Etsy Accepting Applications for 2nd Comm Council

This is a bit of news, just fyi. I know not everyone reads the Etsy blog or tolerates the forums so...

Etsy has announced that they are accepting applications for the second Etsy community council.

See this Storque article for information, and the application is here (also linked in the article).

The Etsy Seller Community Council is a group of members who volunteer to meet with Etsy Admin at least once a month for a period of six months to discuss marketplace enhancements and community offerings. The meetings are held in the Virtual Lab and ongoing communications are facilitated through Google Groups

The Hub - Where Annoyance Gathers

As many of you have noticed, Etsy unveiled their new Community Hub. With the cutesy Kindergarten sketch border at the top, and the Dorque articles prominently featured as Etsians try to find the forums - lacking a log in link but making sure you can buy crap from EtsyStore - Etsy has pushed branding and confusion to a new low.



So, dear EB readers, what are your thoughts on the Hub?

Join the Etsy Community Council

In case you don't read the Dorque (who does really?) Etsy is forming a seller and shopper focus group to test improvements (supposedly). Yes-men only need apply? We'll see.

Here is the information and application. The application is supposed to close May 29th but is currently unavailable. Why? you may ask. Well, our astute commenters caught forum threads that explain - wait for it - Etsy was directing people to an unsecure site to provide personal information!

By the way, Etsy, there was no all-member email about this! Come on people, how many times do we have to spell this out? C-O-M-M-U-N-I-C-A-T-I-O-N...communication.

We'll see if this council ever gets off the ground - for now though, their idiocy is reconfirmed.

Edited 5/19/09 to include new information regarding Etsy's fuckwittery.

From the Bitches Auxiliary: Rob & Maria's Excellent Adventure

Going out with a bang

Thanks for the chat the other night. I wish I could say you answered questions, but you avoided them.

You also mentioned that you are considering adding other people's items to MY shop. Not going to happen. It was cute the way you cut off the last two words in your poll, so people voting didn't see that you meant similar items from OTHER SHOPS. Classy. Bet you think that 34% were really thinking it was a great idea.

Now you want me to spam people with your referral link, that will send them to etsy itself, and not to my shop.

I'm not here for you, I'm here to sell.

You expect so much of us - to police the community, to help others, to promote etsy as a whole. You train others that come here to compete with us.

We get fees, week long turn-arounds on support emails and repeated slaps in the face for our troubles.

Thanks anyway.

Damage control

Hey everyone, I just want to clear something up. What Rob mentioned in the meeting was an idea -- JUST an idea. We often ask for the community's feedback on ideas, which is what Rob was doing in the office hours meeting with the poll. This is NOT a new feature coming up, nor is it something we're planning to add. We heard the sellers' response loud and clear that you dislike the idea, and we appreciate your input.

I'm going to close this thread in an effort to minimize confusion over this matter.

Quotable Quotes: Rob & Maria, sitting in a tree(house)

Best summary of a colossal waste of time:

Insert important question here"__________________________"

Answer: We think this is important too, and we are working on it, we can't say exactly when we will DO it though...

Important question here"__________________________"

Answer: We think this is important too, all we can say at this point is we are starting something (can't tell you exactly WHAT) and it is coming soon. (although we can't tell you how soon).

Important Question here"__________________________"

Answer: Oh yes, we agree this is something that needs work. And we are working on it...night and day, in fact we never sleep or eat...really. We love etsy as much as you do and we want this site to survive and thrive but we really can't tell you how or when we will make any changes or anything. Just keep the FAITH and KEEP ON LISTING, we promise you we will do something at some point in time but we can't tell you anything right now because it's top secret.

Thank you all for coming...

If you were quoted, congratulations and thanks! You can find your
celebratory "I've been Quoted" (and other EB avatars) by clicking here.

From the Bitches Auxiliary: Negative Nellies

Today's EB rant from me...

This thread on whether or not one should leave negative feedback for nonpaying buyers is driving me just a little crazy:

http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5690096&page=1

The general consensus seems to be that it's bad to leave negative feedback. Why? One seller suggests that negative feedback only be given when it's a truly negative transaction. Which is what, I ask? When the buyer comes over and kills your dog? How is not getting paid and not getting any response from a buyer NOT a negative transaction? Someone else suggests that they don't want to leave negative feedback because it might discourage that person from buying from Etsy again. What?! What is this "again" you speak of? They didn't buy in the first place!

