Anyone use etsy??

yasmin2

Hi,

Just popped over from the DFW thread with a question.. Has anyone used the Etsy site to sell anything? Any tips or feedback? Not setting up as a company - it was more to sell some odd bits and pieces which are brand new and vintage style that I have purchased and not used.

Any info will be happily received.

Thanks.

Yas

greenoo000

Hi, you can only sell either stuff you've made yourself, or vintage items (over 20 years old qualifies as vintage to Etsy). Selling brand new items is not allowed. I think ebay is the best site for new items.

soolin

yasmin2 wrote: »

Hi,

Just popped over from the DFW thread with a question.. Has anyone used the Etsy site to sell anything? Any tips or feedback? Not setting up as a company - it was more to sell some odd bits and pieces which are brand new and vintage style that I have purchased and not used.

Any info will be happily received.

Thanks.

Yas

I sell on etsy, the fees seem a bit steep and the sales a bit slow, but at least there are sales. If you look on the referral board there should be a referral thread that gives you 40 free listings if you sign up using someone's referral link.

As for tips, make sure you sell internationally and provide overseas postage options as etsy is more popular abroad than it is here.

Wizzbang

Signed up for it to sell handmade craft items and I've never managed to sell a thing!

soolin

Wizzbang wrote: »

Signed up for it to sell handmade craft items and I've never managed to sell a thing!

It isnt brilliant for sales in certain categories as the market is pretty saturated. For craft items they tend to go better face to face, table top/ craft sales type of thing.

Hermia

Wizzbang wrote: »

Signed up for it to sell handmade craft items and I've never managed to sell a thing!

I think you do need to really, REALLY promote yourself when it comes to etsy. I know some crafters who sell a lot on there, but they all have popular YouTube channels, blogs and Instagram accounts. They also often make sure their image fits what they are selling. For example, I have a Muslim friend who sells hijabs and hijab accessories and she always makes sure she is wearing her latest designs on social media. I think if someone is making something quite common and does not promote what they sell etsy is very difficult. Craft fairs are probably better for those people.

Wizzbang

Craft fairs were a dead loss for me too. I'm sure I just hadn't picked the right niche/ on trend craft. I noticed the big sellers were cupcakes and driftwood art at the time. I've moved on! Most crafts are just a waste of resources anyway- there are only so many paintings or cards that anyone needs!

almost

I like the idea of selling on Etsy but it's just too saturated with stuff, and the cost that goes into making something (materials+time) make it a loss maker in my experience! Dealing with the customers can be tricky too. I gave up after one said they hadn't received an item twice and was really unpleasant. It wasn't worth it!!

Dinah93

I sell on etsy, get a sale most days year round and 3-10 sales a day in the run up to Christmas. For me it works out well, but mine is a design based product rather than vintage. Have to admit I don't do any promotion type stuff, need to really!