topic Re: is etsy a scam or have I just not kept up? in Community Chat

is etsy a scam or have I just not kept up?

esmerelda — Mon, 17 Sep 2018 20:06:57 GMT

I've always thought etsy was for the sale of handcrafted items only. Has that changed? And when? What are the rules now?

I bought an item there recently; and when it arrived, I was very impressed. Very professionally made and packaged. I looked for the care instructions and found the dreaded "Made in China" tag. Really??

I feel misled!

Re: is etsy a scam or have I just not kept up?

Snowpuppy — Mon, 17 Sep 2018 20:14:52 GMT

Hand made/hand crafted with parts from China.

Best to ask sources in advance of purchasing.

Re: is etsy a scam or have I just not kept up?

ValuSkr — Mon, 17 Sep 2018 20:16:22 GMT

I think some Etsy stores are just re-selling things they found elsewhere, like antiques. I suppose some of the stuff could be made in China. Nevertheless, much of Etsy is quality hand-crafted items; that's what the site was designed for.

Re: is etsy a scam or have I just not kept up?

Q4u — Mon, 17 Sep 2018 20:16:35 GMT

As far as i can remember Etsy specialized in handcrafted items and unusual manufacured items. I've sold on eBay since 03 and wanted to also sell on Etsy later on. That stopped me because my items are antique (neither handcrafted, vintage nor an unusual manufactured item)....

A desccription from Google:

Etsy

Company

etsy.com

Etsy is an e-commerce website focused on handmade or vintage items and supplies, as well as unique factory-manufactured items. These items cover a wide range, including art, photography, clothing, jewelry, food, bath and beauty products, quilts, knick-knacks, and toys. Wikipedia

Re: is etsy a scam or have I just not kept up?

wishmoon — Mon, 17 Sep 2018 20:30:26 GMT

I love Etsy and have purchased many handmade items there and been very pleased. Perhaps you'd be happier shopping at a b&m store so you can inspect items more carefully before buying.

Re: is etsy a scam or have I just not kept up?

jackthebear — Mon, 17 Sep 2018 20:40:30 GMT

scam is when you order something and get nothing

if not happy see if you can return it

Re: is etsy a scam or have I just not kept up?

jackthebear — Mon, 17 Sep 2018 20:41:23 GMT

eta

I make a point to read fine print of all these sites before ordering anything

Re: is etsy a scam or have I just not kept up?

LTT1 — Mon, 17 Sep 2018 20:56:20 GMT

@esmerelda

Was the item description stating that the item you purchased was “hand-crafted?”

I would check this. As you probably know already, the item you buy must match the item description of you can return it or dispute the sale with your credit card company.

Items I have purchased have been both handcrafted and manufactured.

Re: is etsy a scam or have I just not kept up?

speedy girl — Mon, 17 Sep 2018 21:01:41 GMT

Before buying you can always send the seller a quick email and ask questions. I have found that they always respond to me the same day or shortly after. They always seem happy and willing to answer any question, I have ever asked.

Re: is etsy a scam or have I just not kept up?

Beauty Maven — Mon, 17 Sep 2018 21:02:43 GMT

I collect vintage, depression-era glass and I've found many items listed on Etsy. I've successfully purchased and received quite a bit of merchandise from Etsy stores. They don't just sell hand-made items. You can search for used items just like you can on eBay. I like Etsy. I did purchase a hand-made wood stable for my Willow Tree nativity, and it's beautiful!

Re: is etsy a scam or have I just not kept up?

deeva — Mon, 17 Sep 2018 21:59:38 GMT

Etsy changed its business model in 2013 to allow manufacturers to sell on the site. I miss the old Etsy when everything was handmade by individual crafters and artists.

Re: is etsy a scam or have I just not kept up?

Alison Wonderland — Mon, 17 Sep 2018 23:38:57 GMT

@LTT1 wrote:
@esmerelda

Was the item description stating that the item you purchased was “hand-crafted?”

I would check this. As you probably know already, the item you buy must match the item description of you can return it or dispute the sale with your credit card company.

Items I have purchased have been both handcrafted and manufactured.

Yes to all of this, @LTT1! Etsy sells a variety of items and not all of them are handmade. If the item description says it was handcrafted and was not, you can file a claim. If it did not and you assumed it was without checking, that's unfortunately on you.

Re: is etsy a scam or have I just not kept up?

