posted on August 27, 2014 07:18:47 PM new
No, not what you probably think.
I discovered an unusual Etsy policy and they refer to it as Sock Puppeting. They require each member on Etsy to be forthright with all of their IDs if they have more than one. Basically, you are required to reveal your other accounts you may hold. To ignore this policy would be considered "Sock Puppeting" or using another identity to conceal another.
I have tried to put this in a positive light as an Etsy user. My discovery was because I went to a forum and used my personal ID to discuss my business without mentioning the product. I had a question about returns. The first response pointed out that I had nothing to sell. I explained we had another account and was using this one as my personal account. All hell broke lose at that point. It was really bizarre. People commented that they couldn't help me if I didn't reveal my store and the product I was asking about. Really, what business is that of anyone elses? Why should I tell a bunch of other sellers what items I sell that are successful? Hmmm... let me give you ideas so you can steal my products and put me out of business?
What if I would prefer to buy supplies using one account and sell with another without revealing my seller account to the supplier? What if I wanted to sell vintage nude photos with one, while selling Jesus paintings with another? I could easily go on as to why someone wouldn't want to reveal another identity or product.
The best counter argument offered for the policy was using one account to buy from another account to increase your reviews. Obviously, that would be a policy violation.
I'm really scratching my head on this one. It was the strangest forum I ever encountered... and I've seen some strange things in the past. My only intention was to protect my product in doing so.
[ edited by shagmidmod on Aug 27, 2014 07:22 PM ]
posted on August 28, 2014 05:54:06 AM new
I think you have answered your own question-
People commented that they couldn't help me if I didn't reveal my store and the product I was asking about. Really, what business is that of anyone elses? Why should I tell a bunch of other sellers what items I sell that are successful? Hmmm... let me give you ideas so you can steal my products and put me out of business?
...............................
Etsy community forum is not Ebay,it is more like Ebay in the early days,it is like a neighborhood coffee club,a new member shows up and wont reveal his real name,where his house is and how many kids does he have?and what does he do for a living.
But all that will change as more Ebay sellers migrate to Etsy.
posted on August 28, 2014 06:09:05 AM new
I buy gold on Etsy and have to file item not received and item not described 5 times,it is outright fraud that sellers can get away with posting a picture and collect the money and Etsy is verl slow in resolving such cases.
When I went to ETSY forum to voice my concern,I found the posters all rather naive,so I decide not to post my experience.
Ebay has a place where full time Ebay sellers,professional sellers converse,may be you can voice your concern there.
posted on August 31, 2014 09:18:58 AM new
I can understand if someone wants further details of the situation, to see if there is something they notice that could be beneficial. However, that should be at the discretion of the seller, not others.
My issue with this policy is that I shouldn't have to link accounts if I don't want to. If I want to use one account to buy supplies and another to sell products, I shouldn't have to link the accounts so my suppliers know what I am selling products for using their supplies. If I want to sell two completely different types of items, I shouldn't have to link accounts either. I really think this policy actually hurts Etsy more than helps them. Of course, you will get the finger pointing naysayers out there who want to know everything about everyone else.
I even received input about how it is against policy to charge a restocking fee. There is no such policy on Etsy, it was just their opinion, which is fine if they just said so.
posted on September 1, 2014 11:50:00 AM new
I also explain our restocking fee. For example, if someone purchases an item with free shipping and wants to exchange it for a different item, then I charge the difference + the 2nd shipping charge + $2.00 for handling.
If they want to return it, I charge original shipping + $5.00.
I clearly explain that we extend free shipping for items purchased, not returned.
posted on September 1, 2014 08:01:50 PM new
Some sellers do not send out cancellation request to get their FVF back,after you returned the item,I think they just forgot to do so,
posted on September 3, 2014 05:08:24 PM new
There is no written rule on Etsy that you cannot charge a restocking fee,I know one seller does as she has too many returns.
She sells jade jewelry and sometimes her pictures look better than the actual piece.