I guess it's driving me a little batshit because it exemplifies a "rainbows and unicorns are beautiful and business is meanie weanie!" attitude that permeates so much of Etsy. No wonder Admin thinks they can jerk us around with empty promises: we don't really care about getting paid as long as people are nice to us! Why should Etsy take policing its own site seriously when sellers won't enforce their own rules? Or when sellers won't do other sellers the courtesy of letting them know about a flaky buyer?

I'm not calling for NPBs to be condemned or burned at the stake. One can be polite with negative feedback: a simple "this buyer didn't pay after several attempts to contact" would be fine. But please, at least admit that non-payment is a bad thing!

Thanks for letting me get this off my chest, EtsyBitch!

Dear Rokali

Go read, maybe post if you're inspired. Who knows, maybe this time it's not bullshit.

Rokali, I'm gonna make a quick post, since I know you are following a thread in bugs right now. I have actually been avoiding posting in the fora over the weekend, because I’ve honestly been wondering, what’s the use? But, since I know you are around, I’m taking a chance that you will care enough to respond here. I hope you will take a few moments to ponder the increasingly stormy climate in the fora – and the reasons behind it – and then perhaps address some of our concerns.

When you say
"Trust me, we're right there with you -- we want all this stuff to work flawlessly, and we do our absolute best to make sure of it." (quoted from bottom of this page http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5687775&page=9 )
are you referring only to the particular DNS/ISP issue, or are you referring to the Etsy experience as a whole? Because there are a lot of issues needing attention.

Have you taken a stroll through the rest of Bugs? Through Site Help? Through Ideas? Have you noted the many frustrations and requests for help, clarification, fixes? So much has gone wrong lately, added to the accumulation of many longstanding 'little' concerns (some are actually not little at all,) that users are at their wits end.

We have loved Etsy, been loyal and supportive, advertised and assisted in countless ways. In addition to promoting the overall site, here's a little tip-of-the-iceberg list to give you an idea of how devoted and committed Etsians are:

** flagging
** site help and bug-hunting
** newbie info (courtesy of sagittariusgallery, and a host of others)
** answers to FAQs
** contributions to the EtsyWiki ( http://www.etsywiki.com/ )
** Etsy Mini gallery of shops ( http://etsymini.blogspot.com/ )
** relevant search ( http://www.bestysearch.com/ )
** front page treasuries ( http://www.flickr.com/groups/etsyfrontpagetreasury/ , http://frontpagers.blogspot.com/ )
** 'hearts me' info-at-a-glance (Majaba - http://www.majaba.org/heartomatic.php )
** site news (UEN - http://etsynews.com )
** site stats (EtsyTools, RIP)

To name just a *few* ways Etsy users - sellers *and* buyers - go the extra distance to benefit *everyone else* here.

As you can see, the community has a great way of pulling together and helping one another, but there is only so much we can accomplish. None of us are paid to do these things. We do them to fill gaps in Etsy services and features, because we NEED these things, and many more besides. How about a little Etsycorp love in return?

It appears as if Etsy has strayed far afield of its original mission statement, which is having a snowball negative effect. And it isn’t just the usual ‘vocal’ users who are dismayed – many members are coming out of the woodwork to voice their concerns. Etsy, for many, seems to be going to hell in a hand(made)basket. What do you say, Rokali, to those who are feeling demoralized and disenfranchised?

To quote a much-espoused sentiment:
"hope breaks your heart on this site."

Verybigjen's quote has struck a chord that still resonates.

Quotable Quotes: Summer Camp!

Time for arts & crafts!

" It's summertime. Time for camp and crafts.

Tech stuff is School & Difficult & Un-fun. Crafts & glue & glitter & singing around campfires & field trips are fun.

I swear I feel like I'm at Girl Scout Camp sometimes in this place. Etsy, please tend to business. It's really getting quite foolish in here."

Quotable Quotes: Vegas Baby!

