If you have an Etsy shop...

MrsHughesNC

Explain to me how it works. I'm clueless--it looks like you have a pay a small fee for every item you list, as well as 3.5% of the selling price. If you sell things that are relatively inexpensive, do you find it's worthwhile?

What do you use to determine shipping costs? Can you charge what you want (within reason) for shipping? Like if I were to make a small felt applique, I'm sure it would fit in a regular envelope, with a regular stamp. But I know I've ordered things like that before, and I'll usually pay $1 or more for shipping for it. How is that regulated?

Also, I've paid for things with paypal many times. But how do you collect funds received via paypal? Do you link it to your bank account? Does paypal send you a check?

Clearly, I'm clueless. :-) Just want to make sure this would even be worth my while. Most of what I'd sell would probably be less than $10.

TIA!

I'm tinkering with the idea of openeing a shop (actually, I already have, just don't have anything listed yet!)

Mrs.LLG

I don't have an esty shop but I do use PayPal a lot. Being a seller is sort of like the reverse of being a buyer and using it. You link your bank acct. and your funds can be transfered into your acct. or you can use your funds to make purchases from vendors who accept PayPal.

 My 2 cents on the 3.5% fee Etsy would take is that that's not a lot. 35 cents on a $10 item. You could either accept that you are only getting $9.65 for the item you sell or if you really want that 35 cents you can add it back into the cost of the item until you are getting exactly $10.

 Not sure how shipping works.... 

erin_aaronsbaby

What are you gonna be selling, Hughes?? I LOVE Etsy!

MrsHughesNC

erin_aaronsbaby:

What are you gonna be selling, Hughes?? I LOVE Etsy!

Felt stuff! Probably felt food, hair clips, appliques (like the YGG one in my siggy), etc.

erin_aaronsbaby

Sweet!

Ruthgers

MrsHughesNC:

Explain to me how it works. I'm clueless--it looks like you have a pay a small fee for every item you list, as well as 3.5% of the selling price. If you sell things that are relatively inexpensive, do you find it's worthwhile?

I have an Etsy shop; however, I have temporarily closed my business because I have zero time to work on anything with DS; I also did art and craft shows.  Once he's older I'll open it up again.  In the meantime I marked everything down to clean out the shop.  Anyway, the 3.5% fee is only collected by Etsy when an item sells.  It costs 20 cents to list an item (or renew it) regardless of whether an item sells or not.  You have an "Etsy bill" that you pay once a month which includes the listings fees and the fees for sold items.  You can pay that via credit card or PayPal.  I have never found the fees to be a bother and the cost of my work ranged from $400 to $12.

I did find selling on Etsy worthwhile, but since I had a business I put a lot of time into it.  I blogged, spent time in the forums, have a Facebook page, spent money on advertising, renewed items daily to keep them at the top of the search, etc.  The biggest thing is that you MUST have great pictures; your work could look awesome in person but if the picture is only so-so I guarantee you that a customer will pass it by.

What do you use to determine shipping costs? Can you charge what you want (within reason) for shipping? Like if I were to make a small felt applique, I'm sure it would fit in a regular envelope, with a regular stamp. But I know I've ordered things like that before, and I'll usually pay $1 or more for shipping for it. How is that regulated?

Basically you can charge whatever you want for shipping; it is not regulated.  I bought a postal scale from Walmart and shipped First Class mail.  You can ship small items through PayPal, print labels from them, and put them in your mail box so you don't have to go to the post office.  I based my shipping costs on how much it actually cost to ship the item, and included a little extra for shipping materials.  Example: Say it costs $1.78 to ship a 2 ounce package but I charge $2.

Also, I've paid for things with paypal many times. But how do you collect funds received via paypal? Do you link it to your bank account? Does paypal send you a check?

You can link PayPal to your bank account and transfer money you earn from PayPal to your bank account without any fees.  PayPal does take a small fee for money you earn though, however, I can't remember what it is right now.  

Clearly, I'm clueless. :-) Just want to make sure this would even be worth my while. Most of what I'd sell would probably be less than $10.

TIA!

I'm tinkering with the idea of openeing a shop (actually, I already have, just don't have anything listed yet!)

If you want to take a look at my shop as an example, let me know and I'll post the link.  Overall, I love selling on Etsy and plan to dive back into it full-time eventually once DS lets me.  However, I made more money selling locally at art and craft shows and through word of mouth than I did on Etsy.  I've sold upwards of $1000 worth of work in one day at an art and craft show before.  Sigh.  I miss it, but DS is worth it.   

MrsHughesNC

Thanks, Ruthgers! I'd love to see your shop, if you don't mind!

jenhum

I know nothing about running an etsy shop, but I have to say I think it's a great idea- you are so crafty and talented! I better be on the list when you send out a link to your store .

Also, I just happen to know a photographer that works for felt YGG characters if you ever need pictures for your site :P.

MrsHughesNC

jenhum:

I know nothing about running an etsy shop, but I have to say I think it's a great idea- you are so crafty and talented! I better be on the list when you send out a link to your store .

Also, I just happen to know a photographer that works for felt YGG characters if you ever need pictures for your site :P.

Thank you! I'm sure if I every actually get it up and running, you'll be one of the first to know!

Don't you worry... I might have some plans brewing for a certain Plex fan already.

Ruthgers

MrsHughesNC:

Thanks, Ruthgers! I'd love to see your shop, if you don't mind!

You're welcome!  https://www.etsy.com/shop/AlloverArt 

I have another shop for my oil and acrylic paintings but there's nothing in it right now and I put it on vacation mode.

 I think you should go for it.  There's very little monetary investment in opening an Etsy shop; plus it's fun.    GL!

MrsHughesNC

Ruthgers:

MrsHughesNC:

Thanks, Ruthgers! I'd love to see your shop, if you don't mind!

You're welcome!  https://www.etsy.com/shop/AlloverArt 

I have another shop for my oil and acrylic paintings but there's nothing in it right now and I put it on vacation mode.

 I think you should go for it.  There's very little monetary investment in opening an Etsy shop; plus it's fun.    GL!

Thanks! Very cool jewelry! I'm impressed! :-)