WHY I DON'T SELL ON ETSY - The Good, The Bad & The Ugly (Getting BANNED)
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- Опубліковано 30 вер 2024
- I sold on Etsy for about 20 months and eventually got banned. It was amazing at first and I was making good sales (5-10 a day) but ultimately I found it frustrating, time consuming, and I got banned. Here's my story.
I am NOT saying don't sell on Etsy. I'm just saying... be aware of the positives, the potential pitfalls and the real-world challenges of having a successful Etsy shop. I wish you success!
#etsyalternatives
#etsy
#zenwatercooler
Thanks for sharing your experience. I have been considering starting an Esty store. It looks like Etsy is full of envious people who will report you just so they can have all the profits for themselves.
So true!
I refused to sell on Etsy due to so many T-Shirt creators would get so many takedown notices, and believe it or not, so many people are now trademarking so so many words, phrases, and simple sayings, I joined Trademark Watch Dawgs on Facebook, seen so so many folks getting takedowns, thought not worth using Etsy.
Yep not going there either lol
You are correct about that.
Yep, exactly that. Envious bitter people falsely reporting hard working sellers. How can anyone succeed nowadays
I can understand your situation. Well, you can complain and you can brag about it. At least you had some copyright infringement and they banned you.
I had opened an Etsy store last year. I added around 50 products in a week, you know the excitement right. And I was waiting for the sale to happen as I was adding more products. Hours of working on the store. One day, after 2-3 months of opening the shop, all the button were grey and I was not able to click until I saw your account has been suspended, after few hours I got an email from them saying my account was banned and I should never open a store again. No reason was given, why they banned my store.
I was so angry, I had spent 3 months, zero sales, and no reason was given why did they ban my account.
I think they have become too egotistical and proud of their portal and have become unethical. I simply hate Etsy
Thanks for the video
and yet there are people on there literally selling PORN and no matter how many times it's reported they leave it up.
wtf? Time to get the cancel crew on Etsy's ass. This is not the first time I heard of this.
I was banned after 8 months and now they are holding my funds for 6 months. I was banned for selling feminine wash. almost every month they started deactivating my listings. I was being reported and BOOM they banned me.
Did you move to another platform?
I just opened my store 2 days ago, and it already got suspended. I’m still waiting for them to send me a email saying the reason. Probably will start my own website at this point.
I've been watching "why etsy closed my shop" videos this morning for my own channel, and this was the most balanced one I've heard.
omg so true, all the moms shopping on etsy have so many questions and get so belligerent mad when they dont read the description before purchasing
I was debating between an ETSY store and my own website-I think I've made my decision now. Thank you for sharing your experiences.
Have both
Its better to have your own site . In this way, thieves won't know which one is your best selling for them to rio off
@@neilgyverabangan6989 yea, but nobody got time for that. Alot of work for packaging 📦, shipping. It's time consuming
@@neilgyverabangan6989 easier to do digital .
The issue with your own website (as Zen W explains in one of his other Crafty Stax videos) is that "traffic is everything". He says it's no good having an amazing hamburger stand 🍔 in your own back garden if you're the only one who sets eyes on it 🤣 ua-cam.com/video/OTdFeTnlkhc/v-deo.html 0.59. Love that line, made me LOL .... Etsy's superpower is their traffic generation capabilities, which is why they can be so cocky and arbitrary with good people like our own honest, hard working Z Watercooler/C Stax. As a solopreneur, with your own website (or Shopify store) you have to generate your own traffic. You either pay for it (expensive and hard to master), or spend a lot of time and effort generating it (even harder to master). So, take a balanced view, don't just rush in.
For people who are confused: Copyright an trademark are two different things. They have a trademark on the phrase in that font used with the sun in that style, not on just the phrase. The problem is that etsy pulls it as soon as a formal complaint is issued, which means they dont really look into it, they just see an attorney's letterhead and take it down to avoid legal fees. They are siding with who has more money, they know small sellers cant fight back.
Quite right - they cannot copyright the phrase so the only option is trademark. To have a trademark it will have to be a single unique design. Legitimate businesses use trademarks to be uniquely identified. Sadly copyright as intellectual property is not adequately monitored to determine if entities are using this as a de facto copyright control by registering multiple trademarks.
so let's if we change sun to moon and the phrase to something else , but keep their style like half sun and text style , would they be able to issue a complaint to us?
