Breaking Up is Hard To Do

It is with a heavy heart that I must say that my love affair with Etsy is somewhat over. I'm not closing up shop (well, not yet anyway), but I am going to give it a go on my own. I'm going to open my own shopfront with Big Cartel! I will keep everyone posted that's for sure.

I'll tell you what started me thinking on all this. I have loved Etsy for a long time, almost to a level of an unhealthy obsession. And I suppose, like many bad relationships, this one ends in betrayal. Ha ha, very dramatic, I know. I'm just trying to illustrate my point. A few days ago, an Etsy Admin inadvertently (or irresponsibly) picked a Reseller for the Front Page. Those of you unfamiliar with "Reseller," in Etsy-speak it means: one who sells mass-produced products (not supplies), which are not allowed on Etsy. And I just could not believe my eyes: I mean talk about feeling betrayed, outraged and hurt. It was extremely obvious to me that the item posted on the FP (as the rest of the items in this shop) were mass-manufactured. How anyone could not see that, I don't know.

Anyway, I started a well-meaning thread, trying not to call out. Apparently no one else could see what I was talking about and someone suggested I was sending people on a wild goose chase. So I called out. Another seller even posted a link to a website selling these mass manufactured goods.

But boy oh boy! I named the Reseller (directly identifying another party in a negative way is "calling out" and is against Etsy TOU.) And I really didn't mean to start a shitstorm, but basically the majority of people didn't care there was a Reseller jeopardizing the integrity of the site--Etsy, Your Place for All Things Handmade. They cared that I broke a rule, and boy did they let me have it!

I mean really, people? You're admonishing me for calling out a Reseller. Aren't you all more concerened that mass-produced goods are not only prevalent on Etsy, but now being promoted to the FP by its own staff?

Apparently, that doesn't matter. All that matters is that I "called out." I thought this was a community of independent artists, crafters, and artisans supporting and promoting one another. I was very seriously mistaken. I started the thread because I believe the integrity of the site is at stake when mass produced goods are carelessly promoted to the spotlight. Are mass produced goods allowed now, but only if they are cute?

So this was two days ago. Today it seems Etsy has taken action on the offending shop--it's empty. But of course that could also be because it's sales shot up after being on the FP. They also eliminated another Reseller I included in my email that was selling Chinese Lanterns, also known as China Balls. I had previously flagged and emailed abuse at Etsy about this shop (and many others in violation!) to absolutely NO avail. Seems once I had called enough attention to myself and the "called out" seller, they actually took notice of my email about other abusers. Or so it seems to me at least.

I started a new thread today (big mistake, I must be a glutton for punishment). I thought very long and hard about what I was going to write, and I thought I explained myself well. I stated that a Reseller had been shut down due to calling out, and that perhaps in the future, before jumping down one another's throat, we should be more concerned with the fact that Resellers are running rampant.

The gist of my statement was this:

"I'm just sorry I had to call out to bring your attention to it. But since someone in ADMIN put it on the FP in the first place, it was necessary. Now I realize everyone is human and makes mistakes. BUT, Admin has a responsibility to keep the integrity of this site in place. Putting an item on the FP, then tweeting about it without first verifying its authenticity as handmade shows a lack of responsibilty. Or maybe just a disregard for the integrity of etsy?"

Well, some more mean spirited and narrow minded Etsians sure let me have it. I didn't realize that adults could behave in such petty and nasty ways. Really a bunch of Etsy do-gooders afraid to question authority and vilifying me for doing so. I guess not only did I call out a Reseller, but I also "called out" Etsy in a sense, as they are the ones who posted this item to the FP (as well as 'tweeted' or 'twittered' about it!), in blatant disregard to their own rules! And it seems many people are pissed off that I called Etsy out on their shit. Is this a community I really want to be a part of?

I'm sorry to have rambled, and for perhaps coming off a bit crass. I just think this is still an important issue. People may throw eggs at me, or blacklist me, or hate me for it. But you know what, it won't be the first time and I'm sure it won't be the last. At least I know I have good intentions, and that I'm right, dammit! It's not about my shop, or ten shops, or a hundred. But it's about all the shops, and buyers and sellers on Etsy who are there to support handmade. Or was that handmade, and also mass produced if it's cute?

I would love to hear your thoughts on this topic!