Thread: Etsy?

I have sold and bought off of etsy. I love that site! I was nervous when I posted my item but once it was done, I felt great! I'm sure your items won't fall apart, haha. I have also sold things through Facebook. I just realized that customer service is important. I sent three hats to a customer one time and I was supposed to send four. When I sent her the fourth hat, I included a little extra. She was more than happy and has ordered more since. People know that you are human. The only tricky part I find is the shipping. It is so much more expensive in Canada! I find it hard to compete sometimes with other sellers because of it.

As for the cost of your items, I would pick a middle ground. Don't be the cheapest because people will think your item is cheap, and you will lose out on money. Don't be the most expensive because people will go somewhere else.

I crochet items. What I did was I went to a local photographer and offered a couple hats for newborn photos for free. I just gave them to them. Through them, I have received so many orders!

Good luck!

Well I have only just set up my Etsy shop in my siggy so it's quiet on there. Mrs Jazz gave some really great advise, pick a middle ground with price. Have a look at what seems to be selling and undercut the price by like $1. Spend a bit of time trying to take great photos and make your items stand out (something I need to work on lol). Etsy only charged 20 cents for every item listed and your item stays listed for 4 months or until it's sold. So it's a great way to test the water. But there is a LOT of competition out there so try and think of something a little different or unusual.

I have sold a few bits on Ebay but find its not always the best place for handmade stuff. People on Ebay want a bargain and I don't think everyone appreciates the time and effort that goes in to handmade things.

I have actually got most of my sales through setting up a page on Facebook. It's entirely free and you can invite all your friends to join. You can even have a little giveaway competition where you offer a freebie to the friend who can get most new people to like your page. And there are some good groups on Facebook where you can post the items you make and its all absolutely free so maybe try this first???

I love etsy too! But....I have heard from many people that the fees they charge sellers makes it not worth it in the end. Idk....good luck! Do you have craft shows in your area? Fb is a great marketing tool too! Good luck!

I guess if you are aware of the fees in the first place its not too bad. Its 0.20USD for ever item you list and then 3.5% of the sale price if something sells.

But I guess you also need to take in to consideration any Paypal fees too.

I've never sold anything there, but I have bought TONS of stuff from Etsy. I get all of Matthew and Leah's winter hats on Etsy.....and that's also where I got both of their personalized birthday shirts. I love it if I'm looking for something original or personalized.

Thanks, guys. We do have craft fairs and things here as well, but I don't really have time to make tons and tons of stuff, so paying to rent a table doesn't seem like a great option. It's more just as a fun thing. I think it would be good for John, too. I sort of dapple in hat making and such and I'm decent at it, but John is really, really good and has been considering a career change, so it may be a decent place to test the waters.


Mrs. Jazz- How do you figure out shipping? Do you just go to the post office and get estimates, then add it on to the price of the item?

Originally Posted by Jackie

Well I have only just set up my Etsy shop in my siggy so it's quiet on there. Mrs Jazz gave some really great advise, pick a middle ground with price. Have a look at what seems to be selling and undercut the price by like $1. Spend a bit of time trying to take great photos and make your items stand out (something I need to work on lol). Etsy only charged 20 cents for every item listed and your item stays listed for 4 months or until it's sold. So it's a great way to test the water. But there is a LOT of competition out there so try and think of something a little different or unusual.

I have sold a few bits on Ebay but find its not always the best place for handmade stuff. People on Ebay want a bargain and I don't think everyone appreciates the time and effort that goes in to handmade things.

I have actually got most of my sales through setting up a page on Facebook. It's entirely free and you can invite all your friends to join. You can even have a little giveaway competition where you offer a freebie to the friend who can get most new people to like your page. And there are some good groups on Facebook where you can post the items you make and its all absolutely free so maybe try this first???

Good point about the photos!! That is why I have the professional photographers on my side, haha.

Originally Posted by Jessy

Thanks, guys. We do have craft fairs and things here as well, but I don't really have time to make tons and tons of stuff, so paying to rent a table doesn't seem like a great option. It's more just as a fun thing. I think it would be good for John, too. I sort of dapple in hat making and such and I'm decent at it, but John is really, really good and has been considering a career change, so it may be a decent place to test the waters.


Mrs. Jazz- How do you figure out shipping? Do you just go to the post office and get estimates, then add it on to the price of the item?

Yes, I went to the post office and there was a nice lady there that helped me out. It is smart to get the shipping with the tracking number. It costs about $10-$15 to send within Ontario for 1-4 hats. You don't add this amount to the cost of the hat, there is a specific spot to put in the shipping cost. You can offer shipping for $10 and then say additional hats are $0 for shipping. People might order more of them in one order to save on shipping. It might cost you $2-4 out of your profit but you have sold 2 hats instead of 1. That's how I see it anyway.

I do prefer selling on Facebook because you can use email money transfer and then there are no fees. You don't have to pay to list, a percentage when you sell or pay Paypal. Completely up to you though. And Etsy might be a great place for your DH with his art.

Let me know if you have any other questions. I am by no means an expert but I have done some selling. Good luck!

Originally Posted by MrsJazz

Yes, I went to the post office and there was a nice lady there that helped me out. It is smart to get the shipping with the tracking number. It costs about $10-$15 to send within Ontario for 1-4 hats. You don't add this amount to the cost of the hat, there is a specific spot to put in the shipping cost. You can offer shipping for $10 and then say additional hats are $0 for shipping. People might order more of them in one order to save on shipping. It might cost you $2-4 out of your profit but you have sold 2 hats instead of 1. That's how I see it anyway.

I do prefer selling on Facebook because you can use email money transfer and then there are no fees. You don't have to pay to list, a percentage when you sell or pay Paypal. Completely up to you though. And Etsy might be a great place for your DH with his art.

Let me know if you have any other questions. I am by no means an expert but I have done some selling. Good luck!

Thanks, Carolyn. That seems like a crazy amount for shipping! Do people actually order stuff for that? Seems crazy to pay $15 for a hat and $15 for shipping!