? about selling on Etsy

[squabbles]

I've been thinking of selling my stuff on Etsy, but have so questions about it:

1) is it expensive and do they charge you all of these little fees like Ebay does?

2) Is it easy to set up a store there?

3) Is there any other paying options besides Paypal that customers can use to purchase something from you?

4) How long is your stuff listed on there? ie- do the listings expire or do they come off once sold or you take them off?

TIA for all of your help with this. I'm nervous to start on there but see that there is a lot of traffic to the site. I know that I've purchased before!

[jesseka]

I have an etsy shop and am very happy with it. I've answered your questions below in blue. If I am incorrect with anything, hopefully someone will correct me, as I am still fairly new.

1) is it expensive and do they charge you all of these little fees like Ebay does? No, it is not too expensive. It costs 20 cents to list something and then you pay 3.5% sales fee to etsy when the item sells.
Here is a link for more info on fees:
http://www.etsy.com/fees.phpYou also pay fees to Paypal if that is the method of payment

2) Is it easy to set up a store there? It is pretty easy, but takes a little time. Someone has recommended Greasemonkey application by etsyhacks.com which is used with Firefox browser. You can copy and edit listings very quickly with this. You should be able to find more info about this by searching the previous posts.

3) Is there any other paying options besides Paypal that customers can use to purchase something from you? Yes, you can choose to accept checks or money orders in addition to using Paypal.

4) How long is your stuff listed on there? ie- do the listings expire or do they come off once sold or you take them off? Listings are for 4 months, but it is easy to re-list if something expires or sells.

TIA for all of your help with this. I'm nervous to start on there but see that there is a lot of traffic to the site. I know that I've purchased before![/QUOTE]

The best advice I've heard is that you have to list often to keep yourself current in the searches. Also, learn to take good photos. I am still working on these myself.

Hope this helps!

[Wendy]

Jessica answered everthing! I just have a few tips to add.

As far as payment options, you can use anything you want, but paypal is the only one that is integrated into Etsy. Some people use Google Checkout, and some other stuff, but the buyer has to select "other" as the payment type (You set that up in your options) and then you send the invoice.

Don't list everything you have on day 1!!!!! Start with just maybe 3 items day one, then add 2 or 3 everyday for a few days, then depending on your inventory, add a new one everyday or renew something everyday for awhile. This can get costly if you aren't careful, but think of it as your advertising costs, because by renewing or listing new items you get your items higher up in the search results.

And I totally agree about the good pictures! If you don't have good pictures yet, don't bother setting up the store. Spend time on that first!!!

Once set up, do not expect the sales to come, you need to promote promote promote!!! On and Off Etsy. On Etsy go to the forums and chat rooms and spend some time there each day to get yourself seen. Ask for a critique in the critiques section, Answer questions in site help, add your input to business topics, don't waste tooo much time in the promotions section but give it a try, and whereever else you can add something relevant.

Good luck!

[squabbles]

Wow! Thanks you 2!

I'm glad I asked. I've done Ebay before with good luck. But with everyone talking about Etsy, I figured I would try that out. I know that there are a lot of people that are very successfull at selling on there. I look at everyone's listings and am just stuck with what to do. Thanks so much for answering my questions!

[alondra]

Thanks for this post and the replies. It answered a lot of the questions I had too!!!

[rubytuesday84]

Thanks, this is all helpful since I am thinking about an Etsy store

[firedancer201]

This was very helpful! Thanks girls!

[addis mom]

Yes..thanks for asking and replying!! I am wanting to start my own business, but not sure where to start. This advice has been very helpful!

[shalini]

this surely answered a few of my questions

[shay0622]

Great info!! thanks for asking and answering =)

[vmommy]

I have an etsy shop, but never thought about going into their forums...thanks for the tip!

[hiltonclan4]

Awesome question. I was wondering the exact same things. I didn't even realize that Etsy had a chat/forum.

[jillsmom]

What great info! Thanks for sharing! I have often wondered about selling on Etsy!

[momtotwins]

Thanks so much for the advice. I am about to start selling on etsy too.