In this video, I share the reasons why I made the difficult decision to quit selling on Etsy. If you're considering leaving Etsy or just curious about my experience, this video is for you. Watch till the end to hear my honest thoughts on why I decided to say goodbye to Etsy. Don't forget to like and subscribe for more content on entrepreneurship and online selling!
Hi Karen, I had exactly the same experience with Etsy. After selling 3 baby quilts in 6 months plus having one fraud attack on a dummy sale trying to get my bank details, it really didn’t feel like it was worth all the effort so I closed the shop. I also tried a smaller UK based hand crafted site called Folksy but that was also very slow with sales. I have now given up selling my surplus quilts and instead donate them to Project Linus which aims to give quilty hugs to anyone in need. I love your honesty and everything you do in your channel. Thank you.
yes, it would be nice to sell the items there is nothing wrong with the idea that your items can be bought, some people feel that it's wrong to sell and yes, it's also good to give away.
Karen, My quilter friends who need to sell to make some money are more successful selling on eBay. You can even action on eBay according with what I was told. Start with a minimum price and see where it goes. I would definitely try eBay before donating everything. After spending so much money on fabrics, notions, utilities bills, dedicated time and more, it is just fair to expect to be paid for your products. Success and good luck 🙏
For many years Etsy has been my go to for hand crafted items however of late the platform seems to have disregarded the handcrafted for many mass produced items that takes away from its original concept and that is disappointing as one now has to double check the shops for this encroachment.
You're right. I had a chance about 10 years ago to open an Etsy shop to sell my quilts but just didn't have the time. Back then quilts were selling like hotcakes for a fair price (not $20). Now the market is saturated with manufactured quilts. I still see OG quilts selling well but, as you said, those shops have been open for many years. You need to do what works for you. Stay positive - you're doing a great job.
Your shop looks great. I don't mind shopping on Etsy when I'm seeking something specific. But I don't sell on there anymore and I really hate the forced marketing/promotion fees. That was disappointing years ago. Stick with your website!
Karen, thank you for this video! I don’t plan on selling anything, however, it gave me an insight to Etsy’s mode of business in that they don’t seem to care about their sellers unless they are high volume. I have only gone to your website, but I have an Etsy account and thought I’d look you up there. When I searched it defaulted to ‘Etsy picks’ giving me other sellers, even though I searched Crafty Quilting Designs. I finally found your site, which ‘told’ me a lot about their mode of business. It used to be handcrafted items, but I agree it is not anymore. Look forward to your videos! And for those who criticize your teaching technique, just move on! You inspire me! A happy subscriber from Boiling Springs, PA, USA.
I totally agree with you. If you don't send people to etsy, you are just about a needle in a haystack. If you have to drum up all the traffic, you may as well send people to your own website. And don't get me started on the gurus. They never share their actual etsy sites because then we would all see that they aren't getting sales either.
They say we have a free market but who can compete with the big companies that steel our work and ideas and sell them to cheap prizes for us small sellers to follow? skip etsy. Good luck! 19:10
Seems to be the concensus. Sweatshop copies and intellectual property theft seems to be the thing that works best there. I created an Etsy account but never populated it because I just dont trust them.
I have gotten these same type of messages from Etsy and they have no idea of your work or your skills. I viewed your shop, it is excellent in terms of presentation and photography. Your pricing is very reasonable. My opinion: Ignore those messages and keep on with Etsy, I have. I have not sold huge amounts but overall have done very well looking at a whole year. It is a way better way to show your work than at outdoor markets or shops who need an exorbitant % rate. I love your channel and your generosity is so refreshing.
I feel you sister. i had an Etsy shop as well. I sold leather bags. There are shops on there that sell leather bags that are not handcrafted, but are factory facimilies and are selling for 3 times less than handcrafted. Forget that the quality was nowhere near my products. In addition to that Esty continues to add all of these different fees. I started my own website and did much better with sales. Etsy also promotes there favorites.
You definitely don’t need Etsy. Your store looks amazing. Can you do a video on potholders? They are like mini quilts and good practice and make great gifts!
I’m sorry to hear about your Etsy experience. Your quilts and table runners are beautiful, trying to sell them shouldn’t be painful. You must follow your heart and your gut feelings and be true to yourself. I love your videos and valuable information.
