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mooredesign13

Austin Moore
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An open letter to Etsy. Written as of October 23rd, 1017, out of my own personal frustration with watching the decline of my once favorite website, as it spirals towards the depths of just another place to buy stuff.
As an open letter, I am open to the copying, of this letter, in its entirety, or parts, to be used how you see fit. No recognition or permission is required.
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Dear Etsy,

I've been selling on your platform for 8 years now and at over 4000 sales and a consistent 5 star review record, I feel I represent many of your long time sellers of crafts and handmade wares.  I'll keep this to the point: As soon as you opened up the marketplace to sellers of goods which they did not make themselves, the Etsy marketplace has been flooded with cheap goods and supplies that do nothing to further promote the Etsy brand, and do substantial harm to the small business like myself who once flourished.  Over the last year I have seen my own sales decline, replaced likely with those business offering up a cheaper, and more heavily advertised option.

As a case in point, if Etsy were to sell one of my item, it would retain a higher commission than selling several of the lesser expensive alternatives. Just saying....

I do understand that Etsy now has two main categories: Etsy, and Etsy Studio.  Wherein the latter category is designed to house the aforementioned supplies, etc...  Unfortunately, there are many out there that abuse the lack of enforcement for these categories, and are simply setting up buy-and-sell style Etsy shops, where they simply market and sell goods which are not handmade at all.  This grey area is made possible by the rather lax option of having manufacturing partners.  In summary, these shop owners are not taking ANY part in their goods manufacturing, apart from perhaps adding their logo, and taking a photograph to list the item.

I know it is not possible to vet every single item and shop as it goes live, but the policies in place do very little to discourage these practices I mentioned above.  In fact, it could be said that they encourage them instead.

I don't have a solution, and I would be out of place to tell you how to run your business.  So I simply a writing to express my frustration as one of your core members who has put their best foot forward over the years.  I know after reading through the forums and conversing with fellow artists that I am not alone.

I know that you'll likely suggest I use the Etsy and/or google advertising option.  A service which I have not found to be useful nor profit bearing for myself. Prior to the etsy ads, my products were listed at the top of their searches due to their popularity and merit, not the amount of money which was spent on getting them there (Which was none). So thank you, but no thank you.

This letter is not meant to beg for your pity, but rather a plea to your good nature.

Please bring Etsy back to what it once was: A home for handmade goods.

Thank you,
Austin Moore
Owner
Earth Art Gem & Jewelry
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This is not really art... but I know a lot of people on DA have their eyes on some of my work so I figured it was worth noting that I have a two day sale running with 40% off a lot of my stuff.

www.etsy.com/shop/mooredesign1…

Enjoy!
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