Yes, they can if you don't register the design sooner than they do. What matters here is who registers the copyright and trademark for that design, regardless of whether they are the creator of that design or not.
“The ink ran and destroyed somebody’s life” 😂🤣
I love how you explain things. You have a very soothing voice and direct, coherent manner of communicating! Maybe you have a job in radio if the online sales drive you crazy! LOL. :) Nice video. Thanks.
We could end a lot of this system abuse by malicious sellers very easily. The company has to give you your accuser's real name and contact information. You have a right to know who your accuser is. They should not be allowed to make anonymous complaints because that is just asking for the system to be abused.
In fact, this should be for all sites. Because the endless accusations would come to a screeching halt if the accusers were forced to use their real name and give contact info.
💯💯💯
Etsy sucks, it's been going downhill for years
Thank you for sharing your experience. I have just started an Etsy shop so will take into account what you have said. Bottom line - If someone else owns the company, they have all the control. Etsy is a great start but the end goal should always be having your own store / website. Thanks again.
Makes sense. What are some of the ways to get your own website noticed? Is it ads and stuff?
@@busterboy7507 still new at this so taking it slow. Haven't looked into ads yet.
@@victoriavirgo All the best 🙏
@Victoria Virgo Same here! I just started my own website and its slow going at this point I'm researching for ways to drive traffic to my website.
Good call. Think of Etsy as advertising for your own site.
I had a short video with some rain in the background and someone was trying to tell me they had copywritten the sound of Rain like wtf
OMG..................bawwwwwwwwwwwwwwhahhahahha
You can NOT make this up.
I truly believe you Herr Nookenstien
I was going to start an etsy shop but thank you for sharing such horrific truths about this platform which I didn't know earlier. Thank you very much for your time you spent on making this video.
Great video, super informative couldn’t have found it at a better time we’re just about to start our candle business and thought about Etsy. P.S you should consider doing a podcast you’ve got the story telling skill.
I felt bad for what happened to you on Etsy. Thank you for sharing your experience and for giving us a heads up.
Thank you for being so open and to even be taking some time to tell these kind of things thoroughly. It’ll help people to rethink or BE prepared for whats coming for them in reality. I’ve been seeing a lot of “how to sell on etsy” videos, they really be telling only the good stuffs and doesn’t hit us the harsh truth
"They would never specify what it is that's the problem." "A robotic answer back." In other words their legal team raised you the virtual finger because you're a small fish.
You really nailed the problem with this lucid, well articulated video.
They have a giant machine and what are you going to do about it?
Sell everywhere, but have your own platform: it's called "going wide". The challenge, of course, is marketing.
I have heard other similar stories about Etsy. Thanks for sharing.
Etsy is a good site, but like many online platforms they are so arbitrary and non transparent about their online dealings. The better route is to utilize the space for what it's worth, with a keen eye on moving on to your own. Strategy is EVERYTHING!!
That was an awesome video. I have just started on this and needed to know the ugly side of it to protect myself.
Hi pretty lady. How you doing today 😘
I dont know if it helps. Ive started dating and signing my work as a result of this video. Im also going to keep the digital info of when I put them on computer as evidence. Possibly evidence of upload date.
I appreciate you taking the time to explain what happened to you. And I do think it’s terrible that these large platform selling sites are opaque when it comes to giving you the information you need to correct something if you’ve made a mistake, or someone makes a complaint. I hope you one day get your Etsy store back.
You mention opening up your own website/store for $50 a year. How would you recommend doing that? I’m sure others would love your views on that as well. Thanks for the great content.
“You Are My Sunshine” is a well known song title. I wasn’t aware that apparel stores could trademark song titles or lines of lyrics. Thanks for sharing your experience.
You are my sunshine is a copyrighted song, although I’m not sure if the copyright is still valid. Also you are my sunshine was copyrighted by Kelsey Murray in 2016 for use on clothing. You can check at uspto.gov
I’m m thinking maybe it’s the songwriter or the publishing company who holds the copyright to “You Are My Sunshine.” But they probably stopped bothering suing anyone ages ago over using that song title because it was used in popular culture so much. And as you may know, some numbskull copyrighted the “Happy Birthday” song, and last time I heard, no one can sing it in public performances without permission. Crazy.🤪
They didn't trademark it they were just claiming they did. People can apply to trademark anything but they have to show a reason. It seems like they meant copyright not trademark. Their shirt in that form was copyright as soon as they made it but "You Are My Sunshine" on it's own wouldn't have been copyright to them because in fact someone else had the trademark for that already based on the song.
