Etsy has been around for a while, making a name in the enthusiast/hobby community. Thousands of handcrafted pieces created by makers and creatives are up for sale on Etsy. Whether it’s candles, jewelry, homemade clothing, or handmade pottery, you’ll be sure to find them on Etsy.
It’s not just handmade items that you’ll find on Etsy. They also sell manufactured goods like furniture, party decorations, electronic gadgets, and even clothes! Etsy is a great place to look for items especially if you’re looking for something really niche.
With that being said, is Etsy a safe and reliable place to purchase items from? What experiences did other customers have interacting with Etsy? Let’s find out together!
Is Etsy Legit?
Yes! Etsy is a legitimate site where you can make purchases from vendors online. They have over a decade worth of experience creating a platform for buyers and sellers alike.
Etsy also has a customer service center that operates 24/7. This makes things even easier as their live chat is also available 24/7. Etsy likes you to settle your disputes with sellers directly before submitting a ticket to them.
It’s important to fully understand what Etsy is before making purchases from its website. You’ll prevent making mistakes like buying from the wrong seller or overpaying for a specific item. Let’s dive a little deeper into that.
What Exactly Is Etsy?
Etsy is an online platform that connects sellers and buyers from around the world, much like eBay. However, Etsy focuses more on homemade or vintage items that have a specific target audience.
You’ll be sure to find many items on Etsy that aren’t available anywhere else. These things include 3D printed products or handcrafted supplies.
For buyers, Etsy’s interface is very similar to other e-commerce websites. Customer reviews are available on all products to verify their authenticity.
It is easy to talk to sellers as they have a built-in chat feature that allows you to do so when looking at a product. Additional information like delivery and return policies are also stated on the product page.
This makes it easier and safer for buyers to make a purchase as Etsy has been working on transparency between buyers and sellers.
Here’s an example of the information you might expect to find while shopping on Etsy.
Who Can Sell Things On Etsy?
Anyone can set up a shop on Etsy as their seller verification process is simple and straightforward. Etsy allows you to select shop preferences such as shop language, shop country, and even shop currency.
This allows sellers to narrow down their target audience and give a more personalized feel to their shops. It only costs 20 cents to create a product listing that stays up for four months on your shop. This brings up the total cost to only 60 cents per listing for a full year.
One of the downsides of ‘easy shop opening access’ in Etsy is that you have a marketplace that is vulnerable to scammers. There have been instances of fake shops on Etsy and people getting scammed.
However, Etsy has been proactive in taking action against these sellers. Nowadays it is less common to find unauthentic sellers and shops on Etsy. Even though the price of a single listing is small, it creates a commitment barrier for sellers.
Sellers would have to actively maintain their store to ensure that all their listings are up and running. Yes, scammers are still able to do this, but it decreases the likelihood of fake shops popping up frequently.
How To Tell If Seller Is Safe On Etsy?
There are a few ways in which you can make sure the seller you want to purchase from is safe. Here are some of the main things to look out for:
- Check product and shop reviews
- Check the number of sales
- Check the seller’s profile
- Check when the shop was last updated
- Check other products sold by the seller
- Ask the seller specific questions
- Look at the seller’s return policies
The first thing you would want to do when deciding to purchase an item from a shop is check their product and shop reviews. Previous customers tend to leave feedback if their experience was extremely good, or bad. You should be able to spot any red flags in the reviews.
Secondly, the number of sales is important only if the seller has not sold any items. If a shop has not sold any items and the shop has not been recently updated, that would be a giant red flag. Checking the shops’ last updated date gives a good indication of how often a shop is maintained.
Third, looking at a seller’s profile can speak volumes on the intentions of a seller. If they have no written description of what they do or who they are, it’s commonly known to not engage in business with that store.
Fourth, looking at the other products sold by a seller can be a useful tell in checking if a seller is safe or not. If the ratings and reviews on a product seem to be good, but lacking on other products, it’s wise to contact the seller to understand why that might be.
Lastly, asking the seller specific questions about your product or about their policies will give you a better understanding of how the shop is run. Scammers don’t normally have a lot of specific information on their products or return policies.
Conclusion
Etsy’s a great place to buy vintage or handmade gifts for your loved ones. They have over 4000 sellers to choose from and they deliver internationally! It’s a safe marketplace that brings together buyers and sellers alike.
Their 24/7 customer service also ensures that any issues are taken care of promptly. They also have a live chat that lets you talk to one of their customer service representatives if you’re facing a problem.
Do remember to use your best judgment when purchasing from Etsy as some stores are shady and don’t have the proper information on there. Contact sellers before making a purchase decision to guarantee your safety.
Will you be shopping at Etsy anytime soon? Let us know your experiences down in the comments below!