provide them an update with the case #. This stops Etsy from doing an auto refund in their favor. Then refuse to allow the ticket closed until USPS provides GPS data showing the item was delivered. 9 times out of 10 as soon as you open the ticket the customer suddenly finds it. 1 out of 10 the delivery driver was lazy and when they look at the GPS data at the scan time they realize it was wrong and USPS finds it.
Good luck with whatever you do but honestly if you already opened the shop before the new fee thing you might be safe from the latest changes. ;) If you go with Etsy just remember tha their search analytics are from the early 90s or something and don't take into account alt image tags or description. (So just title and their tags) HOWEVER all the search engines do! So if you do your own shop always do your best SEO there and lesser SEO on Etsy. :D
Are you doing print on demand?
Yes, you need to be careful if things are already tight financially. When I was selling print-on-demand on Etsy, the profit margins were tiny, then both Etsy and the print producer simultaneously raised their fees and I found that I was actually making a £1 loss on every sale. Luckily, I wasn't making a huge amount of sales at the time, and quickly raised my prices to cover it, but it's very easy to find yourself owing money, especially if Etsy starts delaying payments.
To address your final point, organic discovery on Etsy is so bad that you'd end up having to drive traffic to an Etsy store yourself anyway, so you might as well create your own store and drive traffic there instead. As mentioned in this video, why put loads of effort into driving visitors to Etsy, just so many of them can buy from your competitors instead of you.
I know several people who have started their new shops, paid the $15 to open the store, only to have the shop immediately shut down.
Wow!😮
Good to know!
why did their stores get shut down?
I think that is Etsy’s way of taking your money legally and never replying to claims and appeals when you contact them to ask why. THOUSANDS of users in the last 2 months have been posting about how their shops keep getting suspended. Most are people who just opened them up, but there is a good % of 2-3 year old Etsy stores that are getting suspended now too, for no reason. How much you wanna bet Etsy is going to be like “oh you want us to lift your suspension? Give us $15!” 😡
Whaaaaattt?!?! Wowwww 😳
I like these changes, Etsy is having a very difficult time with scammers and people reselling items they are buying from Temu and Alibabi ; and folks sending emails and Messages to esty sellers pretending to be etsy and then hacking their shops when the person clicks the links. I tend to not like regulations, but keeping the seller community safe is important.
They are shutting down a lot of legitimate sellers after charging them to open a store. That isn’t keeping the community safe. That’s literally banning creative people from selling their work.
Ideally, it would work the way you said. In reality, it’s completely not working like that.
If Etsy would've just kept it for what it was (handmade items), then maybe things wouldn't be as bad as it has been. Entrepeneurship is the new wave, especially since Covid, and since social media has made that dream more accessible, here comes the money hungry shareholders convincing Etsy and other platforms to join in on the greed. Instead of helping small business owners make profit and achieve success, now they are making it harder to stay afloat.
@@Sedavis1982 Don't think its a fair response to their statement. @ProsperingWoman is discussing Etsy's actions being taking in real time to attempt a solution to a problem. While yours comes across dismissive because you don't like the change? "Maybe things wouldn't be so bad" doesn't give practical solutions to a problem happening now. I know as a new store myself, anytime I make a listing I'll get 2-5 scam msgs. I look forward to a time when I can safely assume a new msg in my box isn't someone trying to steal from me. :c
I feel the same. There's also the issue of many Etsy sellers not getting proper certification to do business in their state or country that could get Etsy in touble I imagine. Many people are most likely are unaware about the thresholds to which their businesses must pay quarterly income tax (in the US) and how much that is. I think Etsy being free to start contributed to that, in fact, the state I live in actually requires a business to register with the Dept of Taxation, otherwise you cannot legally collect income tax (although, I do not know with Etsy collecting the tax for you makes a difference, you still wouldn't legally be able to collect taxes at in-person shows from how I understand it).
If you're also operating under a store that is not in your legal name, even as a sole proprietorship, my state also REQUIRES you to apply and pay a fee for a business license to operate. That license was about $70, and most Etsy sellers do not run a shop with their legal name 😅. Not to mention, you HAVE to check the regulations and requirements in your county AND town you live in. There are additional permits etc I legally have to get to operate in the location I live in, even with an Etsy shop. That's not true everywhere, but it is on the biz owner to know what permits they need outside of the biz license or what their country/state/region/etc requires.
And, Etsy should be verifying ID's so they know that someone's identity hasn't been compromised. The IRS, at least in the US, doesn't exactly like not being able to track the proper identity of who is making that cash money and how much they make. No one can mess with the IRS 😅. I also wouldn't be too happy with someone earning money under my identity.
I do think that their customer service being hard to contact is bad business and doesn't help their shop owners. Them also holding onto funds is a bit messed up, but tbh you do sign a contract with Etsy when signing up. Legally shopowners GAVE them permission to do so. If you don't know about it, that means you didn't read the contract 😅.
From my understanding, they've actually always had this ability but are updating it. I remember literally reading something about how they can hold onto funds when I was signing up over a year ago.
It sucks, but they are protecting their business AND buying customers from getting scammed from shops that don't deliver or aren't really doing anything on the platform. For those shops who are legit but something is going wrong through the platform, Etsy does need to step up their customer service 😅. But, overall, their opening shop fee and fund retention model also adds to the certainty that those who are wanting to open a shop are actually serious about their business. I am now off my biz nerd soapbox 😂.
REALLY WANT TO STRESS GET CERTIFIED!!! FIND A TAX PRO TO HELP YOU!! OR THE IRS WILL FIND YOU IF YOU'RE PASSED THE THRESHOLD 😬😬😬
The Organized Money on YT actually just shared an article she wrote about her getting in trouble because she was unaware of federal and state requirements. She's got a lot of great biz advice too!!
....okay NOW I'm off lol.
