There are so many people that are trying to get things for free!! I have heard so many people wanting to keep the piece but complaining until they get it for free or a discount. There are also a ton of people that ALL THEY WANT TO DO IN LIFE IS COMPLAIN! We can’t please them. You did well.
My thoughts exactly. They are used to amazon's customer service where they're like yeah just keep it, but that's because they have a warehouse full of the same cheap manufactured crap and it's cheaper for them to do that than pay carriers for a return label.
Yeah, unfortunately, I think your comments and video hit the nail on the head. And it's probably not going to get better but worse. I have a small rustic handmade furniture business. And I have the same issues not so much with customer complaints, as just everyone making cheap knockoff driving your price down. Dollarama,Walmart, IKEA, home sense. If it's popular, someone will find a way to make it cheaper and a machine process. Which drives your prices down. After the cost of material, not even paying myself for any labor and just trying to keep your pricing at a cost to keep people interested. Make handmade items in this day and age. More of a hobby than a business, unfortunately. Plus, inflation, low attention span, a lot of people would almost rather cheap out and get the knock-off machine made one from dollarstore and have it that night, then pay and wait.. Also, an artist and the same issue there. People don't seem to understand it takes 100s of hours of work to finish a piece. And they compare your work to a print they can find framed for 20 bucks on Etsy or Walmart.
I would tell her that it will need to be returned if she wants a refund. Some people don’t appreciate unique pieces. They done have their own style, they want the same stuff every one else has 🤷🏻♀️. Not ME!!!!! You handled this very well.
Whoa, hold up, I was expecting you to charge at least $20 for this! It's beautiful and there is so much that goes into ceramics. But obvious, if $10 is too high and not "worth it" she is just someone looking for something for free. You can never make a customer like that happy.
Yeah for a $10 item, just wow. Who knows maybe she was just having a bad day. I also get "I thought it would be bigger for the price." But I take a video of me holding it in my hand and then I photograph a ruler directly on top of the little bowl. Yeah, just some people.
There is always that one person that you can't make happy no matter what you do. Etsy makes such a big deal out of us being STAR sellers and getting 5-star reviews and there is 0 ZERO Zilch ways for us to see the quality of the buyer. This person probably uses the same routine for every purchase and considers it a magic life hack they created. Sorry for the rant, but I do feel your pain.
Yeah, I definitely feel the pressure to maintain star seller status. A few months ago I lost star status over a message I didn't see until a day had passed. I noticed no difference in sales during that month.
It sounds to me like she was trying to get a refund and wanted to keep the ring dish. You are right, it is a shame that people don't understand the value of homemade. It goes beyond the time and money you have invested in making the dish. Its supporting American people. Keeping these "trades" alive. One day when the world comes crashing down, she will be grateful to find a potter. I dunno...I dont get it either.
A customer said to me, "This looks handmade. Did you make this?" 🤦🏻♀️ I think people shopping on Etsy see so many drop shippers that they don't realize there are handmade items sold on Etsy.
That says more about Etsy (and what is has become) than about the buyers, I'm afraid. Remember when Etsy was homemade everything? I miss having more artisans and craftspeople there on Etsy. That's what set it apart as a marketplace.
I'm sorry you experienced this & thank you for sharing with us. In sales there is always bound to be a rotten apple person like this buyer. I also even wonder if it's just an "opportunist" just trying to get it for free. Not only, like you said, is it "only" $10 for a beautiful, labor intensive, handmade object, I don't think you even mentioned the skill/training to be able to throw, as well as the cost of materials!
I completely understand your frustration and agree, handmade items hold a unique value due to the time, care, and attention that goes into each piece. Handmade Work is a reflection of dedication and artistry, and it’s special because of that. I think sometimes feedback, even when it's negative, can offer valuable insights. Maybe it could be helpful to ask the customer what specific aspects didn't meet their expectations. This way, you might gain a better understanding of their perspective and find opportunities for future market share. I’m sure many people, like myself, appreciate the beauty and effort behind each piece! 🙏💕
But in saying that some people always just want to jam the system and get away with what they can, either way, be curious I’m sure with a few questions they will reveal their true colours
Yes, I definitely try to learn from comments, but sometimes, there just seems to be no reason. I had one last month that bought a fairy house for her aquarium and her fish didn't like it. She wanted the fish to go inside, but I guess the house was too small. So in the future I will try and include a door measurement for those fish lovers. That I can almost understand, this one was just a, "I want my money back."
I would never refund unless they return the item in 1 piece. There are a lot of scammers on Etsy who are completely happy with their purchases and complain because they know that Etsy will side with them and refund them for their order.
Wow ~ the nerve of some people! Insane. I like your perspective, though, full of grace! Maybe you should list your itemized steps on each piece you ship. Well done, Sarah. I'll see you in Rob & Allie's community. 😊
I think you did the right thing! I get your frustration, there goes a lot of work and love in what we make and it feels unfair I think when people say that about your product. Thanks for sharing
I'm a jeweller, I get the same sort of deal with my customers. I was asked to design and manufacture two dragonfly pendants for a women, they were stirling silver and copper. I was stupid enough to not get a price agreed to before I started work (It was my first commision build and I'm still pretty new, I won't make this mistake again) on the pieces. I went ahead and did all the design work and built the necklaces and pendants, then told her what the costs to her were to her; and she freaked out and wouldn't pay. I was still not charging her what she should have been charged for the work I put in, and she still freaked out. So I thought to myself, lesson learned, and left it at that. Then she starts sending me pictures of mass produced garbage from chain store jewellers with cheaper price tags, this was insult to injury for me. I lost my temper, and said she can deposit the whole affair within herself from the rear; but in much more expletive laden sentences I won't repeat here. My point was, go and buy the cheap junk if that's all she wanted to pay, she obviously knew they existed. She asked for a bespoke design and build, and that doesn't come cheap, these people don't (or don't want to) seem to understand the effort that we artists put into the work. Like I say, lesson learned and I am sorry you were treated this way as well. That ring dish is beautiful, and a dead set bargain at only $10.