I don’t think they really can. It’s such a shame. In this case I feel like the “owner” of that trademark may have trademarked to try to get “rich” off of others using it. I’d hope a judge would see right through that. :/
@@gurutruecrimeguru1405 Definitely. It’s such a shame that we have so many big robotic companies that can ban the business of smaller people based on one persons complaint, without substantial evidence. I’ve seen that happen on UA-cam to someone, and it’s happened to my boyfriend and I on TikTok, and on his EBay store. :( Somethings need to change.
The biggest problem with these POD websites is that they don't inform anyone (buyers & sellers) showing a legal serial code to ensure you're the artist who created that piece. I hope something happens soon.
i think all of them because they have all the ways to control you because your under their company, its better to just put up your own store where you have everything under your control.
Wow! This is such an awesome insight. Never knew those tings could happen when selling digital files on Etsy. Thank you for sharing your experience.
Thank you for the feedback Dennis, much appreciated! 🍻
Had exactly the same "we received a complaint, and heve removed your art" crap from Redbubble. I used my own photographs that contained a KLM plane. No logo visible even, but some lawfirm from the Netherlands made a complaint with RB. Aparently, using the KLM blue color is enough to get such a complaint. Protested, of course. But to no avail. Got a "permanent removal" notification a few weeks later.
2 months later: same thing with an Air Transat Airplane picture (this time the logo was visible). And I had even asked Air Transat Legal if I could use that specific photograph for comercial purposes (because of that loge; never got an anwer, though).
It's just not worth the fight, Im sorry to say.
I got news for the you are my sunshine, the design they are claiming as theirs is from the 1970's and was on a lot of t shirts!
I tried listing on Etsy before and my ID was requested. I was reluctant to submit my personal details. But for the sake of gaining access to the marketplace, I submitted my ID despite privacy and security risks. But it wasn't approved. No reason given. I can however buy on Etsy. Buying is fast and easy. But I cannot sell on Etsy. Since then I don't have a good impression of them.
Fantastic comprehensive video. I've been on etsy for 9 yrs, used to love it and do well with handmade items, but since the forced "free shipping" debarkle which I did not opt in to, the tragic cost increase of postage, the outrageous fees, the aweful customer service and the fact that etsy is now sadly flooded with cheap overseas garbage...I feel I can no longer compete and I know I've been pushed waaaay down in the search. My sales are sitting at zero and have been for some time. Etsy used to be a wonderful marketplace and ive loved my time there but I agree with all your points, somewhere things changed. And yes...other sites target you. I've even had scammers cut and paste my entire store and try to sell on another platform. I've considered the digital items realm but I feel most platforms are very over saturated these days. What do you do when you can't afford your own merchant site? Im stuck. Thanks for a great honest video 👍
Thank you for taking the time to write that feedback, I very much appreciate it!!
@@zainabmohammedlawan6401 scam
HELLO ! How can we make our own website? Any tips for hosting and payment method? THX
Or can you make a video about that? xd
Damn.. I have an etsy store with 250 sales (Start oct-2020) and i spend a lot of time on it... i'm really scared now :( I wish Etsy would do some real investigation work into these claims... they don't appreciate the amount of time it takes to run a successful store.
Sub'd and liked your vid - very eye-opening. I will be doing more trademark audits on my store as a double stitch moving forward - thank you so much again!
Absolutely - I am jealous! I loved selling on Etsy and their SEO is amazing. I wish you success!!
The part around @12:00 about people not knowing how to do basic computer functions is enough to deter me from ever selling digital products! I worked I.T. for over 10 years and I get how annoying this is!! grandma computer support......been there...done that.....I'm out. 😀😀
This is the most refreshing etsy extensive review I've heard all day, thank you!
This was very eye opening about how cutthroat and childish some people can be . Thank you for sharing your story. Very insiteful and useful information. Is very sad and infuriating that your shop was shut down. Just because if some whiny durfwad whos was threatned by your designs. I just started eith etsy and will be watchful.
This is why I am glad I am a supplier on Etsy. I sell beads and charms for jewelry making, sometimes I include my own jewelry designs, but a majority of my shop is resell. I just don't want to deal with petty people who think they own everything and they are the only ones allowed to sell things.
The problem with reselling is that it is forbiden on Etsy.