Have a good day y'all!!
The reason Etsy has started to do this is to discourage scammers from joining. They are trying to combat the amount of scammers on the platform and also shops that open and never sell things.
Meanwhile there are chinese items sold on etsy😂
I dont think it be reason.....
Maybe on the surface.
But I doubt it personally.
I know of many resellers selling things from Ali Express that were reported to Etsy, even by me, with proof, and Etsy did nothing. if Etsy wanted to fight these scammers- they would close them when proof is handed over.
Some people never get to sell things because the algorithm doesn't push products out. Some people can be doing all they can to push their products out, with still no results. And since other platforms do not want you saying where you sell your items, if its not their platform, it makes it harder. If there are any tips to doing that, I would love to know.
They keep claiming that but the crap they're doing affects everyone negatively.
I'm a disabled business owner on Etsy. I do print on demand designs and make a small amount of money to supplement my very small income. This news has me almost in tears. With all of the changes Etsy is making that directly harm sellers, I want to leave the platform but I don't know where else to go that will actually get traffic and sales.
That is my question too, because unless we have followings it seems like there is not really a place for individual sellers.
These changes are for new sellers, if you already have a shop and sales, I doubt this will affect you... as for traffic- many people commented here that after years on Etsy, following the gift mode- their traffic dropped 90%.
Etsy has traffic, but that traffic is not guaranteed to come your way, and is at the mercy of algorithm changes.
The only way to build a sustainable brand is to build it yourself, with your own social media. There is no marketplace that will give you sales... Sorry to say that.
I had an Etsy shop that I set up 6 months ago and I cannot access it does this mean they have deleted it what if someone else has called there store with my name I had spent a lot on promotional artwork to set it up I'm just so worried right now and it seems even though I originally had a store they don't care as just want me to now pay £15 does everyone on Etsy have to pay this to claim there store back I'm so confused about this as my account doesn't seem to show anything hope someone can help
Me too. I am doing it to supplement my fixed disability income, and I'm afraid to open a new shop for $15 in case they shut it down before I make a sale.
While I don't sell on Etsy, as a small business owner, I cannot imagine shipping products to a customer and I don't receive payment for weeks. That's crazy. Who can afford that?
I buy from Etsy a lot and I was considering opening a store but not with all of the changes. It's just too sketchy now.
Right. And I was just about to start on Etsy. I guess I’ll stick with Gumroad😦
It happened last year, even made the news in the US with many sellers, physical goods handmade sellers, that had to close their shops cause Etsy decided to hold off paying them for a couple of months.
I think that these changes are "mild" cause 15$ to open a shop once paid- not so much... but the language they use, the vague timeline of getting paid... it sounds like worse things are coming.
Me too...AND I've heard people complaining about their accts being suspended.
Mey said she just made a video including other vending platforms. I would look into them. Etsy is a failing company struggling to pick up the pieces while keeping the tools that's breaking it down.
Well, R.I.P. Etsy then. It USED to be a great platform. Even their stocks are tanking from $250/share in Nov 2021 to $80 three months ago. Now they're at $65 and dropping. They're more volatile than crypto right now.
Shopify is actually gaining ground. Mostly from people leaving Etsy voluntarily or not.
@@ng3347my acc got suspended literally at this moment while I also had an order to finish 💀 my store had decent ratings and overall was good but now it’s all gone
I don't know what I would do without you. I learn so much from you...Thank You.
Awwww thanks hun
Etsy charging $15 will slow down the cloned shops where one person would create a hundred or so shops and fill them with product, using scripts and bots.
No it won’t. $15 is nothing compared to how much they will make with each store.
Paying $15 and getting suspended without any reason and withouy any refund , this is a clear SCAM!!!🤬🤬
Regarding the mockups: from what I gathered watching other vids and reading posts is that you CAN use mockups, but they must be of the actual item you're selling. A mockup of a generic tumbler might not accurately represent the tumbler you sell from Printful, creating a bad customer experience, and I believe that's what they are cracking down on. (again, based on other sources' interpretations and my own reading). You can use the PNG of the item that Printful supplies you and make any kind of mockup, or purchase mockups from Etsy sellers to use, etc, but it must be a mockup of the actual item. If you're selling a Gildan tee, make sure the mockup is a Gildan tee, etc. Clear as mud. 😂 There are so many sellers who create mockups - all the top POD shops use mockups - if the rule was "no mockups" it wouldn't make sense. Then again, there is so much about Etsy that doesn't make sense...
I agree. I don’t think they’re saying you can’t use external mockups. They’re referring to the images being identical to what you’re selling. If external mockups were prohibited, I would’ve been banned a long time ago.
Indeed! I've recently bought a mockup, just to see how it works, and some details were not like the original product, so probably mockups created with AI , adapted later in post edit. For me, this makes sense.
Thanks for clarifying! I was freaking out after spending 8 hrs creating mockups....phew!
Most the mockups that you find these days are Ai generated, when ordering a mockup make sure it’s real photography. There is so much Ai junk out there now.
This only affects new shops! I wouldn’t take a chance am just gonna take a pic of the finished tee on a manikin
Thanks so much for the info Mey. I kove how down to earth and "real you are when you share about your life. Love your videos!
I think they’re doing it to stop many of the people who are doing print on demand. Like you said, we have to pay for our print on demand stuff, and if someone has to wait, to be paid, if they’re a beginner, then they will be screwed. There is so much junk on Etsy now, it’s horrible. You have too many YTers, aka Etsy gurus, telling people how to basically steal best selling designs, and put it on a T-shirt or mug, and now, it is just full of bad designs. I don’t blame the handmade sellers for being angry about all of the AI artwork, either. I mean people who are selling AI artwork, can’t really say it is handmade, if they are just taking the image from midjourney and putting it up for sale. Some of the stuff isn’t even good, like they did nothing to fix the issues with it. Now, if someone wants to buy artwork, they have to sift through all of that AI stuff, and they may just not purchase at all.
yes! thank you! That is what I am saying! I think it is a good thing.