Wow, I am so sorry that happened to you. I can only imagine how beautiful the dragonfly pendants were! I pretty much never take custom orders through Etsy. It's just not worth it.
Right?! I could almost understand if we were talking about $50, but $10, I feel like that's the cost of a bag of Doritos at the convenience store these days.
Wow! The entitlement of some people. Having worked as a wedding musician, yes hiring live musicians is pricey because you're paying for their overall experience and the time and materials used to produce whatever the end product. For someone to devalue that, I would tell them "You can always learn violin over the next 20 years and play your own wedding for free". And if I were a potter, I'd tell them you could pay to learn how to make your own and then pay for the equipment or makerspace to actually make it to your exacting specifications, but I assure you my piece is less expensive than that.
What? Two dollars profit more like a loss. Artist ought be starving to do what they love...thats the bs people throw around cause they hate what they do to survive in this world. Props to you for making a go at it. Remember artist die of exposure
Don't get discouraged. Most people know the value of handmade--and the value of other people's time, energy, expertise, and love. Just keep doing what you're doing. Your pieces are lovely.
@@threelittlepotters I love pottery so much. We book people (I'm also a book person) feel the same way about A.I. writing books (and other things) now. It's not the same as a real human's time and creativity.
Pearls before swine as the saying goes. The whole Amazon attitude expands beyond the product to the delivery and returns. People have no idea that we are individuals and don't have the resources of mega-corporations. Same day free delivery, low price, unpaide returns etc. If nothing else it has taught me to say no to many of the outrageous request. On the whole I think face to face and individual websites is the artisans future. I for one am sick of being under appreciated and beaten down by Etsy and others. (Your work is beautiful and great value for money).
I don't sell on line because I tried it but complaints oh it's not the same colour it looks smaller it looks thicker so I sell direct they can see what they are getting yes I am loosing lots of sales but I have peace of mind I think your little dishes are well worth the price they are unique love your vids thank you
I am glad you like the videos! Yes, I agree with you. Even when I photograph the piece with a ruler in the picture I'll still have people who thought it would be bigger or smaller.
You handled that with a lot of patience. Unfortunately, some people are just not happy inside and take that out on other people. Great job staying true to you.
First of all your ring dishes are absolutely beautiful! Secondly, aside from the creativity, hard work and time you invested in your pieces, I’m totally sure the quality of materials is much more expensive and of higher quality than anyone could find for lesser price. That’s insane! In fact, I thought they’d cost more.
If you really love and appreciate something handmade you wont care what it costs. My estimation based on what you've said is this person knows what they want but they do not know what they have.
@@threelittlepotters Well I think everyone is different as to what suits them for me it is to establish my own website first. I got to that decision by thinking hang on all these fees and commission paid out to all these other parties I could be using that money to promote myself and have a tangible business. Like Etsy shops are not a business might be ok for a side hussle but then you can be shut down at any moment and their stupid refund policies etc. I like to have more control, yes its going to take a lot longer but thats ok.
That customer is what used to be called somebody who wants 12 pence change from a shilling (a shilling was 12 pence). If they are so cheep why did they try and buy a quality item in the first place?
you handled that with aplomb. i'm sorry that you encountered a customer that should stay the h** off etsy and stick to aliexpress, temu and walmart where they can get all the junk they deserve. ❤
Don’t give her comment too much thought or let it live rent free in your mind. She is likely just looking to get something for free and not taking your time or effort into account. I’m sure she actually likes it and thought you’d buy into the “customer is always right” narrative. And your mental health is worth more than her strategic plans or an unwarranted 1* review.
I usually do just give in, hoping to avoid a negative review even if I really disagree. I guess if I had more customers trying to get refunds I'd have to re-think my policy. I hope that most people out there would never do that to a small business.
Sorry that you were hit with that. IMO you're not competing against cheap, machine-made ware, you're competing against ignorance and cynicism. A cynic is one who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing. Let it go quickly. This person isn't worth the negative energy they're creating.
I would not give refund unless she send it back in good condition and in a timely manners. I know she could leave you a bad reviews but Etsy also allows you to respond publicly. I know this is not worth the time but in a way you allow low quality buyers/scammers to get away with it and the cycle keeps on going with you or other sellers. When something like this happens (and that is rare) I let them leave a bad reviews and I'd respond in a professional manners. Or not respond at all. More often than not I received five stars positive reviews right after that. Your quality buyers are going to see for themself if your work is worth the money or not. You might lose some of those that chose to listen to the negative bad apple reviews, but you don't need anymore potential problems anyway.
I sell on Etsy and I would have made her return it for the refund, then, if it was returned or if she kept it but left a bad review....comment to her comment if necessary and then block her from your store. There's always a few bad apples out there and part of the glory of being your own boss is throwing the bad apples out of your store :).
@@threelittlepotters Yes, and it is sometimes necessary. I saw another seller get taken advantage of three times before she blocked the lady. Etsy gives you the option to block people which is so nice.
Don’t worry about it. I’m sure you’d much rather that your carefully handmade items go to a lovely appreciative home anyway! It’s not worth wasting your breath on people like that, they will never understand the care you take over these beautiful handmade pieces! I only want the right people to buy my pieces! Let it go, she’s not worth it!
I know it's frustrating, but don't let it get you down. I also agree with asking for the item back first and then issuing a refund; too many players out there trying to get stuff for free.
Our comment to the customer that wants something cheap. Are you looking for a good value or are looking for a handcrafted quality piece that no machine can produce?
