QYDJ & Other Etsy Myths

MYTH #1: QYDJ

Only applies to shops making/selling stuff in the distinct Etsy style, working ‘round the clock, and secretly employing lots of "santa’s helpers." An obvious and rather worn out, boring ploy to get more sellers to make & list Etsy-brandable (and usually low-priced) products. You have to be in it (lock, stock & barrel) to win it!

MYTH #2: SHOWCASES WILL GET YOU SALES

Etsy’s added so many Showcases and sub-sub-sub-subcategory Showcases that most shoppers don’t look & don’t care. Hidden in remote corners of the site or obliterated by competing Etsy-controlled promos, they're the biggest cash cow on Etsy, at sellers’ expense. We refer you to the hundreds of forums posts on sellers’ own experiences saying they're not worth the money. In fact, this is akin to opening your window and throwing out a wad of $5 bills with nothing to show for it. Total seller rip-off.

MYTH #3: FRONT PAGE TREASURIES ARE CURATED BY SELLERS

For the last 12 months, more than 50% (at least) of the FPT's are picked by the same Etsy Admins who also pick the FS, GG’s, Finds, and write all the blog posts about a small selection of stores on the site. Rumor is that Etsy also edits the seller-picked-FPT’s that do get to the Front Page. Still wonder why everything looks the same?

MYTH #4: SENDING AN EMAIL TO SUPPORT@Etsy WILL GET YOU THE INFO YOU NEED WHEN YOU NEED IT

A real shot in the dark. Not only does your email go into Etsy cyberspace, you never know who will answer it, when they’ll answer it, and if they actually read your email request to begin with. Caution: Many responses, if at all, will be cut and pasted from Etsy’s list of "take it or leave it" formula answers. (Double Warning: Not the same thing as email to you from content@etsy making (too often false) accusations about violations in your store, hmph, try getting those straightened out before the brick wall descends without notice.) Sometimes, Etsy just likes hassling sellers, it’s fun! Brings out the best in their personalities!

MYTH #5 YOU CAN GET THE HELP YOU NEED IN THE FORUMS

Try finding facts and real help in the forums, we’ll see you after 3 weeks while you look for it. A real hotbed of misinformation, blatant seller-self-promotion, and way too many damn sections that have nothing to do with selling. Avoid the Bug Reports at all costs, because Etsy does too. Go ahead and avoid the forums altogether since "mutes" are contagious (as well as vindictive and ridiculous). Caution: reading the Admin Announcements, aka Edicts, may be hazardous to your health -they’ll send you to read a 20 page blog post (with branded-promo pix!) - avoid them like the plague!

MYTH #6: THE SITE FOR ALL THINGS HANDMADE

Well, we all know what happened to THAT starting in earnest 12 months ago, when the branding frenzy began, turning Etsy into a site for all things in the distinct Etsy style, screw the sellers. Enter at your own peril, shoppers and sellers alike. Remember who’s raking in the dough (and turns a deaf ear to seller complaints with a lock and mute) while you work your asses off with so little in return. Happy holidays with no sales on Etsy! The site that makes it impossible for most sellers to sell!

MYTH #7 ETSY IS JUST A VENUE

Yes, that's what it says in the Terms of Use, but we all know it isn't true. If admin likes you, you'll be promoted left and right; if you aren't completely agreeable, you'll find your fees taken and shop brick walled. Don't try asking questions about SEO, don't worry about mistagging and flagging, and don't try rectifying shopping cart issues or nonpayments...you'll just end up on their blacklist. They're not a venue, they're a popularity contest.