Yeah, I wonder if they measured how long it takes for a would be customer to give up on finding anything novel on etsy if they had to scroll past 3 pages of AI art
I am on your side. But Etsy can make filter, for customer searching for example, without AI Art. And close shops or warning shopowner, they breaking the rule, they selling their designs as handmade. But on the other side. Graphic designer make handmade too. It is difficult.
It seems like Etsy are making it more expensive for new shops in the handmade market which was the original core of the marketplace.
Etsy hasn’t been handmade for years. But they like to advertise that they are so their gifts look unique
True@@LindaM1976 I used to sell handmade cards on there 10 years ago.
I think if Etsy charges $15.00 to open the shop, and then immediately shuts it down without reason, people should call their credit card company and file a charge back complaint. It's not right to do that to people, these arbitrary shop suspensions for no stated reasons. It's that aspect alone that I find very disturbing. It makes me hesitant to try opening my shop there .
I agree with that!!!
@@lisapearlman , it's actually called "unjust enrichment" under the law.
Paying $15 and getting suspended without any reason and withouy any refund , this is a clear SCAM!!!🤬🤬
As a potential Etsy seller, the news about the fee is annoying, but not quite enough to stop me from continuing. The issue of delayed payments, though, really tics me off; they will make interest on my funds while they hold onto them, on top of the fees they already charge. If the $15 fee exists to discourage non-serious sellers, I guess that may benefit those who have real businesses on Etsy, but it does sound like a cash grab. The main benefit I see with having a shop on Etsy is the built-in set of potential customers--setting up a Shopify when I'm unsure if my products will sell well and I'm an unknown in the marketplace doesn't seem like a smart move unless I dedicate a boatload of money for advertising. Perhaps it's the current Etsy sellers who are more riled up about these changes than us newbies??
Hi Mey, thanks for sharing the news about Etsy. Such a shame to hear they are bringing in fees for new stores. Etsy is not for me but it is for many. Charging to use platforms is becoming so common now.
Yeah, it is becoming more and more "pay to play" on a lot of platforms... Etsy/Society6... even the changes made with RB/TP tiers & fees, and even started when marketplaces like Art of Where shut down and became supplier only.
More and more people are signing up to sell, majority are not with any knowledge, and just following the mass-upload-become-rich advice from bad RUclipsrs, and never do marketing.
Platforms "fight back" I guess.
This can be a very good thing to prevent the dropshippers and scammer types from opening shops.
@@malyssa_ That's the thing, they can still open a shop. Scammers perhaps less, but dropshippers- can still do it. They just will get their money later. This act of delayed payments, from what I see, is mostly deterring actual handmade sellers, cause they can't afford to flip the costs of supplies and shipping when just starting their own small handmade business... I remember, last year when Etsy also delayed payments, a lot of them were on the news saying they have to close their shops, and after years of creating full time have to get a job and even close down their studio can't affording to keep the space anymore.
It's really sad how they're not only charging $15 for a store,but holding payments also.. Not thinking about the new people starting out. Having to pay their $15, all out of pocket. I think Im going to hold out on any listings until I find out more.. Thank you for the information
Well. I won't quit Etsy. But after all this, I am even more convinced that Etsy cannot be a seller's sole site for e-commerce. However, I watched a couple friends migrate to other sites, which I am afraid to name, that pretty abruptly shut down and they never got their money they were owed. At least Etsy has a lengthy history. I think I will continue with Etsy, Ebay and create a site of my own just in case. Most people who have had their shops shut down, when you delve into why, it's usually copyright infringement issues...like somebody stupidly using Taylor Swift's song lyrics or Disney characters that are definitely NOT public domain. Or reselling stuff from Temu...and I can't say I disagree with Etsy there. None of us want our art stolen and sold by others. There's a lot of scamming going on. Maybe the new rules will prevent some of that. We'll see. Thanks for the video!
Hi Mey. Great video as always 👍 I found out about this fee a couple of months back and decided to open up my own shop. I found a link somewhere that hooked me up with 40 free listings. But, I haven’t put anything up for sale yet. I’m kinda stuck on picking the right niche, and honestly, I’m a bit worried about wasting time with all the changes that keep popping up every month 🤔
I have 4 shops on Etsy, two do well although the last month has been quiet and down on the same time last year.
In the past, I've had 2 shops shut down, never found out why, both were 5 star shops with rave reviews, then out of the blue they shut down overnight! When I tried to find out why, I was told their decision was final and not to contact them anymore.
Because of this and all the horror stories of what's happening to other shops for no reason, I'm now building a website combining all the items from 3 of my Etsy shops.
I'll start promoting it on all the usual platforms along sending my existing Etsy customers direct marketing for the new website. I know it's going to be hard work, but if it means escaping from the increasing pressure and costs of Etsy, it will be worth it.
Can you send Etsy customers direct marketing?
@cassafrasskotter7238
Every order you receive has their email address. Also, Etsy has started their own programme for you to create a mailing list to action with your customers after they make a purchase.
I would be absolutely infuriated if that happened to me. That's on the level of someone in a years long relationship getting a final note about a conflict never resolved having the last word and saying, "don't contact me, live with the unresolved hurt forever". Pretty damn brutal.
Thank you Mey. I've been on the fence about shutting down my Etsy. Its just not profitable for me. I love your channel!
Thanks for your information ☺️
Welcome 😊
Can’t wait for the video!
Hey dear, thanks for this news flash. I will divide my comment into 2 sections 1.Etsy fees and the 15$ store opening - I think Etsy want to stop the streaming of new sellers who are not serious about their shops so it might be a good thing for us sellers. 2.about the mockups, I was really scared, they removed one t-shirt of mine and the reason was unclear, said something about counterfeit. in general the mockup things is a really scary topic, and maybe Printify, Printful and the others ganged together to push place it out of competition? just my speculations, take care xoxox PS - I am thinking to open a shopify store!