Sometimes things just don't fit your life and only create more problems than it is worth. Everyone has to decide what works for themselves, it is best to cut the ties and simplify life. I'm sorry it has created such hard feelings. I follow a creative person ftom UK who is struggling with new changes to Etsy and she has been with them for several years and sold successfully. However their membership rules have created a hardship for her and now she is droppi g Etsy to eliminate confusion and clutter in her peace of mind. Good luck with your creative spirit.
I tried to open an Etsy shop and got an email saying they needed some information. I could not find where to upload the information. In addition, that email communication did not show on my Etsy page to confirm it was legitimate. They put my account on vacation with no way to contact them for help. I tried messaging them but got no response. So frustrated I was never able to get things set up. Etsy is super frustrating!
I'm so sorry this happened to you. Thank you so much for sharing this information. I just deleted my Etsy account. Just another step to keeping safe these days. Your beautiful hand made quilts deserve better than Etsy. Good luck! ❤
@@CraftyQuiltingDesigns No. I did not have a shop yet. I just made a few purchases on my Etsy account. I was just about to open my own shop, but this video, and especially your scam alert video, made me think twice about it. So much so that I actually deleted my Etsy account altogether.
Most of your content, I do agree with. However, after viewing your Etsy shop, what I noticed is that your sales are down because of the type of items you're selling. Your items are not trending - it's as simple as that. Success with Etsy, Shopify, or even eBay really depends on the types of items you offer. As much work as goes into quilting, it isn’t trending at this time. Many newcomers do have success on these platforms with handmade items that are trending. Your shop can have the perfect banner, 'T's crossed, and every 'i' dotted, but the type of items you sell is the most important factor that will determine what buyers are looking for. You can't blame Etsy; it's not their fault if your sales are down. Even if you had your own website shop, I believe the sales would not improve either. You need to come up with other handmade items that buyers are looking for.
@@LouRao disagree wholeheartedly- people that go there and land on her shop ARE in fact looking for quilts and quilted items. So that theory is faulty from the start. Truthfully this sounds like an automated response from Etsy dressed up like a real person’s comment. NEXT!
Your Etsy shop is beautifully set up. As good if not better than most shops I have visited there. I agree if you have a website and if you are going to have to promote and put time and effort out put it into your own site. Diversifying is great but if you have to invest that much time and effort for such little results and support, what are you really paying for?
Hi Karen I totally agree with you. I have been selling on Etsy for a year and have made 18 sales. Unlike you I don’t have a significant following on RUclips who I can direct to my Etsy store and it has been a slog. Also, as you say they allow shops on there that are not selling handmade. Many are simply importing cheap Chinese clothing and reselling it with a big markup. I even reported one shop that my daughter bought a dress from that was rubbish and clearly not handmade but Etsy did nothing about it and that shop is still selling on their platform. Also their charges are very high 😡
Yes the whole process is quite frustrating it’s just unfortunate that this is the process what’s the name of your store post it here so others can see it also
I opened an Etsy shop in 2008 and sold a couple of things and gave up because my kids were little and my daughter needed heart surgery. In 2016 I had a job I loved with a boss who made me miserable every day. I had to quit. I wanted to run my own business again and opened my Etsy shop in January 2017. I made £14 that first month. My brain kept telling me that I had left it too late. That I had wasted my previous opportunity to get in from the beginning and that I couldn’t build a business with so many established businesses on there, particularly in Jewellery which is saturated. But the evil boss experience pushed me to carry on and never work for another a***hole. 7 years later I am still running my little businesses. I have 2 shops that I work on and 1 that I found I couldn’t devote the time to. I have had over £70000 worth of sales in a saturated market. Yes, Etsy is frustrating but if you keep going it will get momentum. Get the ball rolling and keep adding to it. Consistency is key. The last thing a tree develops is the fruit.
