I am a picky Etsy Shopper
By AmberLynn
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104615)
United States
April 3, 2016 7:56pm CST
When it comes to etsy, a shop really has to stand out for me to buy from them.
Color schemes, a good category system, enough information about the product, and a good introductory page for the shop itself. I want to feel as if the seller is vested in their product and vested in keeping their customers happy.
Sometimes, however, you can not be too picky on etsy. There are times when the product you want is only sold by one or two sellers, and you have to pick between the lesser of the two evils.
I only had a few choices to choose from recently, on a product that I want to try for an ailment I have. There was one product that I really liked, the shop was nice just how I liked it, and the owner seemed very vested in her work. However, it was a bit too expensive and I wanted to see if there was a cheaper option.
I happened across a cheaper option but the seller's page wasn't very... active. They've had a few sells, and all with positive reviews, but the page didn't "Stand out" to me and they didn't seem to spend a lot of time in making their shop look inviting.
I was a bit weary but decided to try anyway. They hadn't had a sell in a few months and that did worry me. I like to get things from sellers that are active and have sold things recently. I realize that sometimes really great shops are out there but with very few sales...
I was hoping, and still am hoping, that the shop I recently bought from is the same.
However, I got a standard / automated email from the seller that said "Thanks for supporting small business." It was very flat and uninviting. I felt as if it was something they put in at the beginning when they were setting up the shop. It didn't tell me anything about how long it might taken them (thought it did say how long the processing time was on their "about" page) and was just unfriendly and robotic almost.
I know, I know, that shouldn't matter but it does to me. Now, I've been waiting five days. The processing time says 1-4 days. Now this is just processing, not shipping obviously. However I have not received a "has been shipped" email yet. It hasn't updated that it's shipped on my recent products bought page either.
Obviously I know that life can get in the way, that sometimes it takes a little longer than usual to get things set up and ready. However, It makes me nervous to have no sort of notice from the seller at all.
I'm waiting though, and somewhat patiently. I won't contact them until Wednesday I think. That will be three days before I can review the product itself. If I've not received confirmation that it's shipped by then I will be looking into it.
As an etsy shopper (or any independently owned online shop place) do you have particulars that put you on or against a shop?
As an etsy seller (or any independently owned shop, either online or off) , do you try to make the customers / potential customers feel welcomed / positive about their browsing experience?
10 people like this
10 responses
@puddleglum (1380)
• United States
4 Apr 16
I'm pleased to read your post because I have some friends who are thinking of starting an Etsy shop. I think they'd be glad to know what type of customer service/engagement Etsy customers expect. If I shopped there, I think I would look for the same things. In particular, I would want to see evidence of warmth and personality from the sellers and I would want them to keep me updated on the process.
1 person likes this
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104615)
• United States
4 Apr 16
My mother was a crafty person and sold dolls she would build (the plastic piece together kind) and make dresses for. Etsy wasn't around when she was doing this kind of stuff, but going to flea markets etc gave me an appreciation for handmade items and the people that craft them.
I couldn't tell you anything really about the selling aspect but @Kevin1877uk sells things on etsy and might be able to give you a better idea of what to expect as a seller so that you can pass that info onto your friends.
1 person likes this
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104615)
• United States
4 Apr 16
@puddleglum Well I suppose built isn't quite the right word, all she did was piece them together but they could be a pain at times. What kind of things would your friends be selling do you know? there is a wide array of products on etsy, wood work, metal work, leather work even.
2 people like this
@puddleglum (1380)
• United States
4 Apr 16
@ScribbledAdNauseum Thanks for sharing that. That's interesting that your mom built the dolls and made dresses.
1 person likes this

@kevin1877uk (36987)
•
4 Apr 16
Very interesting of what you have written.
Etsy is a wonderful place to sell. I know my store needs work doing on it like colour schemes, a good point. I think when you first open a store you don't always know what to do and how to things. Making you store looking good to the would-be buyer. I believe you are always working on your store to try and make it better.
Myself I do ship fast normally the same day in the post office is open when I receive the order and have good reviews regarding how fast I do ship. Sorry to you are having to wait.
If I have an order and they have sent me a message regarding the order or they have an inquiry about sometimes in my store again I'm quick to reply. I have the Etsy app on my which enables me to quick respond. The only time I don't reply fast is when I'm asleep.
I'm still learning with Esty but I feel you need to look after your customers and try and do you best for them. A happy customer will turn and that's something we all hope happens.
1 person likes this

@kevin1877uk (36987)
•
5 Apr 16
@ScribbledAdNauseum From tomorrow, 5th all store will have a new look. In the new look, there are more things that you can to to make your store looking better.
I hope you get your item soon.
1 person likes this
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104615)
• United States
5 Apr 16
The seller I refer to here has had the shop for a little while yet. I do realize that sometimes the designing of the actual store front can cost money if not time. Presentation is really important, but I can overlook that if the seller communicates as promptly as possible.
I guess time will have to tell about this seller, and I do hope I won't have to send in for further inquiry like another shopper responded about here. I don't want to have to give a shop a negative rating, nor go through the process of getting my money returned to me.
However, I do opt to pay through paypal for that very reason.
1 person likes this