I don't think Printful or Printify had anything to do with it... I mean- why would they ?
Using Place it doesn't mean anything for them, and they generally recommend Place it and have a good business connection with them as far as I know from my contacts on place It.
I think it was caused due to soooo many sellers finding a cool mockup of a "tshirt" and not realizing it's not the same one as they are selling and a lot of buyers complaining about it. But hey, who knows, right ?
@@MeyTribe Sounds logical as well
I was going to open an etsy shop but now probably not. I make jewelry. the 15 dollar fee with no guarantee Ill make money (and I'm already paying a commission, plus my costs). Then they want my ID and photo, I don't use a photo on any of my shops. I don't like to put my photo anywhere public, one because its not my thing and two because there are a lot of crazy people in this country. I'll find someplace else.
In all honesty the photo ID thing is putting me off more than anything else.
Thank you for the info
I think I will give it a shot anyway but keep looking for other ways to sell. I am even considering selling them on actual market places, hot selling. Thank you for the video!
I used to make jewellery on Etsy, but the influx of clearly non-handmade jewellery (Wish, Temu, etc.,) made it totally impossible for me to compete.
It's crazy you're only saying this now... I remember working with jewellery makers 5 years ago that were saying the same thing even then! Maybe not with Temu and Wish, but with people who just go and buy cheap jewellery in cheaper countries and selling them on Etsy as handmade...
I don't think you should compete... I think you need to build your own shop!! and it can take longer to get the word out there, but if it works- it's truly yours !
Lack of control scares the crap out of me as a long time seller who’s paycheck to paycheck
I feel ya. But that's kinda the whole print on demand scene. You can have a successful shop selling a product- that the company will decide to discontinue, or maybe one day you'll have some messed up orders cause of one factory worker... There is almost no control in this field. BUT, yeah, Etsy is def at the bottom of control VS responsibilities and the options for things to get messed up
@@MeyTribe what’s at the top?
@@pj218 At the top of most control ? Make your own items and deliver them by hand to buyers. (cause many businesses failed for bad shipping... )
There is no control with print on demand, you're literally not the one making the item.
@@MeyTribe selling directly through Etsy with its changing policies is sketchy enough. I take accountability for everything but.who do I scold for long production times, and do they CARE about that-when it’s not their name?
@@pj218 If the production time is longer than the supplier told you- you need to switch supplier. It has nothing to do with Etsy... They are a marketplace, not a shop.
It's the same as if you go to the mall and a seller at a clothing store is mean to you- it's not the mall that did this or responsible for it. It's the brand, the shop specifically.
Thanks for the update, Mey! I'm not a new Etsy seller (I have a printable art shop which is mostly dormant), but I've been thinking of opening a second shop with handmade knits. This news hasn't changed my plans, but it does make me want to wait to see what other changes may be in store. The $15 fee is what it is...yeah, it's frustrating to have to pay for something that was free, but otherwise, it's not an unreasonable ask. Like Mey, I'm mainly curious about the "maybes." Does this mean current shop owners might be grandfathered in if they open a new shop? (I hope!) In light of all this, I'm also now considering rebranding my first shop instead of starting from scratch. Lots to watch for and think about.
Thank you so much for explaining the new rules... I was considering opening a shop on Etsy but have seen too much in the past year about them scr$&+$&g their shop owners... Closing shops with no warning and then issuing a big "OOPS! OUR MISTAKE!" I think any other platform would be a better choice at this point. I also love your product line. I worked for a computer sales company in the 1980s, as the technical support and training manager. I also made the benchmarks for the trade shows and did the demonstrations in the booths at the huge tradeshows in New York and Chicago. I wanted to become a designer at that time but it would cost tens of thousands to get into the business. You can do as much with your free software and procreate as we did with the $300K system... Of course I had a digitizing table that you could take a nap on!😅 Thank you for inspiring me to try that dream again after all these years! I just found you a couple of days ago and you are truly a godsend❤
I’ve been an Etsy seller since 2016 and it’s a totally different platform now. I have 4,000 sales but the new algorithm and gift mode has really hurt my sales because I sell printable png art. The fees aren’t that bad but I think most people open stores there because it’s cheap to start up and it’s a platform where there is already traffic. A lot of people don’t know how to drive traffic to their own website. And one big issue with people starting out is they want lots of sales right away and it doesn’t work like that.
The community forums apparently has a lot of bugs. I saw a thread on there where over 200 people posted they were locked out of certain posts (I am currently as well, same screen you got), and the mods have to manually unblock you from seeing it. Not good that there's that many people affected, and they don't have a auto-fix for it yet.
Just started on Etsy with POD and I’ve experienced what you’ve talked about, but I think (guessing here) they’re trying to keep it tidy and free of people turning it into a money grab - to keep it as the platform intended. I see lots of copycat stores. While I do look at what’s popular in there, I want to sell what I LIKE and create. I hope to at least cover my cost of creating and having a shop, but I feel like I’m drowning in a sea of sellers who duplicate with the bare minimum of originality. Love your channel so far :)
Honestly, I'm getting tired of Etsy and thinking about closing my shop. I've been on Etsy for a year, selling printables, but my shop never took off. I'm not sure if it's because my products aren't in demand or something else. But the fees are crazy; I don't make enough sales to cover the costs, so I end up paying out of my pocket. When you're on a very tight budget, or almost non-existent, you have to decide when it's time to give up. Luckily, there's Payhip, and for now, I'm sticking to it. I know it's not the same, but even on Etsy, I bring in most of my traffic🤷♀️
Hi, I've had enough of Etsy. Between the very unfair competition and the costs, not to mention the fact that I bring back visitors, who then flee to the competitors. Etsy is the only winner. I've been on Etsy since Nov. 2023 and it's not working for me either, despite all the advertising on Pinterest and the right SEO choices. Maybe my products aren't any good, maybe the advertising isn't optimised, maybe there are too many sellers in the same niche. In any case, the fact that I'm literally "selling off" my products means that I'll never be able to pay for the time and effort I put into creating them. It's frustrating and depressing... I'm seriously thinking of trying FW, but I don't know...
