Is Etsy Legal? (Should you shop there?)
Etsy has been around for a while and has a great reputation in the hobby/hobby community. Thousands of handmade items by makers and creatives are sold on Etsy. Whether it’s candles, jewelry, homemade clothing or handmade pottery, you’re sure to find them all on Etsy.
You can find more than just handmade items on Etsy. They also sell finished items like furniture, party decorations, electronics and even clothes! Etsy is a great place to find items, especially if you’re looking for something truly niche.
Having said that, is Etsy a safe and secure place to buy things? What interactions do other customers have with Etsy? Let’s find out together!
Is Etsy Legal?
yes! Etsy is a legitimate website where you can buy items online from suppliers. They have over a decade of experience in creating platforms for buyers and sellers.
Etsy also has a customer service center that operates 24/7. This makes things even easier as their live chat is also available 24/7. Etsy expects you to resolve disputes directly with the seller before submitting a ticket to the seller.
It’s important to fully understand what Etsy is before buying from its website. You’ll prevent mistakes like buying from the wrong seller or overpaying for a specific item. Let’s dig a little deeper.
What the hell is Etsy?
Etsy is an online platform that connects sellers and buyers from around the world, just like eBay. However, Etsy focuses more on homemade or vintage items with a specific target audience.
You’re sure to find many items on Etsy that you won’t find anywhere else. These things include 3D printed products or handmade supplies.
For buyers, Etsy’s interface is very similar to other e-commerce sites. All products provide customer reviews to verify their authenticity.
Talking to sellers is easy because they have a built-in chat feature that allows you to do so while viewing a product. Additional information such as delivery and return policies are also stated on the product page.
This makes it easier and safer for buyers to make purchases, as Etsy has always worked to increase transparency between buyers and sellers.
Here’s an example of the information you might expect to find when shopping on Etsy.
Who can sell on Etsy?
Anyone can set up a store on Etsy as their Seller Verification Process easy to understand. Etsy allows you to choose store preferences, such as store language, store country, and even store currency.
This allows sellers to narrow down their target audience and give their store a more personalized feel. For just 20 cents, create a product listing that will stay in your store for four months. This results in a total cost of only 60 cents per listing throughout the year.
One of the downsides of Easy Selling on Etsy is that your marketplace is vulnerable to scammers. Etsy has examples of fake shops and people being scammed.
However, Etsy has been proactive in taking action against these sellers. It’s less common to find inauthentic sellers and stores on Etsy these days. Even the small price of a single listing creates a commitment barrier for sellers.
Sellers must actively maintain their stores to ensure that all of their items are functioning properly. Yes, scammers are still able to do this, but it reduces the likelihood that counterfeit stores will pop up frequently.
How can I tell if a seller is safe on Etsy?
There are several ways to make sure the seller you’re buying from is safe. Here are some major things to note:
- Check product and store reviews
- Check sales quantity
- Check seller profile
- Check when the store was last updated
- View other products sold by the seller
- Ask the seller specific questions
- See seller’s return policy
The first thing you do when deciding to buy from a store is to check their product and store reviews. Previous customers tend to leave feedback if their experience was very good or very bad. You should be able to spot any red flags in the comments.
Second, the number of sales only matters if the seller doesn’t sell anything. If a store doesn’t sell anything and the store hasn’t been updated recently, that’s a huge red flag. Checking the store’s last update date is a good indicator of how often your store is being maintained.
Third, looking at the seller’s profile can fully explain the seller’s intentions. If they don’t have a written description of what they do or who they are, they usually know not to do business with that store.
Fourth, looking at other products the seller sells may help determine if the seller is safe. If a product’s ratings and reviews look good, but not on other products, it’s wise to contact the seller to find out why.
Finally, asking sellers specific questions about your products or their policies will give you a better understanding of how your store works. Scammers often don’t have a lot of specific information about their products or return policies.
in conclusion
Etsy is a great place to buy vintage or handmade gifts for your loved ones. They have over 4000 sellers to choose from and can ship internationally! It’s a safe marketplace that brings buyers and sellers together.
Their 24/7 customer service also ensures that any issues are dealt with promptly. They also have a live chat feature where you can speak to one of their customer service representatives if you have a problem.
Remember to use your best judgment when buying from Etsy, as some stores are shady and don’t have the right information out there. Contact the seller for your safety before making a purchase decision.
Will you be shopping on Etsy anytime soon? Let us know your experience in the comments below!
