how do i use etsy

[staffslass]

hi all
was wondering if anybody can help me
while im been reading some of the stuff on the forums ive noteiced that some people use a web site called ESTY

Now ive had a look round the site and it looks very good and was thinking i migt start selling on there
but before i do there are a few things i would like to ask and if anybody can help please shout up

1, is it easy to join / is it free or is there a joining fee
2, do things sell quiet well can you set your own prices
3, when someone buys something from you can they pay you by cheque or postal order or is it all done by paypal

if i think of any thng else i'll pop back and ask
i used to do ebay but it turned out to be a hassel

hope someone can help

regards
staffslass

[Helsbells]

Hi Staffslass,

I have a shop on Etsy (unashamed advertising to follow):

http://www.etsy.com/shop/serendiptiychild

I found it fairly easy to join, the website takes you through the process and the more you look around the site the more you get to know the sorts of things you can achieve. From what I can remember it is free to join, you are charged $0.20 to list an item and I think they charge a percentage of your sales as well, (can't remember what it is though, but not much).

You can set your own prices and you can also set them in pounds rather than dollars. I have had my shop since march 2010 and have sold 31 items. The more items you list the more likely you are to make a sale because new items come up top in searches. I guess on average I have sold about one item per month? (without doing the maths). Not a huge amount, but after selling for a while you come to realise what things sell best and sell more of them.

I accept paypal for all my sales, as far as I am aware that is the only way to sell, however I have had a private order from someone who paid by cheque and bypassed etsy altogether.

I have found the website very easy to use and the whole process of selling very simple. It is what you make of it really.

One tip I could say is that you MUST have excellent photos of your items.


Take a look at this website to find out what NOT to do, and to get a giggle (the cynical side of Etsy):

http://www.regretsy.com

[Marmalady]

I too sell on Etsy -- in fact i have 4 shops on there :
http://www.Marmalady.etsy.com for edibles - cakes & preserves
http://www.MarmaladySupplies.etsy.com for baking supplies
http://www.Marmaladytoo.etsy.com for crafts
http://www.MarmaladyAllsorts.etsy.com for de-stash supplies & vintage items

Etsy is what yoyu make of it

it is easy to list - as Hels says, its 20c to list an item for 4 months plus 3.9% of the selling price when sold

But you cannot just list items and expect them to sell
You need to have excellent photos, and get your titles & tags right for being found in the searches (both etsy search & google)
But most of all you do need to spend time promoting your shop - you cant rely on people just stumbling on it

The vast majority of transactions are done via paypal - but you can accept whatever payment methods you like - cheques, postal orders, bank transfer etc. But you will lose custom if you dont offer paypal.

Also make sure you read the rules about what you can and cant sell on there -- it has to be hand-made by you or a crafting supply or vintage - defined as at least 20 yrs old

Good luck if you do decide to join

[red]

there are a few of us Ishers there ! :) I sell wool and woolly things i make - all from wool from our sheep

http://www.etsy.com/shop/colouritgreen

[Pumpkin&Piglet]

I am on folsky.com, do people recommend I change to Etsy or use both?

[Marmalady]

Etsy has far better traffic than Folksy
Most people that have a presence on both sites much prefer Etsy not only for far better sales but also for ease of use
If you make repeatable items I would certainly advise doing both sites.

If you make one-of-a-kind items you either have to be very organised to remove an item from one site as soon as it sells on the other, or split your inventory in two and only list each item on one site