Feel like gambling?

"If I was a seller on this site I am afraid I would feel like I was on
a slot machine, pumping in my 20 cents and hoping for the jackpot."

Quotable Quotes: Cost of Living

"The completely random, unprovoked stabbings wouldn't be so bad if they would just drive down rent prices."

Stop the hatin'!

One thing that really gets my panties in a twist are people who feel it's necessary to bash other Etsy sellers, or buyers, here on our blog. Now this is just me talking about one of my pet peeves, but it is our policy on this blog that we focus on Etsy the business and the people who run it. If you need a refresher, read our mission statement on the sidebar!

Now, for all of you who can not turn off your Etsy forum habits - KNOCK IT THE FUCK OFF!

We do not and will not tolerate the Etsian versus Etsian carnage that is so frequent among its members elsewhere. If we are so busy hounding each other's merchandise, business practices, or opinions, we won't have the time or energy to fight for what we deserve as customers of Etsy. This should be our focus! Not tearing each other apart.

It doesn't matter what your craft or art is, if you're a vintage or supplies seller, or if you are or aren't a pain in the ass know-it-all with a vendetta. We are Etsy's customers and have a common goal. To put the site back on track. The community they've built has resulted in the need to say such things, but that is beyond our abilities to repair, not without each and every one of us stepping aside and saying 'ya know what, there are bigger fish to fry!'

So take off your boxing gloves, turn the other cheek, and stop insulting each other. Get off your high and mighty soap boxes and turn the energy towards Etsy and your business.

There are other outlets for you to let out your angst about your experiences with other people, but this is not one of them. This blog is about Etsy - the business and the management.

We know people rub you the wrong way. We understand the frustration with some people. Believe me, we all have those we steer clear from. But if you're going to say Etsy shouldn't have public favorites or a blacklist then neither should we or you.

If you agree with us, great. If you don't, then whatever. You piss us off, we don't care which category you fit in above, we'll tell you to fuck off. We're bitches like that. Get over it!

*btw, this is my opinion.

Quotable Quotes: Communication Breakdown

Below is a brilliant representation of the "joys" of communication with Etsy Admin.

"Members: We non-US sellers would really appreciated it being noted that the site is in USD. Thank you.

Etsy: Sure, we'll get right onto that.

Members: Umm, it's been a few months now, still no USD. Any update?

Etsy: Sure, we'll get right onto that.

Members: It's like a year now and still no USD. Do you realise that quite a few countries deal in Dollars, so it is confusing for our buyers and some sellers are losing money as a result. There are also legal implications.

Etsy: Sure, we'll get right onto that.

Members: WHY ARE WE WAITING?

Etsy: It's actually really really tricky and our engineers already have awesome projects in the works, so we can't help at this time.

Members: Are you for real? You string us along for like 18 months, tell us it's important to you and that it will be done. Now it's too hard??? WTF?

Etsy: *quickly slaps together a tiny USD that appears in only one place*
Well looky what you peeps got! USD before your money! Please, praise us. Send dried ice, now!


Is it any wonder people are tearing their hair out?"

Quotable Quotes: C.o.m.m.u.n.i.c.a.t.i.o.n.

Are you ashamed yet Etsy?

"Imagine if my customers (or potential customers) contacted me asking me a question and I didn't respond to them. What kind of an impression would they have of me?

1. They're not important to me
2. I have no intentions of doing/making what they want
3. They're annoying me
4. I don't want their business
5. I don't care about my own business

Now imagine if a customer bought from me and contacted me upon receipt of their package and wrote "The listing said this soap was blue but the soap I got is pink" and I convo'd them back and said "The soap is blue" and linked them to the listing in my shop showing a blue soap. And they wrote back and said, "yeah, i see that the soap in the listing is blue. What I'm telling you is MY SOAP IS PINK." To which I responded with another link to the blue soap listed in the shop.

What does THIS say about me?

1. I'm not listening to you
2. You're stupid, stupid--look at the picture, the soap is BLUE!
3. I don't really care about you now that you've paid me
4. It's not me, it's you. Really, it's YOU. Now stop pestering me
5. I don't have the time to actually ADDRESS your issue, so I'll just keep linking you back to the pretty little picture of the blue soap. See? It's blue. Got it?