Translated from French
@@soniafranciscana6465 totally agree and understand you. Wherever the path may take you next,I wish you luck💞
Yeah, y’all don’t give up. Not yet anyway. Etsy has way too much competition for us. The only way to make it work on an over crowded platform is to make something that really stands out. Something different. We gotta figure out what to make. I’m trying Gumroad for my printables and I’m going to add my art there too. At least on Gumroad I only pay a percentage when something sells. It’s not a perfect set up but it’s perfect for me for now.
I’m thinking TikTok too. Have y’all thought about that?
@@Livija13 Thank you 😉 good luck to u 2🙏
I feel you on this. I sell printables on Etsy too. I plan on launching a Shopify store on my blog to sell my Printables. Etsy has too much competition.
I have it on my to-do list to open an Etsy store. But I wanted to wait until I have more products. If they would at least drop some of the other fees for having to pay extra to open a shop I would have my other stuff ready faster but I'm taking my time to see if it's worth it. There are still alternatives.
I can access forums but not the page you were trying to either. But there's another announcement you might be able to access in announcements about Strengthening onboarding process that talks about the new Etsy shop fee. I heard they might only be introducing it to some regions/countries
Looking forward to your tour on April 1st.
Just about to film it now!! (hope people will be gentle commenting on my mess LOL )
I can’t access the community either. I’ve been selling for 4 years. 22,000 sales, star seller, perfect 5 star ratings down the board. My traffic has also dropped to practically non existent. Went from like 600 visitors a day to averaging around 40. Started selling on Mercari. Yeah they hold money till the buyer gets it, but now they have done away with all fees. 100% of the money is yours!!
Same here and since they changed their algorithm and put gift mode in place they tanked my store
Thank you Jenny and Linda for this info. Bought a store a while ago and was ready to launch first couple of items, but I'll see what they do. Will check out Mercari. Thank you!
I’ve been considering opening an Etsy store in the future. Now I know I’ll do Shopify instead. I know it’s more work and marketing all on me, but if I am going to put in all the work to start a business, I want it to be MY business.
I’m surprised by people’s reaction to this. It’s a ONE-time fee of $15. It’s not a recurring charge. Amazon charges $40/month. Shopify is $40.
I think the delayed payments are a sound business decision on Etsy’s part.
These changes will deter some bad actors from entering the market.
If someone intends to open an Etsy shop or start a small business/side hustle, expecting some upfront cost is a given isn’t it? I find it mind boggling to expect otherwise.
Plenty of other platforms withhold your money. Sure, Shopify pays you immediately, but again you pay a monthly subscription fee.
I welcome these changes and think it’s a net positive.
I don't think that the 15$ is such a bog deal as well, it's why this video wasn't called "Etsy killed Print on demand" LOL
I think that Etsy is fighting the rise of people signing up a million shops and spamming with bad merch to make "quick cash" ....
However, the delayed payments can and will be an issue for so many people, as it's no longer starting a business without funds. When Etsy delayed payments last year for so many sellers some people went bankrupt as suddenly they were out 15K of product cost, not just POD but a lot of people with a physical handmade business.
Saying they will consider scheduling, is nice and yeah- it's important, but they never state for how long.
And yeah, upfront costs are a given for a lot of us... but a lot of people open these shops based on "advice" from RUclipsrs saying how easy this is, how free this is...
And yeah, Shopify pays right away, and if the item isn't arriving your Paypal will get a chargeback.
Generally? I agree with you. Hence, again, not talking about how "crazy" this is, but people need to know what they're getting into when opening a shop, and a lot of times, they don't do enough research and get bad outcomes.
@@MeyTribe yep. We are in agreement. Sorry, I wasn’t accusing you of being negative about the $15. I was referencing other people on forums. Every time Etsy makes a change, Facebook group etc. kind of freaks out.
Just so we’re clear, I like your videos, your approach as a RUclipsr and how you lay out your info. I used to work for an Etsy coach and did coaching so I’m familiar with the “advice” that’s out there.
I can see the delayed payments as an issue, especially for sellers that sell high ticket items, but I still think people should have back up funds for that. Like a business credit card or something. I hold inventory. My cash is tied up in my inventory which is its own set of problems. It’s just… the reality of doing business.
How they rolled it out was terrible, yes. There didn’t seem to be any rhyme or reason. communication was TERRIBLE.
I will say, Etsy is terrible at executing their strategy plans.
Thanks for all you do and your content. Recently found you as well so lots of binging. 😄
Exactly…to both of you!!!
15 is a non factor. It's just a business cost. Plus yoi can still get 40 free listings right? So thats like 8 dollars saved already
Check out the other comments where the fee was paid and then the shop shut down almost immediately.
As someone who trying to get my store up and running, this was good information. I did have to pay the $15 bucks, but I just started my setup probably the day you posted this. lol Now I am not so sure I should be doing this. I wanted to start with etsy to get a feel for things while hopefully making a transition to my own site.
Wether you should start or not- is up to you.
We still have no idea how long Etsy will be holding off payments for new sellers, so it's up to you and how much you can afford to sell without getting paid.
I would love it if they did away with print on demand. It just floods the searches. Not to mention how they push digital items first. Was looking for a tumbler and all I got were mock ups for with the tumbler wrap. I just gave up.