I wish I had some good advice. I don't shop Etsy. I have never tried. Etsy is a money making business for itself. In my opinion. I have heard ppl say the gave up Etsy because the fees they took...I really have no clue ..❤
I'm so sorry Karen, people don't appreciate how much work goes into your pieces of art - they want something for nothing don't they? I think you're probably right, stick with your own channel and b Etsy. I suppose you've been down the route of craft/quilt shops, craft fairs, galleries etc. My daughter teaches restorative yoga and most people (which are few) who attend her classes say that she has a gift (she does) and they feel amazing after her classes. It's taken her a long time to get where she is which isn't very far. People are so apathetic unless you're giving it for free. It's so soul destroying. Good luck and much love 😘Xx
I stopped looking at those type instructions and do the best I can. Post and then ignore. It costs nothing to keep your things on there. At the end of the year, you may be pleasantly surprised
I have never bought from etsy I only use amazon or eBay. I find them far more reliable, also with ebay if you have a problem they deal with the seller for you. I have never sold with either of them but as a buyer I have never had problems.
If you know this about etsy why bother? I think handmade should be made to be handed down. Are you doing this for money? Then maybe that's why it doesn't work. I watched you a few times and got shut down cause i thought you were teaching quilting but i was impatient with slow pace. More time giving history of your fabric. I wish you well.
My dear we all have bills to pay and to live, so selling my quilts is ok my ME but thanks for your judgement, I am teaching quilting I am certainly confused by your message. I'm teaching how to make ...so therefore I should not sell? .. and my slow pace is for beginners we were all there once. you can always move the video along using the time stamps on the video time bar.
In this video, I share the reasons why I made the difficult decision to quit selling on Etsy. If you're considering leaving Etsy or just curious about my experience, this video is for you. Watch till the end to hear my honest thoughts on why I decided to say goodbye to Etsy. Don't forget to like and subscribe for more content on entrepreneurship and online selling!
Hi Karen, I had exactly the same experience with Etsy. After selling 3 baby quilts in 6 months plus having one fraud attack on a dummy sale trying to get my bank details, it really didn’t feel like it was worth all the effort so I closed the shop. I also tried a smaller UK based hand crafted site called Folksy but that was also very slow with sales. I have now given up selling my surplus quilts and instead donate them to Project Linus which aims to give quilty hugs to anyone in need. I love your honesty and everything you do in your channel. Thank you.
I donate almost my quilts to Project Linus they are always in need for more it's a wonderful organization
yes, it would be nice to sell the items there is nothing wrong with the idea that your items can be bought, some people feel that it's wrong to sell and yes, it's also good to give away.
Karen,
My quilter friends who need to sell to make some money are more successful selling on eBay.
You can even action on eBay according with what I was told. Start with a minimum price and see where it goes. I would definitely try eBay before donating everything. After spending so much money on fabrics, notions, utilities bills, dedicated time and more, it is just fair to expect to be paid for your products.
Success and good luck 🙏
For many years Etsy has been my go to for hand crafted items however of late the platform seems to have disregarded the handcrafted for many mass produced items that takes away from its original concept and that is disappointing as one now has to double check the shops for this encroachment.
Sorry that happened to you. I truly believe that where one door closes another one will open. Love your videos.
You're right. I had a chance about 10 years ago to open an Etsy shop to sell my quilts but just didn't have the time. Back then quilts were selling like hotcakes for a fair price (not $20). Now the market is saturated with manufactured quilts. I still see OG quilts selling well but, as you said, those shops have been open for many years. You need to do what works for you. Stay positive - you're doing a great job.
Your shop looks great. I don't mind shopping on Etsy when I'm seeking something specific. But I don't sell on there anymore and I really hate the forced marketing/promotion fees. That was disappointing years ago. Stick with your website!
Karen, thank you for this video! I don’t plan on selling anything, however, it gave me an insight to Etsy’s mode of business in that they don’t seem to care about their sellers unless they are high volume. I have only gone to your website, but I have an Etsy account and thought I’d look you up there. When I searched it defaulted to ‘Etsy picks’ giving me other sellers, even though I searched Crafty Quilting Designs. I finally found your site, which ‘told’ me a lot about their mode of business. It used to be handcrafted items, but I agree it is not anymore. Look forward to your videos! And for those who criticize your teaching technique, just move on! You inspire me! A happy subscriber from Boiling Springs, PA, USA.
Thank you for the support means a whole lot
I totally agree with you. If you don't send people to etsy, you are just about a needle in a haystack. If you have to drum up all the traffic, you may as well send people to your own website. And don't get me started on the gurus. They never share their actual etsy sites because then we would all see that they aren't getting sales either.
