is Etsy worth it? and what to do instead!

Is Etsy still worth it for crochet business owners? Let’s weigh the pros and cons!

BENEFITS:

1. Easy entry: Anyone can start with user-friendly software—no tech skills needed!
2. Huge marketplace: In 2021, Etsy had 90 million active buyers!
3. Low startup costs: No hefty website fees are required to get started.
4. Marketing tools & analytics: Boost your visibility and track your progress.
5. Discounted shipping rates: Enjoy savings on shipping through Etsy.

WHAT I DON’T LIKE:

1. Lack of control: The “star seller program” and limited control.
2. Non-handmade items: Etsy’s marketplace has become similar to eBay or Amazon.
3. Uncontrollable reviews: Anyone can order from you, leading to unpredictable reviews.
4. Recommended competitor products: Frustrating when your prices are higher.
5. High fees: Transaction fees of 6.5% and additional charges on each sale.

My Experience

Let me share with you my personal experience with Etsy. It all started in 2019 when I opened my Etsy shop, filled with hope and excitement. As my business grew, I decided to expand my reach by participating in my first craft market.

During this time, I directed my customers to Etsy for their purchases. However, I soon realized that Etsy was taking a significant cut from my hard-earned profits. It made me question whether it was worth it to continue relying on this platform.

But what truly pushed me to leave Etsy for good was an unfortunate incident involving a wedding dress. In December 2021, I got engaged and eagerly ordered a dress from a talented Russian seller on Etsy. The communication with the seller was excellent, the price was fair, and I couldn’t contain my excitement.

However, things took a turn for the worse when Etsy unexpectedly deleted the Russian seller’s account without any prior warning. Panic set in as I realized that I had no way to contact the seller or receive updates on my dress. Etsy’s lack of communication left me feeling helpless and frustrated.

To make matters worse, Etsy refused to refund my money despite the circumstances. After a month of fruitless attempts to resolve the issue with Etsy directly, I turned to PayPal for assistance. Finally, after their review, I was able to recover my money. The entire ordeal was an unnecessary hassle that could have been avoided.

Lessons learned:

1. Etsy’s customer service is lacking, and I don’t want my customers to suffer.
2. Fear of Etsy randomly closing my account due to external factors.
3. Buying a wedding dress online can be risky (lesson learned the hard way).

Moral of the story: I left Etsy to avoid similar issues in the future. Though I don’t have a website, here are other options you can explore:

SHOPIFY: User-friendly, more control, and fewer fees.

SQUARE: Organize inventory and connect it to your free website.

Sell at craft shows, take orders through social media, and use Square for invoicing. If you want a tutorial on using Square, let me know in the comments!