It’s hard to know whether sellers should cheer or jeer an expose of Etsy by UK broadcaster BBC. A new segment of BBC Watchdog reports on the availability of mass-produced items masquerading as handmade goods on the marketplace – with a significant markup in price.
The BBC consumer reporter began his piece with an interview of a shopper who had bought an item on Etsy listed as handmade. But the buyer discovered the item had been sourced from a retailer and listed on Etsy at three times the price. “I felt a bit like a mug,” she said about feeling duped into overpaying for a commodity on Etsy.
While sellers who adhere to the site’s policies want Etsy to be pressured to do more to rid the site of mass-produced goods, it was clear some sellers had grave concerns about the ramifications the BBC expose could have on their own sales.
In a tweet responding to the BBC about its segment, a seller said she was pleased to see it call out the resellers, “but hope potential customers aren’t put off from coming over to look at genuine sellers.”
Etsy told the BBC Watchdog it used a combination of human and automated systems to remove items that violate its policies. It said reselling was not allowed on its site and said it was expanding and strengthening its programs.
Sellers discussed the television broadcast on the Etsy discussion boards. One seller said Etsy was “drowning” in items that break the sites rules. “It’s much, much worse than it’s ever been, and the fact that Amazon chucked off a load of resellers for reviews manipulation is a big impetus for this sudden increase, as they looked for new outlets.”
“Good,” wrote another. “Media coverage seems to be the only thing that moves them. It’s ridiculous how non-handmade Etsy is. And vintage? Etsy’s never met her.”
Another said once consumers lose trust in Etsy, it will affect all of its sellers.
The episode aired in the UK on Wednesday, it will likely become available on the BBC website.
A person on Etsy is selling ball cap style hats with embroidery.
I asked if the hats were made in America.
“No, made in China, but the embroidery is done here in America.”
So Sad…..and unacceptable.
If you think Etsy carries just hand made and vintage–think again.
It’s flooded with mass produced items from China and India against which bonafide producers of hand made one off goods struggle against.
Worse yet–there are counterfeit items too and Etsy does nothing about them.
It has become another cheap bazaar like Ebay–in fact Ebay’s ex CEO isn now at Etsy so don’t expect anything but the bottom line to count.
Etsy no longer cares if sellers offer mass produced.
Many sellers have left Etsy to set up their own websites so that they can offer their special hand made specialty items unhindered.
Etsy has lost its way.
No longer a place exclusively for handmade or vintage.
Tons of mass produced items against which bonafide sellers of handmade must compete.
A cheap bazaar much like Ebay now–in fact Ebay’s former CEO is now Etsy’s CEO so all that counts is the bottom line–not quality.
Still many fine handmade and one of a kind sellers there but they must swim upstream in all the junk advertised.
I could have told you this years ago. How has nobody including etsy noticed this yet ? I see the same items I am selling on Ebay for decades, listed on Etsy for years now. They are imported and mass produced overseas. I am sure millions of other items are also the same. I don’t know why etsy allows this.
Etsy has a BUNCH of problems. Most recently is merchandise like grocery store candy being resold in “Gift Baskets” and some of the sellers of this are even getting “Star Seller” ratings. Other gift basket things are being sold filled with resale items. Etsy has a policy all items in a gift basket must be handmade by the seller. The new sellers coming onto Etsy assume it’s another Ebay and don’t bother to to read ANY rules. Etsy expects other sellers to report the sellers that aren’t following the rules. Why should the compliant sellers have to waste their time for FREE to do a job that Etsy should be doing? Adding that reported stores are often in business long after they have been reported.
Also Etsy allows “Mature Audience” items that some sellers take to mean they can have porn style pictures in their listings. It is just not nice when you are doing an Etsy search for something you want to buy, and because of incorrect tagging, you get a bunch of pictures of peoples naked nether regions or suggestions of slimy used panties. Etsy has a LOT they need to work on, but they won’t, because it is all about the money.
Etsy should not exist.
Not with the way it is being run right now.
it’s sad. i’ve been on etsy for a very long time. I can’t compete with bogus resellers.
I have been searching for an alternative marketplace for a long time, and having your own website seems to be the only option left, Bonanza is a dead marketplace, eCrater is too complicated, eBay is disaster and Etsy is going down the same road. So no what?
@TheEnd – What’s the difference between using an imported ball cap and other imported supplies such as jewelry findings? Some things just aren’t made in the U.S. As for Etsy rules, if the seller is doing the embroidery, then the cap IS “handmade” by Etsy’s standards. I very much resent your comment about “Etsy should not exist.” Etsy isn’t perfect, that’s for sure, however it IS a major part of my soon-to-be retirement income … and my city doesn’t need another panhandler on the corner!
@Shikari – The current Etsy CEO (Josh Silverman) was CEO of Skype, and eBay owned Skype at one time. That’s not the same as being CEO of eBay. Etsy lost its way back around October 2013 when it announced “outside manufacturing” (now called (“production partners”). However, strangely enough, my sales have only gotten better since then (and no, I don’t use production partners … 95% of my listings are handmade by my own two hands and the other listings are vintage items or destash craft supplies).
@MsM – I became aware of the “snack food” gift baskets nearly a year ago. I was soooo pissed off about this that I reported 50 random shops selling this type of product. I made a list of the shops I reported because (for once) I wanted to see if Etsy really did anything about them. I’ve looked at a few of the shops since. Some are no longer selling gift baskets. Some have been shut down by Etsy. And others seem to have abandoned their Etsy shops. I haven’t made it thru the entire list yet, maybe I’ll give that another go soon! Etsy has rules about blocking out “mature audience” bits and parts in the thumbnail pic, but I’m not familiar with exactly what needs to be blocked out (i.e., boobs may be ok but lower areas not so much?); I’ve seen pretty graphic stuff in search so I know what you’re talking about!
@lisalehmanndesigns – Don’t try to compete with the manufactured or imported crap. Explain in your descriptions enough about how your items are made to show shoppers that they really are made by hand!
Etsy had one job to be unique by supporting true artisans. They failed miserably. I hope Etsy’s earnings begin to take a nose dive which is when “The Board” will hire new management. Silverman had his day in the sun…now he needs to go. “Gold and Silverman” has turned this site into a huge trashcan while he recently cashed out $7.7 million in December. And “your welcome” for all of MY hard work, Silverman!
Etsy is only concerned about making money for theirselves. That means anything and everything can be sold there and they just ignore it and ignore their own rules. Honest sellers are getting screwed badly. They have rules against porn, but it there. They have rules about handmade, but it has turned into a more expensive China store. You can look for kids pajama’s and get bare female and male crotches right next to little kids. And from what is being seen on twitter it gets worse than that. It has turned into a free for all and Etsy turns their heads. Shut down legit shops and now are appying reserve accounts….why and are they making interest on holding sellers money? Trying to squeeze blood out of a rock with constant rule changes and fees and holds. Is Etsy legit anymore????? The greedy Etsy admin needs to be replaced and the CEO