100 % correct
They say we have a free market but who can compete with the big companies that steel our work and ideas and sell them to cheap prizes for us small sellers to follow? skip etsy. Good luck! 19:10
Seems to be the concensus. Sweatshop copies and intellectual property theft seems to be the thing that works best there. I created an Etsy account but never populated it because I just dont trust them.
I have gotten these same type of messages from Etsy and they have no idea of your work or your skills. I viewed your shop, it is excellent in terms of presentation and photography. Your pricing is very reasonable. My opinion: Ignore those messages and keep on with Etsy, I have. I have not sold huge amounts but overall have done very well looking at a whole year. It is a way better way to show your work than at outdoor markets or shops who need an exorbitant % rate. I love your channel and your generosity is so refreshing.
I feel you sister. i had an Etsy shop as well. I sold leather bags. There are shops on there that sell leather bags that are not handcrafted, but are factory facimilies and are selling for 3 times less than handcrafted. Forget that the quality was nowhere near my products. In addition to that Esty continues to add all of these different fees. I started my own website and did much better with sales. Etsy also promotes there favorites.
Very true i have found that to be correct seeing the same store promoted over and over
You definitely don’t need Etsy. Your store looks amazing. Can you do a video on potholders? They are like mini quilts and good practice and make great gifts!
Great idea!! here is one ruclips.net/video/9YLRWok0u_w/видео.html
I’m sorry to hear about your Etsy experience. Your quilts and table runners are beautiful, trying to sell them shouldn’t be painful. You must follow your heart and your gut feelings and be true to yourself. I love your videos and valuable information.
Thank you so much!
Would love to hear where you ARE having success!
when selling ?youtube
You need to do what you feel is right for you. You said it well when you stated this platform is not for me.
Sometimes things just don't fit your life and only create more problems than it is worth. Everyone has to decide what works for themselves, it is best to cut the ties and simplify life. I'm sorry it has created such hard feelings. I follow a creative person ftom UK who is struggling with new changes to Etsy and she has been with them for several years and sold successfully. However their membership rules have created a hardship for her and now she is droppi g Etsy to eliminate confusion and clutter in her peace of mind. Good luck with your creative spirit.
I tried to open an Etsy shop and got an email saying they needed some information. I could not find where to upload the information. In addition, that email communication did not show on my Etsy page to confirm it was legitimate. They put my account on vacation with no way to contact them for help. I tried messaging them but got no response. So frustrated I was never able to get things set up. Etsy is super frustrating!
I would worth if I was you to be honest
I hear you Karen, alot of work for little or no profit
I love your back wall 😊
I agree. But make sure to report the mass produced items to Etsy so they can be removed. There is a place at the bottom of the listings to do this.
Will do
I'm so sorry this happened to you. Thank you so much for sharing this information. I just deleted my Etsy account. Just another step to keeping safe these days. Your beautiful hand made quilts deserve better than Etsy. Good luck! ❤
Did you have much sales
@@CraftyQuiltingDesigns No. I did not have a shop yet. I just made a few purchases on my Etsy account. I was just about to open my own shop, but this video, and especially your scam alert video, made me think twice about it. So much so that I actually deleted my Etsy account altogether.
BTW...Bonnie Hunter left Etsy as well. She had issues as well. I can't remember her reasons, but it's on her blog.
will check it out
Most of your content, I do agree with. However, after viewing your Etsy shop, what I noticed is that your sales are down because of the type of items you're selling. Your items are not trending - it's as simple as that. Success with Etsy, Shopify, or even eBay really depends on the types of items you offer. As much work as goes into quilting, it isn’t trending at this time. Many newcomers do have success on these platforms with handmade items that are trending. Your shop can have the perfect banner, 'T's crossed, and every 'i' dotted, but the type of items you sell is the most important factor that will determine what buyers are looking for. You can't blame Etsy; it's not their fault if your sales are down. Even if you had your own website shop, I believe the sales would not improve either. You need to come up with other handmade items that buyers are looking for.
thanks for your feedback
@@LouRao disagree wholeheartedly- people that go there and land on her shop ARE in fact looking for quilts and quilted items. So that theory is faulty from the start. Truthfully this sounds like an automated response from Etsy dressed up like a real person’s comment. NEXT!