Yes, I have access with no issues at all even though I don't have any active listing
Thanks so much for this video! I just tried logging into the community platform but to no avail.
I am New on Etsy and to tell you the truth, it’s discouraging knowing that one’s products aren’t really displayed when a potential customer finally click on your product. I have been on for about two months and have also come across many who’s stores have been suspended without any whatsoever explanation. I feel that sellers are being discouraged from opening stores on Etsy.
What other options are out there for print on demand.
I will really appreciate an alternative.
Thanks once more for this! ❤
Same here. I'm signed in and I don't have access to the Etsy community. Glad it's not just me. Oh, and as soon as I made my first sale on Etsy two weeks ago, I received an email from them saying " congratulations" and then a second email an hour later saying " We've put your account on a payment reserve for 90 days". That's their idea of congratulating me?
I was just in the process of starting an Etsy store when I ran into the new set up fee. I immediately came to RUclips to find any news. I won’t be creating an Etsy store anymore. The fact that I will have to wait until who knows when for my payment is a no-no.
I have heard that this means you can still use external mockups as long as they do actually represent the item. Such as buying Gildan mockups for a Gildan shirt and not Bella Canvas mockups for a Gildan shirt as they are not actual representations.
Exactly!
I heard that to, and I know people who use them. But based on what Etsy stated in their policy they mentioned 2 photo options- 1, that you took, and 2, from the supplier. There's logic- and I agree with you that there are very exact mockups on place it, and there's rules of a platform. I have already seen people banned from Etsy using accurate Place it mockups...
When I speak here- I go extra cautious, and stick to the rules and guidelines... Even if my opinion is that there are very exact mockups on Place it.
I just stated a store about 2 weeks ago. I didn't have to pay the 15$ fee but it did mention that my funds may be withheld for a bit. I haven't had a sale yet to see if that is going to be imposed or not. Looking at setting up my own site currently.
thank you- really
Always
They already had a wait on some new shops, so does that mean it will be longer now? I emptied my old shop when I had to wait for payment because I couldn't continue without getting paid.
Hey! -- I didn't know about the nix on the non-production partner mock-ups use. I have prints in my shop. I went through my shop and deactivated everything that needed to be checked. Whew! Did you save my shop? Dunno. Could be, though! Not surprised about the $15 for new shops. And TOTALLY unsurprised about 'exploring options' for delaying payment to sellers as long as f****** possible. Why don't they just keep all the money? They make it so hard by doing all these 'break things and fix it later' policies, and then delay, delay, delay on the payments that their sellers have worked hard to earn. Not my momma's Etsy! Alas.
I am thinking going into ecommerce and finishing listings for my etsy store that was a while ago but that is crazy a lot more places to list.
Def crazy changes... even not that they changes, but the phrasing that they "may" charge, and the unclear schedule for getting paid... super shady.
YAY! I didn't miss it!
LOL, Happy to see people are happy with the different timing LOL
@@MeyTribe Great job Stinks about waiting till April but grateful for ya! (Stay safe and on your toes April 8th)
What happens on April 8th ?? Did I miss something?
@@MeyTribe So Much buzz about the eclipse. The amount of visitor to our town is expected to more than double in visitors
I started a new shop two weeks ago and they didnt charge me for the setup. The setup fee was already announced when I did it, but like I said, I wasn't charged.
I created my first Etsy shop on March 19th. I was not charged any fees except when I added listings, which were then charged at the end of the month. Did these new rules go into effect after than 19th of March?
It really is a shame when u always have to watch ur back when trying to make a buck, thanks for ur concern, I wish I had come across u sooner 😁
So is etsy worth it for just stickers and prints? Im wondering whether or not to use my website for reopening my store or to use both my site and etsy. Nicely done video by the way.
That is so weird that this happened to you on the Etsy community forum because it happened to me just a couple of hours ago. In my case I am one of those naughty banned people who are not good enough to use Etsy any more but I use Etsy for research and such. So, I thought it was due to my being banned that they would not let me view the forum but I guess maybe not? Who knows since Etsy is NOT built on trust or transparency!
I have an Etsy account and shop, and got the same message about being signed in to see forums, when I was already signed in. Confusing. But I looked up things in the search box and threads of discussions popped up below. Guess it's just a banner message to all.
Can digital products, like printable art, show external mock ups since there is no production partner? Like with my digital ai art, I show mock ups with the image on various products to show what you could do/make with the printable art.
Also, looking at closing my store, I already have a website that I'm directing traffic to. I'll do that for a while but most of my new listings go up on my website and not on Etsy
I don't see these changes as a bad thing. As Etsy started to be polluted with drop shippers and scammers. Glad they're cleaning it up.
I agree with the thought behind this.
However, the Etsy automated suspension bug still hasn't been fixed, and in the past month many people who actually have handmade items- paid the fee and got suspended after 24-48 hours.
Dropshippers, and not the POD ones who actually design, but those selling from China- have been on Etsy at least a decade, and a lot of them are still active, including people selling infringed items.
The theory - let's charge and and make the marketplace better- is amazing... But what's actually happening is people just pay to open a shop, with no oversight.
What Camera and setting are u using. Picture clear 🔥
I can't access the community since months, they also kept my payments on hold for months and sometimes there was even some money missing. So I stopped selling there, no point.
I'm curious what this means for people who sell digital products. I don't have many, but the few I do have, I use mockups for so that the buy knows for certain that there is no physical object that they'll be sent...
I was thinking the same thing !!
hey what do you think of teemill & etsy intergration... great etsy info
I never knew they integrated.
If i were to sell Teemill items, I'd do it with a Teemill shop, not with Etsy.
I’m thinking about starting an Etsy store but now I’m worried. What alternatives would you recommend? I make my own jewelry but do not have the funds to be paying out of pocket.
Alternatives to a marketplace or alternatives for selling?
2 different things.