What if a seller bought from me and contacted me a week later and said "Where's my order?" And I replied "I'm working on it". A few days later--"where's my order?" "I'm
working on it." And so on and so on.

Once again, I'm showing my customers that they're not important to me, I don't value them, and that maybe I'm not even WORKING on their order. "Oh yeah, I'll get to your order right after I finish this article on "Cool Stuff for Curly Haired People" for my blog and then make a video of myself showing my fly dance moves."

You can't provide good customer service to your customers if THEY ARE NOT YOUR PRIORITY.

I bend over backwards for my customers. I don't think it's inappropriate for me to expect the same from the venue on which I sell (and pay money to)."

Quotable Quotes: Cupcakes are the new Koolaid

How do I keep from feeling the wrath of Etsy Admin?

"just be sweet and kind all the time. Just imagine you're a giant cupcake and post accordingly."

Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww, that's cute!

Breaking News: View Tallies Spayed, um "Fixed"

Per the wonderful Revolving Dork, the Etsy engineers are "delighted" that the view tallies are fixed. He goes on to note that "We've tested this system thoroughly, but there is always a chance that an issue may arise once we have it running on the live site. If there is an issue, we'll be sure to alert you through the Storque and the Etsy News Alerts email list."

Uh huh, sure. Just like this past time right?

Response in the Forums has been tremendous. RD has spent more than an hour imitating Whack-a-mole with all of the redundant threads popping up stating the obvious.

It's even spilled over to Etc where the most important discovery has been that you can actually type "FUCK" in a thread title and not be censored.

Quotable Quotes: Brushwork

The Great Mineral Make-Up Brush Countdown has started:

"We appreciate you sharing your thoughts on makeup brushes and how they should or shouldn't be listed. We're taking this opportunity to review this matter and the restrictions set for these items. Should we have further questions that haven't been addressed in the connected threads, we'll bring them to you to get community input before making a decision. Thank you again for your patience."

I'm taking bets on how long before mineral makeup sellers and buyers get their answer, post them in comments.

From the Bitches Auxiliary

At 3:17 PM today (June 16) marymary started a new thread in the Ideas fora titled "Help Etsy Communicate better with its Community".

Immediately there was an onslought of posts expressing ideas to better the communication. Of course we've all been screaming for months that Etsy should stop locking threads and redirecting us to old threads in the Bugs fora.

At 3:46PM RevolvingDork closed sherrytruitt's post in Site Help titled "THE VIEWS PROBLEM cannot be fixed" and how exactly did he do this.. by redirecting us to a thread from APRIL about the views.


RevolvingDork says: "I thank you all for attempting to reduce confusion in
the forums, but I'm going to close this one up because it's a little
misleading.

The view issue can and will be fixed, but it may take a little while.
Please see this thread for all the current information on the
matter: http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5588705


Oh Etsy tell us again how much you value our opinion and wish to communicate better.

Quotable Quotes: Fraud

This thread is worth reading, post and be heard before Admin wakes up and shuts it down.

"The fraud is pervasive in all media here on Etsy.

Criminals have discovered that they can come to Etsy and steal photos and copy and tags from a seller, and open their own shop. Criminals have discovered that they can buy mass-produced items and sell them as artist/shop owner handmade.

Criminals have discovered that Etsy will NOT enforce policy."

Quotable Quotes: Evening Edition

There's just too many good quotes out there today:

"We need answers! We need help for these poor folks who are losing sales because of either misinformation, misinterpretation, or just plain favoritism of those other makeup sellers out there who get away with the stuff eventhough everybody and their sister flags their store for the same crap."

Quotable Quotes: Data Base

Don't mess with the sacred Database:

PP: "The idea that changing these things confuses the database does not make sense. It seems like it was given to us as a reason because it sounded tech-ie enough to satisfy most of us."

R: "I'm sorry...but does anyone who doesn't believe the data base is messed up by this...have any experience with this type of work? just curious"

PP: "I don't, R.
But I don't know how to build an airplane, either, and I know I can stand up and change seats while it's in the air and nothing awful will happen."