Comments on: Is Etsy.com A Scam?

By: Eddy Salomon

Eddy Salomon — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 02:35:00 +0000

Thanks for sharing. I think the problem with Etsy is it’s a home based business and not a job. So if you don’t know how to advertise and do marketing you won’t make money. That’s not really a problem with that company, it’s more of a user issue of not being a marketer which can be easily remedied with the proper training. I’m only speaking from experience when I wasn’t making conversions for my business. Once I learned to market that all changed. So that’s my two cents. I appreciate you sharing though.

By: jennifer

jennifer — Sat, 03 Sep 2011 14:37:00 +0000

thank you for your article. I worked long and hard on my Etsy store and nothing ever came of it. I had quality products at reasonable rates and was NEVER able to work from home and make any kind of living.

By: Eddy Salomon

Eddy Salomon — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 14:37:00 +0000

Marketing is necessary for any business. So agreed.

By: crochetgal

crochetgal — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 09:40:00 +0000

Etsy can be a great marketplace for selling your handmade items, but you have to be willing to work at it. Simply opening a shop does NOT guarantee that you will have sales. In fact, if you look at the ‘weather reports’ http://www.etsy.com/storque/search/title/weather-reports/ and do some quick analysis, one will find that the average number of sales per month per active shop is four, and hasn’t increased since Etsy’s inception.

And that Etsy makes more money from the $.20 per listing cost than they do in their 3.5% commission on sales.

However, if you are willing to do some extensive marketing outside of Etsy, then having an Etsy store can be profitable.

By: Eddy Salomon

Eddy Salomon — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 22:59:32 +0000

Frank,
Thanks for sharing your experience with Etsy. I’m sure many handy people will appreciate it.

By: Frank Hays

Frank Hays — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 22:53:13 +0000

I have been selling primitive furniture for nearly 20 years. i am always looking for ways to get my products in front of potential buyer. A friend told me about Etsy in January 2010 and I joined right away. Since then I have sold 1-2 items per month and had the opportunity of quoting and building several custom pieces. The next best thing about Etsy is the cost. It is extremely easy on the small guy. I recommend Etsy to every artist and craftsman I know.

For me, Etsy has been a great marketing addition to my small business!

Frank

By: Eddy Salomon

Eddy Salomon — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 03:09:11 +0000

Eunice,

Thanks for sharing your experience. It was a tough lesson learned and one the basic aspects of marketing. But I would argue that most of the new people that go to etsy to sell their handmade items don’t know a lot about marketing. But from what I’ve ready Etsy has a good forum that covers a lot of this stuff. But maybe they can do a better job of including some tips as one creates a store. Just an idea.

Natalia,

Thanks! I really appreciate it.

Gil,

Thanks for sharing this information about your daughter. You have every reason to be proud of her. That’s very inspirational! I wish I was actually creative. lol
By the way it’s Eddy not eddie.

By: Gil Hodges

Gil Hodges — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 03:59:53 +0000

Eddie, My youngest daugther has been a member of esty.com for a year now and has done extremely well with it. She designs and builds a line of what she calls “Funware” and “Barware”. You can see it at http://www.myspace.com/beadesigns. Between her sales at local arts and crafts fairs and etsy.com she earns over $2,000.00 a month. I’m very proud of her and her business. Esty.com is for real!!!

By: Natalia

Natalia — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 00:24:07 +0000

Eddy, just want to say thanks.. I love your site. Great job!!!

By: Eunice Riemer

Eunice Riemer — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 18:28:17 +0000

The mention of competing against commercialy made merchandise reminded me of what happened several years ago. I am a master knitter and I hoped that I could make some money making sweaters, shawls, mittens and hats. It didn’t happen. My stuff was well made and beautiful. It would last a long time. That isn’t what people want. They want new clothes and accessories every year.

So my family and I have a lifetime supply of sweaters, shawls, mittens and hats. Handknit wool hardly ever wears out. We’re happy, and I learned that I had better research my market before committing time and energy to a product.