This is a somewhat cleaned-up version of a comment I posted on PussDaddy's blog, discussing the recent negative billing scam at ArtFire, and my subsequent departure from that site..
For those of my readers who are still ArtFire buyers or sellers, it is extremely important to keep yourself informed through the Fora there..otherwise you get these nasty little surprises dropped on you, complete with raging AF hags who swear at you and insult you for having an opinion..all anonymous,of course, so their is no payback for them.
Consequently I am now back at Etsy under the name hatwitch...although my banner still says mizdarlin, my shop url is hatwitch.etsy.com. or something.
Information passed on to those who need it...
..I was choked to learn about this little ArtFire scheme in ETSY Forums, that's right, knew nothing until there was a discussion posted in Etsy about it, which I recently rejoined..
Went over to the AF fora, was ignored, so decided not worth $6 a month for NO SALES..as bad as it got on the big E, it was nevah that bad..funny, too, 'cuz that was the first time I went to the Etsy Forums since I rejoined..talk about pertinent info...what angered the most was the fact that it was gonna be a negatively applied charge..that is, if you were a so-called Pro at a fixed rate and didn't want to pay for the add-on cash grab (for that is what it is) there would be a message appearing to buyers telling them that they had to trust you to do the right thing, that you weren't part of the Ass-surance program..what kind of happy horseshit is that?
Did Tony in his infinite wisdom think that the implied threat would motivate his sellers to pay "protection" money in the form of this surcharge..Think Again!
So, now an AF refugee, and have to say, a happy one..I can 'not sell' anything on Etsy for alot less money than on AF...and it definitely has more viewers.
Showing posts with label new sellers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label new sellers. Show all posts
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
The Vagaries of Online Selling..
I know that many of my readers sell/and/or buy online and I wish they would talk more about it, but they don't..
In shopping sites like ComeandGetsy or Artfire, there is much deliberation in the Forums, by sellers, about specific problems or experiences, but very little that isn't emotionally-based about what I consider the most important question..is there any point in continuing?
Many fellow Makers that I speak to at my Farmer's Market are astounded that I even bother to try and sell online- they all have the same things to say..that they either tried but got nowhere, that there is no reason to bother because there are too many people trying to do the same thing online, the stuff they make won't "sell" online (I know that one well) or they find it too daunting to even make an attempt, as they don't feel computer-savvy enough to give it a try...
I used to argue with them, and tell them how much easier it was than they suspected (not being terribly tech-savvy myself, I was a noob authority) or point out, as so many in the Forums do, that they have to be patient and not expect instant gratification..that semi-terminal affliction that many of us suffer with...
We are all programmed for this..too much TV overstimulation as children, is my theory..since when did the delicious experience of waiting for a good thing to come to pass become so toxic?
I still love anticipation as much as the next dreamer, but find that I am getting impatient for sales online-I admit it..
After trying to be patient for a couple of years, I am realizing that economic recovery isn't the only reason for many of us selling little, if at all, online..
An odd thing happened earlier this month..I finally made an online sale..the first since last March..but the problem was, even with the Paypal receipt verifying payment, couldn't figure out what sold..or where!
When the e-mail from the site arrived, I was doubly astounded to realize that the sale was from a site I'd completely forgotten that I'd set up shop in..and had ignored ever since I did so-many, many months before..so many in fact, I had to go there and try and remember doing any of it.
It was of course, one of those free for a limited number of items, and pay as you go..
I recently re-signed up with Artfire, because of their $6 a month 'deal'..permanent, no fees for sales etc...I had been away from that site seemingly forever, but since nothing at all was happening with Etsy, despite 'buying' spots in sections and relisting to death, the
Artfire deal seemed a whole bunch more rational..
Recently Etsy castigated me by e-mail for calling some other posters "cupcakes"..didn't realize that the Tea Party had taken over, but remembering that Etsy has completely lost track of it's original intent, and seems to be turning into eBay by the day, I am not surprised..just done..
After the holidays, or when my listings expire, whichever comes first (no point in shutting down while my money is already spent and not recovered) I'm leaving ComeandGetsy for good as a seller..and I'm not the Lone
Ranger..
By the way, 2 weeks after I re-upped with ArtFire, I made a sale there..
go figure...