Its Me LuLuBelle2 — Tue, 18 Sep 2018 00:31:24 GMT

@Beauty Maven wrote:
I collect vintage, depression-era glass and I've found many items listed on Etsy. I've successfully purchased and received quite a bit of merchandise from Etsy stores. They don't just sell hand-made items. You can search for used items just like you can on eBay. I like Etsy. I did purchase a hand-made wood stable for my Willow Tree nativity, and it's beautiful!

@Beauty Maven, so nice to meet a fellow depression glass collector! I too collect it with my primary focus on pitchers - especially the lemonade/ice tea ones with lids (which are getting harder and harder to find). I've done very well at Etsy over the years finding them and have written to sellers to negotiate price. I own tons of depression glass and also love grille plates - both pink and green, round and square. A very fun way to set a table!

I also have bought plenty of handmade jewelry - all well done, all at great prices. My newest thing is hair sticks. I wear my hair almost daily in a bun and have bought some beautiful vintage sticks, wood sticks, and recently 6 acrylic sticks. Again, all beautiful.

I've shopped with Etsy for years and not once have I been disappointed. Nope, definitely not a scam.

Re: is etsy a scam or have I just not kept up?

ccassaday — Tue, 18 Sep 2018 01:29:16 GMT

There are a lot of sellers buying cheap china stuff and reselling if for a profit. I thought I heard they were trying to crack down on in.

Re: is etsy a scam or have I just not kept up?

AuntMame — Tue, 18 Sep 2018 04:02:19 GMT

@deeva wrote:
Etsy changed its business model in 2013 to allow manufacturers to sell on the site. I miss the old Etsy when everything was handmade by individual crafters and artists.

This. There was a brouhaha over it. Etsy now allows sellers to sell items that were manufactured by third parties, overseas, etc. There was a campaign among angered artists and craftspeople to leave Etsy over the change in policy, and some did. But the new policy remains in effect.

Re: is etsy a scam or have I just not kept up?

haddon9 — Tue, 18 Sep 2018 05:01:34 GMT

There are close to 2 million shops on Etsy. Each is run by different individuals for the most part. Just like in the general population there will be honest and not so honest people who don’t follow the rules. It’s hard for Etsy to police everyone and resellers have been a big problem. This is not new but has been an ongoing problem from the beginning.

The basic rules haven’t changed. You can sell handcrafted, vintage or supplies(for creating). Which means a seller can buy a supply, embellish it by hand and now it is acceptable to sell on Etsy.

I’ve had an Etsy shop for over 10 years an sell 100% handcrafted items in my shop.

If you’re not happy see about returning the item and getting a refund. You can also get in touch with your payment processor ( how did you pay?) and let them know that the item is not “as described”.

Re: is etsy a scam or have I just not kept up?

Nataliesgramma — Tue, 18 Sep 2018 09:11:46 GMT

I have purchsed quite a few things from Etsy and have always been pleased

Re: is etsy a scam or have I just not kept up?

AngelPuppy1 — Tue, 18 Sep 2018 09:30:52 GMT

I have not ordered in a while but the things I did order appeared to be hand crafted, were very nice and the service was excellent. I had not heard that they were selling items that were made in China or mass marketed or whatever. If so, that is a shame. I guess, a person has to be so careful on every site you go to these days.

Re: is etsy a scam or have I just not kept up?

151949 — Tue, 18 Sep 2018 13:37:55 GMT

Last year I bought some really beautiful hand painted Christmas pillows from Etsy, and this year I got a fall leaves pillow that looks amazing on my dark brown sofa and a bunch of Christmas ribbons. I do a lot with ribbons at Christmas time so I appreciate them.

Re: is etsy a scam or have I just not kept up?

NYC Susan — Wed, 19 Sep 2018 02:10:12 GMT

@Alison Wonderland wrote:
@LTT1 wrote:
@esmerelda

Was the item description stating that the item you purchased was “hand-crafted?”

I would check this. As you probably know already, the item you buy must match the item description of you can return it or dispute the sale with your credit card company.

Items I have purchased have been both handcrafted and manufactured.
Yes to all of this, @LTT1! Etsy sells a variety of items and not all of them are handmade. If the item description says it was handcrafted and was not, you can file a claim. If it did not and you assumed it was without checking, that's unfortunately on you.

I agree.

I don't see any kind of scam here unless the description of the item was incorrect. And even if so, that doesn't mean all of Etsy is a scam. In my experience, it's actually very reputable. I know many people who both buy and sell there.

If there is a legitimate issue, that's a problem with the particular seller, certainly not Etsy overall.