I heard about Etsy.com from a friend. I want to sell some things I have made (tie-dye silk scarves, paintings, and possibly photographs). So I registered on etsy, created my shop, and created listings for 10 items. I read a lot of their material before and while Listing. I have no problem paying their monthly fee ($10) 5 pc commission, charges for listing each product and VAT (tax around 3.5 percent). There are a few more charges.
What concerned me was that they will charge me for shipping, even though I would be the one going to the PO to ship my product, and pay there, in addition to paying etsy.
I put in some sample numbers for my silk scarf (1lb) and their answer was $10.90 to ship it to Chicago. The website did not say if it was first class/priority/overnight shipping. I tried another product- a small 8x8 in) painting, with just 1 lb more than the silk scarf for weight and the shipping they would charge me would be $13 plus.
These are small gift items, not high price. I can't afford to pay these shipping costs, and it does not make sense to pay for shipping twice.
I went to their Facebook page and asked the question. Some people answered and one posted a link to explain the various charges. It is a lot bigger investment to use etsy, it seems. If I raise the prices to make up for these shipping costs, my items will never sell.
When I did a search on their website in that category, my products did not appear. However, in my 'shop' I do see them listed.It was not clear if I had to pay even more for people to see my products when they do a search for Silk Scarves. I did not select the various advertising options, google being one.
They have various 'help' links but they never answer my questions. I will continue to ask on Facebook but so far it has not given me a satisfactory answer. So it seems I will have to pay etsy those outrageous shipping costs, while I actually ship and pay at my PO.
Right now it does not make sense to me to use etsy.com to sell. When I checked the prices on that website for those categories (silk scarves and art/oil painting) my prices were in the ballpark, but some people had much more expensive items, particularly for paintings.
I am considering canceling, if their website tells me how to. However, it may help to get information from those who have used etsy to sell.
When all else fails, I ask fsuers. Certainly there are posters here that sell on etsy.
What is your experience?
What concerned me was that they will charge me for shipping, even though I would be the one going to the PO to ship my product, and pay there, in addition to paying etsy.
I put in some sample numbers for my silk scarf (1lb) and their answer was $10.90 to ship it to Chicago. The website did not say if it was first class/priority/overnight shipping. I tried another product- a small 8x8 in) painting, with just 1 lb more than the silk scarf for weight and the shipping they would charge me would be $13 plus.
These are small gift items, not high price. I can't afford to pay these shipping costs, and it does not make sense to pay for shipping twice.
I went to their Facebook page and asked the question. Some people answered and one posted a link to explain the various charges. It is a lot bigger investment to use etsy, it seems. If I raise the prices to make up for these shipping costs, my items will never sell.
When I did a search on their website in that category, my products did not appear. However, in my 'shop' I do see them listed.It was not clear if I had to pay even more for people to see my products when they do a search for Silk Scarves. I did not select the various advertising options, google being one.
They have various 'help' links but they never answer my questions. I will continue to ask on Facebook but so far it has not given me a satisfactory answer. So it seems I will have to pay etsy those outrageous shipping costs, while I actually ship and pay at my PO.
Right now it does not make sense to me to use etsy.com to sell. When I checked the prices on that website for those categories (silk scarves and art/oil painting) my prices were in the ballpark, but some people had much more expensive items, particularly for paintings.
I am considering canceling, if their website tells me how to. However, it may help to get information from those who have used etsy to sell.
When all else fails, I ask fsuers. Certainly there are posters here that sell on etsy.
What is your experience?
