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Friday, February 6, 2009

A few Etsy Questions.

I have a few questions...PLEASE HELP!

I've had a couple of Etsy sales lately where the person hasn't paid and after several attempts at communicating with them, they have not responded.  So I've had to re-list the item and of course pay the fee again (which is small but it adds up).  So question is...DO I GIVE NEGATIVE FEEDBACK?  I feel like I should, but I'm trying to be nice and give the benefit of the doubt.  I've never left bad feedback, but I guess it's there for a reason.  Both of the sales are people new to Etsy; one had other sales with good feedback at the same time, so it leads me to believe they are blowing me off, which just isn't right.  The other had one 'neutral' feedback.  

Any thoughts especially from my fellow Etsy peeps?

Also, I've been thinking of opening shop in another venue in addition to Etsy.  I actually had quite a few sales in January...Woo Hoo!  But I got my bill and it's over $30.  Now, don't get me wrong...I'm lovin' the sales and I really like the Etsy community.  I've just heard some good things lately about other venues, like LollishopsArtfire & Silkfair.

I'd like to hear what you all have to say.  If anyone has a shop within one of these communities or have heard good or bad...I'd love to know.  Thanks for any tips, I really appreciate it!

Oh and don't forget about my VALENTINE'S DAY SALE, I'll love you forever if you take a peek, hehe.

TGIF :-)

Jaime

14 comments:

Ruth Ann said...

I think I would e-mail them one more time and tell them that you're going to give them negative feedback if they don't respond. This way you can feel that you did all that you can to contact them. I've never given negative feedback but it would probably bother me having to do that to someone. This way you would be able to feel like you gave them every opportunity possible and there's no other choice.
Love your shop!

Anonymous said...

Hey Girl,
About the non payment...if they are not responding, you have no other choice but to leave neutral or negative feedback. This has happened to me (on more than one occasion) but fortunately they responded and told me their reason for not being able to pay. In this instance I canceled the sale and left them NO feedback. When you cancel a sale, Etsy reimburses you your listing fees and the 3% that they take. Hope that helps!
About opening another shop elsewhere...I don't know much about other venues...but I do know that Etsy is WELL worth it (for me, anyway!) My bill is alot higher than yours, but I still make enough of a profit. I am soooo thankful for Etsy! I just look at it like, if I had to have some company create a website for me, and then whatever $ I'd spend on advertisement, it would be much higher than what I pay now.
Hope everything works out well for you!:) And we'll go shopping wherever you are!:):)

Anonymous said...

Hey girl! I have a lollishop & well.... I have had it since November & no sales!!! You pay a fee before you list & I guess it is cheaper, but I purchased a 415 package & can list I think 12 items??? Nothing! after 6 months it expires & no money back!! Just do some research:)

Anonymous said...

If you have tried emailing/contacting and they haven't responded, well that's not cool. If it was an honest mistake, they can always tell you. So, hells, YEAH, leave negative feedback.
I am also listed with Shop Handmade, but haven't had any sales there yet. Then again, I don't promote myself like I should. That said, they are free, so it can't hurt to check them out.
I've also heard good things about 1000 markets and winkelf.
Good luck!

Lesley said...

I guess i"m the not nice person...I would be giving some negative feedback...especially after you've repeatedly tried to contact...it's not fair to you...and you are out some money..be it nominal or not...I say it's about the principle...Good luck...and I say it's always good to broaden your horizons....

Jennifer said...

This is a big issue on Etsy...many people don't realize they have purchased something and don't go to etsy every 5 seconds like us sellers do.

When it happened to me, I just canceled the sale. It was a bummer but just part of the world of etsy...

Anonymous said...

Sorry to hear about your issues with buyers on Etsy. I'd probably give them the benefit of the doubt, too, unless they had lack of communication before. In this case, I'd go for negative.

As for new venues, I have an account on Silkfair and bought several items from several buyers. All I can say is I love the platform. (I especially like the one step checkout). And they have great support. Admins are constantly available in forums or in mail.

I know they're free to set up and list for sellers. And they have the etsy import thingie that everybody speaks about.

Out of the ones you suggested, I'd definitely go for Silkfair.

Goldgoggles said...

First, I have to say, I love your products and your creativity. I just found you on twitter and visited your blog here. So kudos.

I would say that it might be beneficial for you to try another selling site. There is no reason to "settle" or to be unhappy. I am on Silkfair, as a buyer only, and I love it! My seller friends also swear by it. If you would like for me to connect you to a few of them, just for input only I would be glad to do it. Also, it is free to list, so you wouldn't be out any up front cost to create a store and test the waters.

There is such community enrichment there, not only from other buyers/sellers but from Silkfair itself. They seem to be a very responsive and caring group, concerned about the people, not just the products, and helping them succeed.

Best of luck in your search. Look for me on twitter @goldgoggles.

I am off to peruse your store again. You are very talented. Your use of colors and your style just make me giggle.

PS - Your daughters are just gorgeous.

Melanie @ Whimsical Creations said...

Hi! I would talk to etsy about the non-payment. They will give you back that small fee. The only thing is you will not be able to leave negative feedback.

Georgia Girl said...

Hey...negative comment if I was you...it still cost you some money and so I would put a negative response.

Now the email...if you have sent multiple emails then yes do a negative...but sometimes I myself don't check my emails everyday...I also don't get on etsy everyday. I did get one from you a few days ago I see but I only saw it yesterday and to be honest really did not get a chance to reply yet. But if someone had already said they were buying something and didn't let you know then you have every right to be upset.

I so love your stuff so if you move any you betta let me know where...I just saw someone on that Artfire but have not been there yet...I thought if you buy on etsy right then you are suppose to pay for it then ....well that is what I do. Does not make sense for someone to click on buying your product to go and not get it right then....

And those pot holders...oh yeah I told you to let your daughter know I want some and you bet your sweet self no way I would do a child wrong...now that is sicking if anyone does that...but they do...so tell her I want some seasonal colors for holidays...like red/white Valentines/ green /white for St Pattys Day and so on..you know the color theme for holidays...I did blog about her last week so go look for it...so let me know when she has some...I always check my blog everyday so I would see a comment there quicker....
Email also...

Sorry for talking so long.

Anonymous said...

Hey there! I actually really like ARTFIRE. I haven't made any sales, but the admin's are really nice and its free to list and EASY! :) Good luck!

{leah} said...

That's really crappy that they are not responding to your emails.

Your stuff is really cute!! and you are really creative. I just set up a shop in Etsy {kinda} I'm hopeing to get stuff on there soon.

pan x 8 said...

Thanks for the welcome! I can't wait to get to know what all of this is about?

ETsy?? not there yet! ;p

Sara said...

ooooh- i don't know. Cause I am always afraid of bad feedback from the person I listed bad feedback about. That will screw up your whole rating. Maybe neutral?? Just so people know. I am signed up on lollishops, although, I haven't used it yet. LOL