@@kudrah you are allowed to resell craft supplies such as beads and charms
@@ranaamache Only vintage. Not any craft supplies
@@kudrah yes, you can sell craft supplies.
That is why if I am gonna make a tee shirt design, I only use my drawings, not some words or sentences because I never know if it is from a famous song, speech or anything.
Plus you have the upside of customers liking your style (versus just pulling art or text from the internet). Great strategy 👍
I did sell only my original art works no copyright or trademark infringement and TeePublic permanently shut down my shop without saying the reason and answering my email. When I checked out what others sell there I had to laugh. Bernie Sanders sitting on his chair 2300 results😇 Definitely go with your website🤗
Great info. Sounds like someone chose to shoot you down with complaints.
@Zen Watercooloer If you wear a bikini someday, please post a picture :-)
the lady that asked to pick up files physically lol
I feel so sorry for what happened
anyway thanks for sharing your experience with Etsy and i wish for you the best
which alternatives do you suggest?
That's the experience I been talking about. You been there done it. You the man bro =)
It seems like if you're going to sell electronic files of graphic designs, or T-Shirts, you're better off creating the design yourself. Basically meaning you'd better be artistically and graphically inclined. That way you don't have to worry about getting banned from Etsy, you can easily dispute any copyright claims because YOU made the design, and you can go after anyone who steals the design if you so choose.
You are my sunshine is a very old song which I think is in the public domain. I don’t understand how anyone can claim it belongs to them.
A few days ago, I wanted to use a bible quote on something POD, thinking the same thing. Turns out that someone had actually used that phrase as the name of their business, and the quote was claimed due to that. Maybe it's some sort of situation like that?
I wonder how easy it is to send a copy-right claim against other stores? Could it be a strategy some shops would use, to remove at least some competition? I don't know how well it would work, but if there's no consequences of sending claims or flagging other shops, and they then would have to spend energy and time on dealing with it, why wouldn't some people not just do that.
You nailed it - I have no proof but I have thought exactly the same thing (just harrassing little stores into oblivion)
Sounds like a competitor may have reported you???
I borrowed several elements to create a unique design for a tshirt and saw my exact design being sold by a huge account. Kinda a bummer but stay the course.
That's real info. The behind the scenes of online business. Merci beaucoup.
the same thing happened to me, I was selling a lot of my products and doing really well, then they closed by store and banned me. They refused to give me a valid reason, they kept insisting my items were not handmade despite me showing them photos of the items being handmade, the raw materials etc. It makes no sense and they never explained anything properly. Horrible, evil, never ever going back.
I honestly wouldn't bother with a store that strikes you because you genuinely have to prove yourself innocent of infringement, when they aren't doing their own due diligence to fight of ludicrous claims. This sounds infinitely worse than UA-cams copyright striking.
After all the negative video
Happy I never started
I just want to sell medicinal plants
Sorry to hear about it... Did you start your own website after that? Maybe it was worth it to try :)
Thank you Zen for sharing your experiences. My time is precious so it is important to take part in experiences like this. My strategy gets better and better over time, which also becomes more valuable over time. I was going to start with Etsy but I give up and adjust my plan to something better and more independent. Thanks again!
Absolutely - I still sell on Etsy on occasion (technically my wife is selling, hopefully the POD Police don’t arrest me) but we certainly don’t invest a ton of time energy in it 🍻🍻
One more thing.. I’ve been with Zazzle for 13 years. It takes awhile to find your groove there or figure out your niche. Hang in there.
I Absolutely love your videos and voice.
I learn so much from this video.
So I uploaded my designs to Etsy, all that I created and guess what??? I'm suspended. Lol
Darnit welcome to the club!!
1000 sales in two years is such a small number.I'd expect like 39,000 minimum. The part where you said, "Can i come and pick up the files made me laugh so much."
A 1000 sales in two years is a nice bit of rainy day money or rent money
@@paulwoodford6229 Sure it's nice, but in the long run those are weak numbers. By the time they've made those 1000 sales on Etsy, they could've grown their own website to the point of making those 1000 sales each month. And built a brand, gathered returning customers, grown on social media. Stuff that's extremely hard to do on Etsy - most people come and go without paying much attention to the seller.
Had a friend that had prospects that were idiots, well the problem was solved by attracting the right kind of customer and it was really all about money. Tire kickers and cheaters let the be, just recognize who they are and force the issue- here is the purchase link and oh- get that email address that's it. Your automated system should do the selling and the link should get the sale if not- no more. that's is move on. You the real deal. Wow. two years that's about $250k. Multi people were reporting your store. If you do no know how to steal-because people were using the system against YOU! Lesson: Always have a backup system or business or businesses.