@kaka135 (14994)
• Malaysia
4 Apr 16
I have not buy anything from etsy before, but I always came across some etsy shops when I searched for craft patterns or ideas. I am not sure, but perhaps the shop owners are too busy with their life, and selling handmade crafts might just be a small business for them, hence they just can't respond to the customers so soon. I know many homeschooling moms have set up their etsy shops to sell something related to handmade crafts or homeschooling resources, I always wonder how they could find time to do so.
I understand it can be quite annoying when the "customer service" is poor. I'd prefer it to respond to me as soon as possible, but when it comes to small business or home business like this, maybe I will just have to be more patient.

@kaka135 (14994)
• Malaysia
11 Apr 16
@ScribbledAdNauseum Have you got your reply from the shop owner yet? No matter how busy she or he is, I hope the owner will still take care of the shop and the customers, and someone might be waiting on the other end. Hope you've got your reply or will get it soon.
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104615)
• United States
5 Apr 16
I can understand what you mean. There has been no correspondence between myself and the shop owner. It's just that the automated message that the sellers set up wasn't as warm as I would have liked it. I do understand that people live busy lives and sometimes juggling children's schooling and taking care of the home.
1 person likes this

@celticeagle (189833)
• Boise, Idaho
4 Apr 16
I haven't shopped this site although I have looked it over. I don't buy many extras. I think what you have written here is a good thing for newcomers to the site should read.

@celticeagle (189833)
• Boise, Idaho
5 Apr 16
@ScribbledAdNauseum ....I think presentation is important also. Word of mouth is too It is tough to sell independently. But these are important fascets to doing so.
1 person likes this
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104615)
• United States
4 Apr 16
I mean, everyone is going to have their own ways of thinking when it comes to "trustworthy" sellers. However, in my opinion, a independent seller should do something more to entice the customer and make them feel welcomed.
My mom sold things she made at flea markets. Presentation is very much key to success in selling handmade items.
1 person likes this

@ScribbledAdNauseum (104615)
• United States
4 Apr 16
I'm sorry to hear that. I know it's available in some countries but aren't aware of which ones it is available in. It should be available to more countries, even if they can only buy items from their own country, as there are artisans around the world.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (502489)
• Italy
5 Apr 16
@ScribbledAdNauseum I believe that the problem is that Switzerland is a very small country with less than 8 million people living here. It's a problem sending the products to other countries due to the custom duties.
@Telynor (1763)
• United States
4 Apr 16
I have bought exactly one thing from Etsy -- a pair of earrings shaped like teacup and saucers.
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104615)
• United States
4 Apr 16
Not that sounds like a really cute pair of earrings. How much did you end up paying for them?
1 person likes this
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104615)
• United States
4 Apr 16
@Telynor FIfeteen Dollars is not bad at all for a handmade pair of earrings. What a cute little design as well!
Oh and I do love tea, but unfortunately, my pierced ears have nearly closed up since I've not worn earrings in several years.
1 person likes this
@Telynor (1763)
• United States
4 Apr 16
@ScribbledAdNauseum I think all of fifteen dollars or so, they didn't cost very much, and given my love of tea, they were perfect.

@ScribbledAdNauseum (104615)
• United States
4 Apr 16
There is so much to choose from. Leathersmiths (am I using the right terminology here?), wood workers. I've seen a lot of neat things on there but I tend to browse more of the body care type stuff myself.
1 person likes this
@Marilynda1225 (91109)
• United States
4 Apr 16
I tend to go with a shop that has good reviews and looks inviting because going with a cheap shop doesn't always wind up cheap. I learned my lesson the hard way and had to fight hard to get my money back when I didn't receive my order.
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104615)
• United States
4 Apr 16
Yikes! This isn't helping me stay positive!
I know what you mean though. I am hoping that I do get the product but time will tell, and if I don't? Then lesson learned.
I know what you mean though. I am hoping that I do get the product but time will tell, and if I don't? Then lesson learned.@ScribbledAdNauseum (104615)
• United States
4 Apr 16
It has been a few years now but I've read that etsy can sometimes be a pain to work with as a seller. I dont' remember all that I Read on the subject though. Kevin from the UK here can tell you a bit more on what to expect as he sells on etsy all the time. There's also a scottsfreemarket or something like that that I've heard of but it doesn't seem to be as popular and seems a bit questionable in my opinion.
I have only recently took to shopping with etsy. I used to browse but never purchase. I started really purchasing last year around Christmas and intend to continue purchasing from them as I have found that a lot of the products offered there last longer (as in very little goes a long way) in comparison to major store brands.
1 person likes this
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104615)
• United States
4 Apr 16
Is Etsy available for you in Luxembourg? I only know of a few countries it's available for. It would be a shame if it wasn't as it's a really nice marketplace.