I currently don't know of a handmade marketplace out there... but alternatives for selling are huge!!
Every shop builder under the sun: shopify, woocommerce, squarespace... Maybe give Payhip a try. They are mostly known here on the channel for printables, but you can sell your own physical items there and they pay with Paypal. (free to open a Payhip account BTW)
About a month ago, I opened a new Etsy shop and it was shut down within two days without an explanation why. That seems to happen quite a lot and must be automated, so no human eyes on the case and that has me wondering if they are planning to cash on the registration fee and closing new shops without a refund on a big scale.
On the other hand, the ID check might result in less applications (especially by bots) which might give them a chance to actually look into a case before suspending the account.
For now, I will let the Etsy project go and see how things develop for at least a year before considering opening a shop again.
Thanks for your thoughts and for highlighting the situation.
Yes, this happened to me too I was so frustrated. Trying to get help and even Etsy helpers, couldn't. Yeah, customers couldn't help me they. I don't know they couldn't understand what how was doing wrong or whatever. But so what's the solution for this?
I don't really mind these new rules. I have been selling on Etsy for about 10 months now. I remember when I first started selling with Etsy, they used to withhold about 75% of my sales revenue until I shipped the items. I really didn't mind as I figured it was to protect the buyer and make sure that I was not some scammer. I don't have any problems as of now with payment delays. However, I do get very nervous about how little control we have on the market, and thus began setting up a Shopify store. I've heard of folks getting banned for no apparent reason and sometimes getting reinstated weeks or even months later--by then the damage is done. I really need my Etsy income.🤷
From your previous where to sell Printful stuff I had already understood...
Etsy = Nope
Shopify, wix, = meh, maybe
Wordpress = yes
Fourthwall = Hella yes!
😂
I think this is to discourage bots from just setting up a ton of shops. The same reasons that they closed so many new shops as well.
Yeah, maybe... But it also discourages actual sellers from signing up, with that money withhold thing. Also, wanna prevent a bot from opening a shop ? the ID part would be enough.
The new shops closing, most that i have heard from, are legit sellers still affected by the Etsy shutdown bug that they have had for over 5 years now.
I was looking into starting my shop, and hear the crap going on with them, but seriously reconsidering going somewhere else now.
I shouldn’t have to send in ID to prove that I’m me or wait weeks to get paid or have payment held up. That’s just stupid! I know you have to have money to make it, but even so, many people who don’t still need to get paid before sending out their products. And how are you supposed to prove you are a valid shop that’s got good earning potential and are legit if they do things like this that block you from temporarily doing just that?! And why should I have to send in my ID?! They’re not a government agency and need my home address or other private info on there that is meant only for lawful reasons. You’re not applying for a job so that’s off the table too! Sending your info like this over the internet leaves more room for you to become a fraud victim and for what?! Just to have them say you’re ok to start up with them? That just seems sketchy especially with a company that’s being more sketchy over the years.
The fact that they’re charging you more for doing less for you is just ridiculous. After hearing of all these shops getting shut down with no explanation then this, no thanks! I’m glad I saw this before officially signing up which was my goal this week! Now I can actually spend more time finding a different platform because I won’t contribute to a shady company like this! The more that people opt not to, it will send them a message on what they will and won’t tolerate and getting screwed shouldn’t be one of those things. I think they wave the fact that they are already an established platform with traffic already coming in, but if it’s not good enough to stand up over time, even that means crap!
This also makes me want to reconsider even buying on this platform as well because I don’t want to contribute to the gain of this company any more! I will be deleting my Etsy app as well so I won’t be tempted to buy on there any more. I hope these shop owners find an alternative platform to sell on because they shouldn’t want their business model be associated with shady people like this. It’s not good for THEIR business either!
I don’t think even if they shipped and shaped up that I’d come back either. They are ruining their reputation and fast! Just take one look at all their bad reviews on YT here! Too many people are getting screwed over by them and it’s not ok!
I had an Etsy shop from summer to winter 2022, and from the beginning I had the same experience. Was logged in, got the warning message, couldn't access the Etsy community. So, after nearly two years they haven't fixed that?
I’m had that same thing happen in one of my shops where I was signed in but couldn’t access the forums. I have 3 shops and was able to access via another shop but was weird.
So I guess I'd need more shops to access the forum LOL
and i was wondering why my payouts are delayed... edit: 1.9k in funds are "stuck" there. yeah nice now i have to set my shop on "vacation" until i get the money :D
I'm sorry to hear that hun... I know it was happening about a year ago... and now they are doing it on purpose, a lot of people are closing shops or placing them on vacation due to not getting paid. It's just sad they are doing it. I'm sorry.
I have the same issue with the forum, says access denied, I'm logged in, and if I click on log in , doesn't do anything. Already contacted them, let's see what they say...
Can't access community either, I too have an old shop.
You actually can use mockups, but the seller is responsible for ensuring it accurately depicts their product. For example you can't just use a mockup image of a generic t-shirt from Placeit when you are selling a Gildan t-shirt. Your image needs to be of a Gildan t-shirt. Also if you are using AI generated mockups there will always be a risk that the product is not accurately represented. Safest bet is to only purchase mockups that are actual photographs (or take your own pics) of the product. The problems occur when you are not showing a photo of the product you are selling, your photo is just of something similar. There are some awesome mockup shops by actual photographers, my faves are Milonic, Ratty Tank & Moonlit Mockups ❤
My first question is: IF you have an Etsy shop already, why are you upset at new shops being charged $15 to open? If the new shops are vetted to assure they are not drop shipping, copyright violating, LEGAL folks selling LEGAL things, the rest of us should not be worried.
And if you are doing anything that would get you rejected by Etsy, please stop.
I am not upset, I am only sharing news, I don't sell on Etsy.