Etsy sounds absolutely ridiculous. If rules cannot be defined then they should not exist. Either defined it or get rid of it. There needs to be punishment for platforms that do arbitrary things. Period
OMG I had a copyright infringement emailed to me from Etsy for the exact same phrase. I managed to figure out the company that put it in against me also. This was in the UK and was for art prints. Again I searched for others and there was literally thousands. I had only made about 13 sales at that point lol. So they clearly weren't targeting the right stores at the time.
It's insane to me that someone can copyright a phrase that everyone uses in general conversation. Are they going to sue people for saying 'have a nice day' ? 🙄
Was the trademark you showed as a reference for "You Are My Sunshine" for appearal? As far as I understand, trademarks are applied for and to different types of products. Just because someone has a trademark it does not apply to all types of products i.e appearal verses papergoods. There is a way to look up more details of a trademark phrase that includes the exact type of product it is being used on. I can't remember the www site name but when I do I will come back and update this comment.
Thank You for this video. Will be a video any soon about Teepublic on why listings not showing up in the marketplace search?
It was super helpful video, thank you for sharing your experience.
You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. You make me happy, when skies are gray.
This is just nutty. I actually randomly saw an Etsy shop that consisted of a man posing with his... err body part that I as a female do not possess. Also, I’m of the generation who grew up with real music, so I was appalled to see my favorite singer, Carly Simon, superimposed on a naked woman’s body. She’s now in her 70s but I’m certain did not pose for that 40 years ago. That site did that to many celebrities without their permission. So I’m to understand that this travesty and outright porn is okay with them? Meanwhile they treat decent guys like crap. Note taken.
ETSY WAS HORRIBLE HOW THEY TREAT You!!!
Hey .... check out this popular phrase : ‘be kind.’.... trademarked by some chinese company on Feb 26th, 2021! (As well as ‘mom life’ trademarked in march 2021) ...... what a minefield..... :(
What?!?!?ugh!
@@tere1198 I know ....frustrating indeed 😔😔
I'm glad I'm not the only one who gets designs taken down and can't explain why. I'm sure it would be impossible to get a design removed if it was a big brand company who copied one of our designs.
IS it your original design? If it is, damn that sucks.. That's so frustrating that you're creating original artwork and then get banned one day.. The time wasted, omg.. I can't. :/
@@sexymary yeah it's frustrating but that's the risk unfortunately.
Thank you I REALLY appreciate the time you took to explain Esty. I am or was about to start my shop with Esty but just decided to go in another. Direction. What you have said is exactly what others are saying. Thank you again. Very informative video
You are most welcome Genia! Lots of options out there too. An idea that is pretty popular is to have a "real" store online (like your own website) and then have a small Etsy shop with a few designs and sales and a link to your real shop. Thank you for the feedback!
Your videos are so so so HONEST! Thank yo uso much for putting your heart and soul into these. It's so hard to find on youtube these days! Really appreciate it.
Do you still maje a good profit with the shipping cost
@@faithrn5267 that depends on your definition of "good profit". If I can make 6$ profit on one sale I am happy.
I found this vid really informative and helpful, thankyou. It is concerning to me that Printful can send out prints that are not even colourfast. I mean really, what the heck? Potentially ruinous to someone's POD business. Did you inform Printful about their mess up?
I did - to their credit, they replaced the shirt every time no problem.
This happened to me too. I had created a laser cut design that was similar to someone else's on Etsy. The injured party sent me an email saying that they had copyrighted the design as it was being copied and sold in various other shops. I also received an email from Etsy saying: "Etsy received a report of copyright infringement from XXXX alleging that certain content in your Etsy shop infringe their intellectual property. When a complaining party submits a report of alleged infringement that complies with our policies, we are required to remove the content cited in the report in accordance with our Intellectual Property Policy." They also slapped on a Payment Reserve which lasted around 3 months. What really got me though was that all other shops selling this same design had clearly not received the same notice as me as they had not been told to take them down. So to be fair, I did feel a bit picked on.
You certainly woke me up!! I was thinking it be really easy but it's not. I threw up a couple listings only so this is great to know before I get to deep. I'll certainly be more cautious now.
Do not sell on Etsy!!!!!!!! The company is very dishonest.
