Etsy Turns Convo Messaging into an Instant Chat System

by: thriftyone

well that explains the picture being changed in the items being liked/favored..I guess the programming was too difficult for them to figure out when to use the item picture being favored and when to use the persons avatar for instant chat..

by: Life During Wartime

How is this change helpful for users with visual impairments?  

by: purpleiris

So, are each of these chat conversations private? What happens when a seller needs to contact a customer? Do they still have the ability to send emails? If not, that just speaks to the stupidity of these people.

by: HappyOne

Oh great now when someone “hearts” an item (they never buy) they can start a convo about how much it reminds them of Aunt Molly or Uncle Fred.  

by: Lisa

i picked a really good time to take a long etsy break

by: OnlyPollyPocket

One of the main reasons I like selling online is that I can do it at MY convenience.  I do NOT want to be available 24/7!

by: SammyCat

Well ... there's something I like about this which shocks me.  I gave the 'auto reply' a run and its a great way to start a conversation while you're sleeping, and letting people know that you'll be back to them when you're online.

You can set it for 1 hour, 4, 12 and 24 or even 48, but you've made contact.  

You can turn it on or off when you want.

However, I don't understand what they couldn't code this and KEEP the dang photos which are invaluable IMHO.

by: SammyCat

Oh ... my only concern is, HOW PRIVATE are these convo's!!!!!

by: Snapped

Online privacy is an oxymoron.  
24/7.  Everywhere.

by: Freeeeeeeee

I provide fully detailed listings so I rarely get a convo but I will be putting this innovation in the "I don't give a damn what Etsy wants box" along with the rest of their latest improvements.

by: maxmad

You can barely reach these turds when you need to contact them.

Our research has learned, this company has lost their mind,,,,,,,

by: pennyemporium

currently, on my shop, this is in 'beta mode' and there is an on/off toggle.  is this etsy announcement suggesting that this will be REQUIRED?  

if so, can someone suggest an appropriate "i'm away from my computer" auto-reply, perhaps i'll just copy the cable company's inane 'you're on hold for an hour but let us pander to you while you wait' message of "all agents are busy helping other valued customers like yourself. your call is very important to us and our goal is to provide the best possible customer service and we'll connect you to the next agent as soon as possible ~ your estimated wait time is 55 minutes"

etsy can't think this is a good idea!

by: SammyCat

I guess they didn't account for people eating and sleeping.  Oh an maybe taking kids to their extracurricular activities, dinner with their spouse etc.

I am also going to guess that this is something that we will be required to pay for some time soon - a plan upgrade etc.

Its all about grabbing as much money from small shops who with stupid changes are struggling to make a go of it.

We're supposed to hand over every penny to them and just lavish in the knowledge that we are creating and/or reselling.

by: purpleiris

"just lavish in the knowledge that we are creating and/or reselling."

Yeah, getting a sale or two a month will keep people hanging on, just like it did me, because it gives you false hope that things will improve. For the past two years, my sales there were always cyclical. So, what was once a growing business had its business stolen from it for 8 solid months by the very venue claiming to help small businesses (hijacking my Google links), it never recovered, as it was only given a token sale or two each month, and now this small business has wised up and did what I should have done in 2016 after discovering their theft...closed my shop for good.

The only purpose it serves now is to advertise my business elsewhere.

by: SammyCat

They say they don't have servers that they turn off or on at will, but, based on my experience that is exactly what happens because its the only thing that makes any sense.  

by: SammyCat

gotta wonder what the strategy is putting viable, money making shops on the back burner or forcing them to leave when making sales and commission is what the site is about LoL.  

by: BargainzBabylon

The only way this is going to work for most people is having an 'out of office' message - so they'd better not screw that up along with everything else.  

by: rover

Well I guess Etsy (once again) did not think of their international sellers who may be in different time zones! But then the only times Etsy DID think of non US sellers was when it came to shaft them with measures like:-

Search manipulation/localization
Ripping them off by claiming a % on shipping charges
Forcing them to provide FREE shipping
Incorrect VAT charges

by: hawk

does etsy actually think that working sellers can sit at the computer day and nite hoping someone will contact them. unlike etsy CEO's  , we actually have to make our products , sell them , (it's called work) , take care of family , and a multitude of other life things to do. these people actually know nothing about what small sellers have to do just to survive. from under what rock do they dig these people up ??

by: ewegolf

This is time invasive for all the "handmade" sellers that are trying to produce 200 units per day.