posted on July 28, 2007 06:52:18 AM new
Just read an interesting article in the Philadelphia Inquirer about an auction site named Etsy.com. It features handmade items. Very positive article, may give some traffic to this site. Thought I would pass the info along to any of you creative types out there. One quote in the newspaper, "Unlike staid Ebay, Etsy sellers write funny asides or stories with their items." I took a look at the site, looks nice.
Edited to report that it actually is not an auction site, no bids, just purchase which many people seem to favor.
[ edited by merrie on Jul 28, 2007 06:57 AM ]
posted on July 28, 2007 08:22:40 AM new
yeah Wayne - they call it keyword spamming. Doesn't matter if it's a keyword or not. Too many words and you're suspect.
posted on July 28, 2007 08:25:07 AM new
I don't know what you missed or didn't, Wayne, but eBay is very clear on this:
You may not include any text in your auction description that doesn't pertain directly to the item.
That is the main reason you don't see many fanciful auctions any more. There is certainly a lot I could do to liven up my own listings if it were not for the fear of being reported.
etsy is pretty terrific. I think they've managed to capitalize on a huge consumer backlash against mass-produced items, especially the dreck coming from China.
I also think, though, they're missing out on a great opportunity. One of the most oft-repeated comments I see about etsy is that there are so many good things and alas, so little money to buy with. I was looking at glass necklaces from an Italian artisan, at $200 and up. A bit steep for a casual purchase, but I could see someone putting one on layaway...if layaway were available.
posted on July 28, 2007 11:12:45 AM new
Fluff, I too, think think the site is very cute. It showcases handmade items and has a nice interface.I agree they could use some payment options, but perhaps they are not ready for that.
I like their fee schedule:
Sign up - free, your own shop - free, listing an item - 20 cents, selling - 3.5% fee. That's it. All listings include up to 5 images. Listings stay up for 4 months.
I hope they stay uncomplicated. I would look into it if I were creative!!
posted on July 29, 2007 03:12:28 PM new
You don't have to be creative to sell on Etsy. You can sell supplies and ephemera TO the creative people and they are looking for all kinds of odd and not so odd stuff.
They also have a vintage category where people sell clothing, household goods, jewelry and more.
posted on July 29, 2007 04:43:06 PM new
I like the site but found the search was not easy to use. I had a hard time finding items that interested me. I don't think I will use it for buying but I have a lot of handmade items from my earlier art projects. -----o----o----o----o----o----o----o----o
“The illiterate of the future will be the person ignorant of the use of the camera as well as of the pen.”
Maholy-Nagy, Vision in Motion, 1947
posted on July 29, 2007 09:38:00 PM new
I agree the Etsy search is not easy but it must make sense to some people because I am making sales over there and I am selling things that would *never* sell on eBay.
I'm selling things that were destined for the trash and I'm not writing any funny asides or cute stories either.