Hi Zen, watching as thinking to open an Etsy shop, as you know my RB acc was suspended..am on the-you are my sunshine- part..anger arises in me.I am 62 years young, my late mom called me in love expression, since 1960..YOU ARE MY SUNSHINE!..in English, and i am from Croatia..sooooo, what copyrights?????????? This is insane!!!!!--huuuuuuh..angry atm...
So Etsy got to use your money for 6 months, interest and such, that should be illegal. I started designing digital scrapbook paper to put on Etsy but after moving found that my new upload speed may not work, so I thought when I'm 65 I'll move and do it. Of course the idea used to be $10 a download and now it's swamped so they're more like $2 a download. I'm looking into something else to design that will sell. Sorry about your banning, I see so many Disney, Marvel, etc copyrighted stuff on there it seems no one is even monitoring them and you get the axe. Again Sorry.
Many thanks for this video, this channel and your other channel Crafty Stax. I am currently attending the 'University of True Life Experiences' (my nickname for your channels & videos). I have subscribed to a few, but you are the best by far. My aim is to become your most successful student ever. I owe this to you for your time, effort and beautifully balanced output. Thank you deeply. Pete...
To address one of the last items mentioned, having your own website. The big advantage to shops like Etsy and RB is they get a ton of traffic. You can build the best website with the coolest products but it will just sit there and do nothing for you if you don't have traffic it to it. Do you have a video that addresses that issue?
I'm wondering the same as you =(((((((( Etsy is a popular marketplace, so I don't know where else with huge traffics to sell...yeah Etsy suspended my account for no reason and I figured out they suspended accounts randomly...so I hate Etsy, Etsy is lame!
Front load with ad spend. FB ads primarily.
@@theblackharleyquinn7 thank you so much🤗😍
@@theblackharleyquinn7 ya I've tried all those things with promoting my art (not FB ads but rather post boosts) and the only result has been a loss of time and money. Marketing is just not my thing, I've learned to accept that.
50 bucks a year for your own e-commerce website? Where? Never seen one that does e-commerce for less than $20 and up per MONTH.
LaunchCart is free (you would integrate with Printful for example). I agree, most are at least $20 per month. Another option is to have a website (like just a website for $100 for 10 years, buy the domain name) and people would email you directly for orders. It's way more work but depending on the items, I've seen it work (high-end specialty prints for example).
@@zenwatercooler Good ideas, thank you!
This was very insightful. Thank you for sharing your experience. I used to sell on Amazon and you're right, the customer service aspect is a soul suck.
I'm a professional writer and I will tell you that you don't copyright images or logos. They are only involved in trademark. Trademark is a very big thing to businesses because it helps identify their brand so, more than likely, it is associated with someone's brand who felt your design will be confused with their brand.
I just sold an item that Etsy charged me all sorts of fees, including a marketing charge because I was paying for an ad on the item. Out of these fees, three of these charges are actually charging a percentage from the shipping cost. I'm not even using Etsy for the shipping part of it and they are profiting off the shipping charges close to $30, which dips into my profits. I cannot believe it. Thinking about contacting an attorney. This is so not right.
I had a copyright strike and with that 2 listings were deactivated so I went in and deactivated the rest under that category and a couple of days later I got another copyright strike for a listing I already had deactivate but sadly I was permanently banned and even though I appealed explaining this the generic automated email came back basically saying tough. I also had 2 other shops selling different things as well on Etsy and they were taken down also so be aware if you think it’s ok at least my other businesses on Etsy are ok just think again. Oh and quickly go in and disable automatic relistings cos Etsy are a bit sneaky they don’t tell you that they will still take your fees for those on auto relist. Stung me for some of my listings before I realised and my payments that I am owed by them I will have to wait 180 days before they will come to me. So if you have funds still waiting to come to you don’t change or close your registered bank account linked with Etsy or you will have more fun and games getting your money back. Just a heads up so you know.
What a pure faqing bullshit for trademarking words . lets trademark the alphabet ....
Well couldn’t you be on the boat with the bikini girls and answering questions?😂😂😂
I would hope that Etsy would change their policy by now on this matter.
What really irks me is all the mindless copycats who don't seem to have the ability to come up with their own T shirt sayings. As soon as I put something out there it is copied by these losers. They think because they use differnent font or add some crappy little design that they are OK and there doesn't seem to be anything I can do about it.
