I think this will work out well for the artists,furniture makers, even vintage sellers, where its expensive to ship furniture, large canvases and overall large and heavy items
As a buyer I would sign up monthly because I buy a lot of supplies from Etsy. As a seller, I wonder what the pressure would be to get the item made and out the door faster than I normally could.
So would this maybe mean that I can no longer offer free shipping and just let buyers pay for shipping unless they sign up for Etsy Prime? Weird but I’m ok with letting Etsy foot the shipping bill
They take fees from our shipping, but now they are paying for the cost??? Just doesn't make business sense - unless they hope to end up on a "forgotten subscription" and get monthly payments for no orders. I think people are getting more wise about budgeting - especially now
Customers pay a membership to Amazon bc Amazon sells mostly practical items. Etsy is a novelty gift shop, so I can’t see someone paying a membership for that
It’s going to be interesting! I imagine Etsy sellers will have to sacrifice to be a part of this program. As a buyer, I love free shipping. Even though as a seller, I know very well that shipping costs are added into the price of the product I’m buying. I charge $6 for shipping and free shipping once you hit $50. The psychology of free shipping is powerful and not lost on me. I just can’t bring myself to charge $15 for a bar of soap so it ships free🤷🏻♀️. Most experts are noting a slowdown in the economy. We need something that will keep people coming back to our shops. Etsy is a luxury and will be one of the first things people cut out of their budgets when / if times get tight. Free shipping might make that purchase more valuable to our customer.
Scott and Chris, thank you for breaking this down, I read the notification of the update and wasn't sure how their "Prime" membership idea would work. Thanks for the responses on your Live Video School by the way. So far we've been a very small vintage shop on Etsy and eventually want to move into handmade as well, however I can't offer free shipping on Vintage because each item is so different and various locations so my vintage shipping prices are all over the place but if Etsy is paying for it, then I can see the advantage. I'm wondering if you guys have an updated video of how to "set up" an email list for customers. I know I can send them a message as long as it's regarding the order, but do I just put a link to an email page I create in Gmail? Thank you both!
I think etsy will rank the sellers who are offering free shipping so they won't have to pay shipping cost from their pocket to *Etsy Insiders* subscribers.
I handmade all my products (glass flowers). During peak holidays I can have anywhere from 50-150 open orders and I can only make them so fast. Most of the time I'm 2-3 weeks out.
Hi Scott! I purchased your 123 POD course, I'm so excited to start, I've had some issues recovering the actual course, would love to be able to get in contact, love your videos!
I think their goal is that people who are purchasing regularly will pay the fee, but those who are not may buy more if shipping fees aren't a thing. I think many people will buy from another place when they can save money. But if they can get a handmade item for the same or similar cost, I think it's more likely they will go for handmade. If that's the case, it could increase the amount of people buying. I do think it's going to be about shifting that mindset and I agree with you that if it's not fast shipping, that could stand in the way of the program's success. I prefer to buy handmade, or even support a brick and mortar store, over buying from Amazon. But if I can save money or time, I will go to Amazon. That's a big part of why it's grown to be such a monster. 😅 People, especially in this day and age, are looking to save one of two things --- time or money --- and even better if you can do both. That's the challenge that Etsy is up against.
I agree quicker shipping would be huge for Etsy. If Etsy could match buyers to sellers near them and thus have much quicker shipping, that would be huge for all the parties involved - Etsy, buyers & sellers! Like Etsy could be the Amazon for personalized gifts & handmade gifts! Etsy already has a feature which shows you sellers local or close to you, so the matching would take it one step further.
being a seller that has a lot of repeat customers I think there will be a lot more of a demand for the free shipping especially from customers like mine. It won't be worth it to those who only do buy once per year.
I feel like shop owners are going to quickly abuse the shipping. When they offered free shipping because it was worked into the cost of the item, the item will stay the same price, and suddenly everything is $10-$15 for shipping. Etsy will catch onto it, raise rates and fees for everything and price out small shops, or theyll cancel the program all together.
I'd doubt any of the shipping money would go to the seller. This would only make sense if Etsy were just providing prepaid shipping labels based on weight. Sellers would still eat the boxing/packing/handling charges.
I sell handpicked vintage items. I have lower prices on these pre-owned items because my buyers are paying for shipping. They can choose USPS Ground or Priority Mail. By using the Etsy shipping calculator and my package preferences dimensions it is pretty reasonable. I always refund shipping overages. Buyers really appreciate the honesty. Buyers are not stupid. Nothing is free....the cost of free shipping is embedded in the Seller's pricing. Buyers like deals on the tangible things. I ship all my sales within 24 hours. So, I am not sure if this beta will be applicable to my shop. Trying to be a Star Seller for a reason. Pricing, delivery, and customer service.
I don't think a lot of people will do this, because Amazon sells stuff you need ally and buy at a store very often. necessities. Etsy is more splurge and gifts
Ultimatley would likely morph into sellers needing to use etsy shipping to qualify for the program and sales. No third party shipstation etc. Syphon pennies along the way. Controlled ecosystem.
You’re misunderstanding “domestic shipping”, and thinking it means what your mail company means, ie, not priority. Etsy doesn’t mean it that way. They’re referring to what the world means by ‘domestic shipping’ which is shipping within your own country as opposed to internationally.
When will you talk about the Etsy insider Deals - Who can offer this high of a discount for handmade? ***** Deals: Limited time seller-funded discount on one item from your shop targeted to Etsy Insiders. Discounts should be between 50%-75% from original retail price and we’ll work with you on a suggested available quantity.
It may work only if Etsy is having its own distribution center, delivery staffs (like Amazon), otherwise, how can FREE shipping be FREE? There's no such a thing as FREE, someone has to pay for it: customers, more likely.
So here's my take. It's all about profit. For the company, for the sellers and hell, even for the customers if they feel they got their moneys worth or better. If you look at who buys on Etsy by gender, taking several independent studies and calculating the average come up roughly 80% women 18% men and 2% non binary. Of those numbers, that 18% has room for explosive growth. Start masculinizing some of the ads AND shops on Etsy. Cater to both and that's where the gift giving comes into play. Make it a place where couples can come and shop for each other together. This marketing and copying seems like a dumb idea. I heard there are steep discounts which means i would have to raise the price of my products taking them out of reach of non members. This is just marketing trickery and confusing. Just market to your untapped demographic.
You will have to have Etsy shipping which I don't mind. Those thinking you will be the one that can SAY the shipping is $10000000000000000000000000000000000000000 dollars are ignorant as they come. They will know how much by the weight and size of the item and you will be kicked off the site if you mess with the numbers and lie since the post office numbers will be compared to what your lies will say. Why are people the way they are? This is why the world is like it is.... evil people.
I bet they are just going to provide you with a prepaid label based on weight/size. Sellers won't receive any money for shipping and will be responsible for packing/boxing/handling out of pocket.