Also, if they used that money to actually clean-house, that would be awesome. But they are still paying dropshippers and people who sell disney, and withholding money from people who sell actual handmade...
Also, Etsy has a bug that suspends new shops for like 5 years now, I've already seen many comments, and got DMs from people who paid this fee, upload an actual physical handmade item, and were suspended for no reason, with no suspension email (which is the bug that wasn't fixed).
I tried to start an Etsy store just over 2 weeks ago. It was suspended at 13 hours old, so I sent in an appeal. Before the two weeks was up the store managed to get suspended again. Is this common for a store to be suspended while suspended? Appeal number two has gone in and I have pointed out that my store was still suspended when it received its second suspension . I’m still not sure why it was suspended in the first place.
what platform do you think is the best to sell on?and cheapest?
That depends on what you want to sell. Most marketplaces are free to start selling on. But again- it depends what you wanna sell, as you can't sell printable coloring pages on RedBubble, or a print on demand tshirt on Creative Fabrica.
The best platform in my opinion to sell on- is on your own website, gathering your own audience, and creating items they would like.
I'm logged in and have the same banner at the top but I'm able to get into the forums
The stage I’m in is deciding if I would open a store in Etsy. If I’m going to put in the work and use social media to drive traffic to my Etsy store, I rather do it to a Shopify store. I’m really scared of Etsy at this point.
I think it's the right thing to do regardless... I mean, driving traffic into Etsy seems mad to me, literally with all of your competitors there!
It might take longer on your own - but it's truly yours!!
I remember when Etsy started. It was more like an “online mall” for handmade goods. Providing a great way for artists to reach a larger market…however…the artists brought customers to the platform also. Etsy grew, went public and now it’s more about 💵. It’ll get to a point where it makes more sense to start your own website, which is where I’m headed. Do you have a video on alternative platforms that are friendly to handmade goods? I know there are some out there, just don’t know which to choose.
Thanks for the video! I have a question regarding Etsy Fees. In February, March, and April of this year at the beginning of the month I now have a fee listed as "Card Payment." It's not a listing fee, it's not for Etsy Ads... I tried to get some answers from Etsy Customer Support - which was not helpful. Does anyone know what the Card Payment fee is about? From what I can tell, it just started recently. Feeling frustrated...
Not sure if I could help. Sounds to me like it's a fee for buyers paying with a certain credit card? not sure if it's for all buyers... And I can't really help at this without seeing everything you're seeing... Have you asked Etsy or checked the fees page ?
Oh, and you still have Etsy gurus out here telling people that the mock-up policy doesn’t mean that they can’t use a mock-up that they buy on Etsy. You know, since they are the ones selling the mock-ups on Etsy, and if they aren’t selling them, then they are promoting them, for their friends who are selling them on Etsy. I use the printify mock-ups, because there are some highly successful stores that do use them. The thing is, if you have a good design, not a stolen best selling design, but a good and different design, and someone wants it, they will buy it. I have seen some really bad mock-ups, but the stores still sell, a lot. These gurus aren’t just telling people to buy the Etsy mock-ups, they’re telling them to buy the same ones that the best selling shops are using, so I hate shopping on Etsy now, you see the same mock-up, with the same designs, but being sold from different stores, constantly. I don’t shop too much on Etsy, but I did open a store, and there is no way I would want to shop there, now, between all of the garbage and all of the bad AI, it’s so boring, and I am not their targeted audience.
I need help. Im on Etsy for like 2 months but I havent sell anything. Do you think thath Etsy will hold the money I should get?
Ammm they can't hold what you don't have... I mean, if you haven't sold anything you are owed nothing. do I think that maybe when you do sell they will withhold the money ? who knows. My guess- yes, as they withhold everyone's money at the beginning to create a reserve in case of returns or scams.
I can't access the forum either. It's horrible.
As a side topic, I came across a shop I thought was breaking IP rules, but the function to report the shop was just not there, for me at least. Tried googling solutions, and the steps listed did not help. Perhaps it will be found anyway, since they seem to be trying to stop shops that break the rules etc. But I find this concerning.
Don’t be a 🐀
What is the current ruling on Mockups and Digital Downloads? Thank you
I have no idea!
These were the guidelines for images with a production partner, nothing about digital files.
I just had the same problem with that Etsy forum link. Sigh.
I have been on Etsy from early days, and will be closing my shop as soon as my website is up and running. Their fees and policies are ridiculous! I sold 4 items, and should have made $160. By the time I paid for fees, the "required" shipping, and materials, I made exactly $49!!! That was the last straw.
The delayed payment is insane
I know. as if they were not "crazy" enough to begin with with the mess last year of suddenly not paying people.
And maybe now people would consider if to start a shop, as they are gonna pay out of pocket for everything.
@@MeyTribe certainly doesn’t help if you want to do large volume or get some influencer or someone to boost your product and then that’s all kinds of money out of your pocket for 90 days?!?!
Yup. My advice for new seller would honestly be now- try not to have too many sales LOL
@@MeyTribe it makes more sense for Etsy to pay the print on demand company themselves and just give you whatever leftovers after all of their fees and everything else and if they want to delay that payment till it ships or whatever that’s fine but it shouldn’t be out of the sellers pocket with print on demand if they’re gonna be holding the money like that, it doesn’t even seem legal🤦♀️
@@TruthIsNot4Sale Where was it that it would be 90 days? I agree that it doesn't even seem legal and was thinking it's actually a form of theft. Also they aren't transparent about what they do with the large sums of money. Are they investing it and earning money with seller's money?
So they already started charging the $15 for each new shop? I heard they hadn’t said when, so it’s been tested and confirmed now?
They are charging it for people who start a shop now.,
However, as I mentioned- the phrasing is weird, the "may" part...
Some people said they opened a shop 2 weeks ago and paid 15$, some said they opened last week and paid nothing, others paid 5$... it's just a confusing mess.