Top 5 Ways to Shop Smart on Etsy
As an Etsy seller, I spend a lot of time browsing through Etsy shops, forums and treasuries. Like many sellers, I’m also an avid Etsy buyer. Here are a few things I’ve learned from experience.
# 5 Don’t trust labels and tags.
Like so many other things on the Internet, Etsy is an honor system. No one goes through and vets products before (or after) they are listed. Just because an item is marked “vintage”, “handmade” or “supplies” doesn’t necessarily mean that it is any (or all) of those things. Likewise, something tagged with “children” doesn’t mean it was made to any safety standard or should be given to small kids. Retain a healthy bit of skepticism when it comes to categorization; the labels are guides, not law.
# 4 Remember to read the fine print.
Etsy is inherently visual. We fall in love immediately with those gorgeous photos of items on the home page, but can fall out of love when the item arrives and looks nothing like what we imagined. Keep in mind that you’re buying the object, not the picture. That means taking the time to read all of the accompanying notes. How big is it? Looks can be deceiving. How will it ship? That gift box may not be included. How many do I get? What’s pictured may be a set, but the listing could be for a single item. Taking the time to read the seller’s notes can prevent surprises. If there are no notes or something is unclear, convo the seller or shop elsewhere.
# 3 Think about the total sale price before you get to the checkout.
No matter how excited you get looking at a listing, be sure that you think about your total cost before committing to buy. Some sellers include free shipping, but most do not. Be sure you look at shipping costs and terms. You’d hate to think that perfect gift will arrive in time for a special occasion, only to find out that it shipped ground and won’t be there until next week. Also, look for deals: some sellers offer discounts on shipping if you buy more than one item from their shop.
# 2 Take a few minutes to get to know the seller.
When you buy from an Etsy seller, keep in mind that you’re buying from the seller, not Etsy. Buying on Etsy is like buying at a craft fair or flea market; you can’t complain to the event company if an individual seller rips you off. The vast majority of Etsy sellers are reputable, and many go far above and beyond the customer service you’d expect from a retail store. But because you aren’t buying from a well-known retailer, it’s worth taking a few minutes to review feedback and ratings from other customers, look at how many past sales have been successfully transacted, and look at the seller’s other shops if they have them. This should give you a better picture of what the seller is like. Still not convinced? Check the forums or even hit Google to see if you can find more info. If this still doesn’t give you a feeling of trust, better move on.
and the #1 thing to remember….Always comparison shop!
My biggest shopping regret is always finding out that I could have gotten a better deal if I had done my homework. Avoid this buyer’s remorse by looking around for a bargain. Just because you think you’ve found that unique, one-of-a-kind item (especially when it comes to vintage items and supplies), it’s not worth abandoning your comparison shopping sense. Do a quick Etsy search to be sure that there aren’t other (better, cheaper) items out there that might meet your needs. Didn’t find anything? Maybe it’s worth Googling or looking through eBay. I’ve found both vintage items and supplies for less by simply comparison shopping.
Hope these tips help you become a more savvy Etsy buyer. 