Most people I know try it and then leave. My granddaughter use to sell her soaps there but finally quit for some of the same reasons you did.
Your Etsy shop is beautifully set up. As good if not better than most shops I have visited there. I agree if you have a website and if you are going to have to promote and put time and effort out put it into your own site. Diversifying is great but if you have to invest that much time and effort for such little results and support, what are you really paying for?
Hi Karen
I totally agree with you. I have been selling on Etsy for a year and have made 18 sales. Unlike you I don’t have a significant following on RUclips who I can direct to my Etsy store and it has been a slog. Also, as you say they allow shops on there that are not selling handmade. Many are simply importing cheap Chinese clothing and reselling it with a big markup. I even reported one shop that my daughter bought a dress from that was rubbish and clearly not handmade but Etsy did nothing about it and that shop is still selling on their platform. Also their charges are very high 😡
Yes the whole process is quite frustrating it’s just unfortunate that this is the process what’s the name of your store post it here so others can see it also
I opened an Etsy shop in 2008 and sold a couple of things and gave up because my kids were little and my daughter needed heart surgery. In 2016 I had a job I loved with a boss who made me miserable every day. I had to quit. I wanted to run my own business again and opened my Etsy shop in January 2017. I made £14 that first month. My brain kept telling me that I had left it too late. That I had wasted my previous opportunity to get in from the beginning and that I couldn’t build a business with so many established businesses on there, particularly in Jewellery which is saturated. But the evil boss experience pushed me to carry on and never work for another a***hole. 7 years later I am still running my little businesses. I have 2 shops that I work on and 1 that I found I couldn’t devote the time to. I have had over £70000 worth of sales in a saturated market.
Yes, Etsy is frustrating but if you keep going it will get momentum. Get the ball rolling and keep adding to it. Consistency is key. The last thing a tree develops is the fruit.
Thank you I love love your story I will certainly take a your advise and push on thanks for the encouraging words of wisdom
I wish I had some good advice. I don't shop Etsy. I have never tried. Etsy is a money making business for itself. In my opinion. I have heard ppl say the gave up Etsy because the fees they took...I really have no clue ..❤
Thanks for your comment it means a lot that even if you don’t know you care enough to comment thank you
Hello from the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation USA😁
Hiya
Etsy need to support the sellers, not make them jump through hoops.
I'm so sorry Karen, people don't appreciate how much work goes into your pieces of art - they want something for nothing don't they? I think you're probably right, stick with your own channel and b Etsy. I suppose you've been down the route of craft/quilt shops, craft fairs, galleries etc.
My daughter teaches restorative yoga and most people (which are few) who attend her classes say that she has a gift (she does) and they feel amazing after her classes. It's taken her a long time to get where she is which isn't very far. People are so apathetic unless you're giving it for free. It's so soul destroying.
Good luck and much love 😘Xx
thank you and you are very correct
Thought you quit a while back? Always enjoy watching you.
yes tried to press on
I agree don’t like ,just buy things
I stopped looking at those type instructions and do the best I can. Post and then ignore. It costs nothing to keep your things on there. At the end of the year, you may be pleasantly surprised
Good advice thank you.
People will pay more for items that are genuinely handmade. You will get more money on Etsy but it won't be quick.
Yes I’m learning it takes time with Etsy
What other options are out there?
I have not a clue
I have never bought from etsy I only use amazon or eBay. I find them far more reliable, also with ebay if you have a problem they deal with the seller for you. I have never sold with either of them but as a buyer I have never had problems.
Sorry about your bad experience with Etsy. I have never shopped there before. Thanks for sharing.
💯
No sound
YES THERE IS YOU WERE probably the very first to click as it loaded try again
Okay thank you
If you know this about etsy why bother? I think handmade should be made to be handed down. Are you doing this for money? Then maybe that's why it doesn't work. I watched you a few times and got shut down cause i thought you were teaching quilting but i was impatient with slow pace. More time giving history of your fabric. I wish you well.
My dear we all have bills to pay and to live, so selling my quilts is ok my ME but thanks for your judgement, I am teaching quilting I am certainly confused by your message. I'm teaching how to make ...so therefore I should not sell? .. and my slow pace is for beginners we were all there once. you can always move the video along using the time stamps on the video time bar.