In shopping sites like ComeandGetsy or Artfire, there is much deliberation in the Forums, by sellers, about specific problems or experiences, but very little that isn't emotionally-based about what I consider the most important question..is there any point in continuing?
Many fellow Makers that I speak to at my Farmer's Market are astounded that I even bother to try and sell online- they all have the same things to say..that they either tried but got nowhere, that there is no reason to bother because there are too many people trying to do the same thing online, the stuff they make won't "sell" online (I know that one well) or they find it too daunting to even make an attempt, as they don't feel computer-savvy enough to give it a try...
I used to argue with them, and tell them how much easier it was than they suspected (not being terribly tech-savvy myself, I was a noob authority) or point out, as so many in the Forums do, that they have to be patient and not expect instant gratification..that semi-terminal affliction that many of us suffer with...
We are all programmed for this..too much TV overstimulation as children, is my theory..since when did the delicious experience of waiting for a good thing to come to pass become so toxic?
I still love anticipation as much as the next dreamer, but find that I am getting impatient for sales online-I admit it..
After trying to be patient for a couple of years, I am realizing that economic recovery isn't the only reason for many of us selling little, if at all, online..
An odd thing happened earlier this month..I finally made an online sale..the first since last March..but the problem was, even with the Paypal receipt verifying payment, couldn't figure out what sold..or where!
When the e-mail from the site arrived, I was doubly astounded to realize that the sale was from a site I'd completely forgotten that I'd set up shop in..and had ignored ever since I did so-many, many months before..so many in fact, I had to go there and try and remember doing any of it.
It was of course, one of those free for a limited number of items, and pay as you go..
I recently re-signed up with Artfire, because of their $6 a month 'deal'..permanent, no fees for sales etc...I had been away from that site seemingly forever, but since nothing at all was happening with Etsy, despite 'buying' spots in sections and relisting to death, the
Artfire deal seemed a whole bunch more rational..
Recently Etsy castigated me by e-mail for calling some other posters "cupcakes"..didn't realize that the Tea Party had taken over, but remembering that Etsy has completely lost track of it's original intent, and seems to be turning into eBay by the day, I am not surprised..just done..
After the holidays, or when my listings expire, whichever comes first (no point in shutting down while my money is already spent and not recovered) I'm leaving ComeandGetsy for good as a seller..and I'm not the Lone
Ranger..
By the way, 2 weeks after I re-upped with ArtFire, I made a sale there..
go figure...
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Shout-Out to Celebrate Odd Etsy!
This is a great blog for the most part..no snark or laughing at people, or sarcastic running commentary from the blogger (hate that!) like Regretsy, just some good weirdness and geekiness..I enjoy it as a break from all the sweetness and light...sometimes ya just need a zombie or two, or a bacon rasher necklace, to cheer you up!
I also love to be someone's first customer..it's thrilling for them and for me! And I picked Creepy Stuff as my seller..
http://www.etsy.com/shop/CREEPYSTUFF
I kind of collect art dolls..but strictly strange ones, and this one is definitely strange..I'll post it when I get it..this may not be to your taste, but check out the blog anyhow..
I also submitted her shop as a possibility to Celebrate Odd Etsy!, the blog that posts on these various "unique" stores..this is a very democratic blog, as much as submitted shops can be..
We are free to comment, check them out, find them offensive (I have done all three) but I like the idea that there is an alternative to Etsy Front Page beige stick-figure model minimalism..
For somethng different, go check out Celebrate Odd Etsy!
I also love to be someone's first customer..it's thrilling for them and for me! And I picked Creepy Stuff as my seller..
http://www.etsy.com/shop/CREEPYSTUFF
I kind of collect art dolls..but strictly strange ones, and this one is definitely strange..I'll post it when I get it..this may not be to your taste, but check out the blog anyhow..
I also submitted her shop as a possibility to Celebrate Odd Etsy!, the blog that posts on these various "unique" stores..this is a very democratic blog, as much as submitted shops can be..
We are free to comment, check them out, find them offensive (I have done all three) but I like the idea that there is an alternative to Etsy Front Page beige stick-figure model minimalism..
For somethng different, go check out Celebrate Odd Etsy!
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