The market place would not be so cluttered if they kicked off and only the original authors were remainng
Copyright and trademark process is too costly for small time artists there should be another system to prove their ownership to solve this problem. This gave me an idea..how about an authentication process?
I used to sell on Mercari... the worst part is always dealing with people. People are so entitled and most expect 'mayor retailer' level of customer service. I was given a 1 out of 5 star rating from a guy because "Shipping was slow", even though he purchased the item on a Thursday night, I shipped Friday afternoon and USPS delivered on Monday! Mercari will never get involved and won't modify or delete these ratings either.
I feel your pain!! 😹😹😹
26:56 why should someone be able to own/trademark words just because they can afford $40k
there are songs 'you are my sunshine'
ua-cam.com/video/5TUzB2fBUpY/v-deo.html
So did you make the baseball design yourself or you kinda copied it from someone else's and slightly changed it? If that's the case then you are banned for a solid reason, but if it's not, then Etsy is really a joke.
Thanks for sharing your real life experiences.
I had someone tell UA-cam that I stole their music and I looked at their publishing date and my publishing date and mine was before they published their music. We both use the same music production app so we both had access to the same music elements. They took down their copyright strike
I love your energy and honesty
I used to have a small Etsy shop...very small , a couple of different times. Now I’m getting ready to sell my art and also getting my website ready. I’m just gonna sell on my website and use social media and other platforms as promotional venues. I think it’s good for almost every seller of almost any size to have their own website. So if some site is giving you crap you don’t deserve and you or them wanna end it...you still have your base and you’ll always be more or less protected from the whims and sometimes unfair or poorly explained practices of these huge mega platforms. But geesh, I woulda contacted the seller who made the copyright complaint against you. I would have wanted to know what why they were targeting me or thought they had the right to. That would have been worth some of my time.
Hi pretty lady. How are you doing today
Can I pick up the files?? 😂😂😂😂😂
Thank you for that, it made my day,
By the way, love your videos, thank you so much for sharing👍🙏
My gf had an etsy store about 4-5 years ago. Kind of the early days. She was doing fairly well hand making the product. But it was draining to keep up. She found a Chinese company making a very similar copy of her stuff and they were also selling on Etsy much cheaper. The goods were a copywritten product from a big name. She searched China and found the product and began buying direct. She was killing it and did about $150k profit in 10 months. Turns out the Chinese company she was buying from was her closest competitor. Fortunately I knew graphics and marketing so her listings looked killer and she was mopping the floor with the competition. Then one day she gets a copyright notice from the actual holder. I modified all the graphics and removed their logos and everything was renamed. Thought all was good but about 2 weeks later they removed her acct and banned her. She was devastated to say the least. Adding insult to injury, she had just purchased thousands more from China. It took a minute but she recovered. Got her own website up and started a Facebook page to help drive traffic. I give her credit, she didn't give up. Also, to the best of my knowledge many of the sellers selling the same exact products stayed up for a long time after. Maybe she was targeted because she was selling so much? I was going to start a POD etsy shop but have been hesitant because I don't want to pour time into something that will be shut down, attacked, and stolen from.
I totally agree about the POD concerns-ultimately the third party owns the platform and can do whatever they want (it is very annoying). It sounds like you could do really well with your own website since you know the listings and graphic design part of it. I appreciate you taking the time to tell your story, thank you!
Regarding "You are my sunshine..." The guy who wrote the song wrote it before copyright was a thing. He never got a cent. It's still not copyrightable. I'm not sure anyone can copyright or wordmark the phrase "You are my sunshine" because it was in the common parlance before copyright was a thing. It's like Katy Perry trying to copyright a chord progression. You may as well try to copyright Shakespearean phrases. "My mistress' eyes are nothing like the sun." Copyright in general doesn't protect short popular phrases. This was a bad faith deal on the part of the other seller. Yikes.
I just saw another ETSY seller who said that once she reached a certain amount of sales, she was forced to join ETSY's advertising program where they advertise for you, but they get 15% of the item you sell automatically - THAT ADDED to the 5% they usually charge, so they were getting 20% of the amount of each item she sold, so she left ETSY for that reason. Can you verify that ETSY takes 20% of each of your sales?
"You are my sunshine" is from an old song. So rivet is full of it. And one thing you have to understand about digital ANYTHING is that anything that can be digitally created can be digitally copied. Period.
But that happen also on Amazon, if you sell a product as arbitrage or private label always other seller said that you are sell their products.