Etsy Still Dropping Sellers
Filed Under Industry News & Analysis | 2 Comments
I’m astounded by the number of former Esty sellers that continue to comment on a post I put up some time ago discussing Etsy’s alleged heavy hand with merchants who use the site.
Another (former) Etsy seller recently wrote me to discuss how they never even received a warning and/or a chance to respond before their account was terminated:
I noticed you wrote an article about Etsy some time ago.
I am writing to you b/c of another Etsy issue.
I’m a single mother, who instead of collecting welfare, or other handouts I had an online ETSY shop to make money and support my family.Yesterday (without warning) my account was deactivated. The way I put gas in the car and feed my family was suddenly gone. I didn’t receive an email explaining where I went wrong, nothing….My account just vanished.
I am unable to retrieve my listings to post elsewhere and I am unable to retrieve my financial info.
I have been dismissed as a non factor.Etsy has it plastered all over their site about how much they care, and how fair they are. But I am not the first or only Etsian to have this happen. In this past year there have been hundreds who have suffered unexplained account deactivations at the cold, uncaring hands of Etsy.
They promote themselves as the caring handmade community, but I have found that this is not the case.
I am contacting many media sources about this matter. abc, cbs, fox, my local papers and more in an attempt to collect other Etsians who have had their contracts breached and financial info held hostage.
We need to be heard. This type of unfairness should not be silenced or dismissed. My goal is to file a class action Contract Disagreement Civil Suit and ultimately get some site rules adjusted.
If there is any way you can help me use the Power of media and press to spread the word it would be greatly appreciated.
I can provide you with Etsy TOU’s and direct quotes from Admin that state all members are given warnings and clearly informed when rules are broken to avoid miscommunication. This is obviously not the case as I have yet to now why I was deactivated.
Does anybody care to leave a positive comment about Etsy?
After my last post, reader Chuck wrote back to clarify that he was interested in learning how to provide the customer the ability to choose more than just the quantity.
“What I want people to be able to do is select weights, package types and quantities.”
eBay calls this “creating a listing with variations” and it looks something like this:
eBay offers listing variations in the following categories:
- Baby
- Clothing, shoes and accessories
- Health and beauty
- Home and garden (some sub-categories excluded)
- Jewelry and watches
- Pet supplies
- Sporting goods
What is a Variation?
Instead of creating a number of separate listings for a product that has a choice of options, you can create a single multi-quantity fixed price listing that includes all the variations you offer. For example, a T-shirt might come in multiple colors and sizes. Buyers can select which variation they want to purchase from the single listing.
How To Create a Listing With Variations
To create a listing for beef jerky that offers variations in flavors I would first select the option (located near the top of the Sell Your Item form) to create variations:
Upon clicking the Create Variations button, I’m presented a page where I can tell eBay what kind of varieties I’d like to offer my customers. After clicking the link labeled Enter Your Own Variation Detail, a pop-up appears where I can name the variation (flavor) and enter the first option (barbecue):
After clicking Save, I’m presented with the opportunity to enter the next flavor (teriyaki):
Create SKUs
I would click the + Flavor link to add more. Clicking continue will provide the opportunity create additional variations. After I’ve finished this process, eBay asks me to create a SKU for each variation:
Add Pictures
Next, I can enter the pictures that are applicable to the specific variations and shared pictures that apply to all:
Price and Quantities
Finally, I can enter the quantity of each variety I have in stock and available to sell and specify the price for each variation:
You’re Done!
Clicking Save brings me back to the Sell Your Item page where the Variations table now shows the fruits of my labor:
This is actually a pretty neat feature that eBay offers. If your category and your inventory support variations, you might just give it a try.
Questions?
If you’ve got a question that you would like me to address on this blog, feel free to drop me a note.
Offering Multiple Quantities on eBay
Filed Under How-To's | Leave a Comment
Chuck writes:
I’ve run into a situation where I have access to some product people order over and over and over.
I’ve perused eBay and ran across a listing where the seller had it set up where the buyer could select order quantities right there in the eBay listing.
For the life of me I cannot figure out how to replicate this.
I’m sure with your experience you have heard of this type of thing.
How do I do it?
I’m assuming Chuck wants something like this…
To enable the multiple quantity feature, simply select the fixed price selling format and enter an appropriate number in the Quantity box:
That’s all there is to it.
If you’ve got a question for me, feel free to drop me a note.
eBay Removes the Google Penalty
Filed Under Industry News & Analysis, Sellers' Insights | 2 Comments
I’m pleased to report that it looks like eBay has decided to stop plastering links to other sellers’ auctions above the descriptions on listings presented to customers who arrive from the Google search results. They still stick this box at the top of the listing:
…but I think I can live with it.
Almost makes me think that eBay is listening! (If you are, thanks eBay!)