Etsy Sellers Request for Change

Etsy sellers have released a 5 and a half minute video on YouTube asking Etsy to make changes to policies and practices that have been hurting them as sellers and their ability to make a living selling on the platform. According to the video comments, “This is a call to action, for those who are ready for change on Etsy. For better customer support, transparency about the payment reserve system, and rampant wrongful suspensions and listing deactivation.” According to the Etsy help page, “Etsy connects people looking for unique goods with independent sellers around the world. When you shop on Etsy.com, you can choose from millions of handmade, vintage, and craft supply items created and curated by millions of independent sellers.” Since independent sellers are the bread and butter, the heart, of the Etsy business model, it begs to ask why the sellers are hurt financially by the platform in recent times. A BBC report states, “A reserve system meant some sellers had 75% of their takings frozen for 45 days, leaving them struggling to trade.” And in the video it is highlighted that Etsy sellers lose income by false claims of non-delivery when, according to geo tracking systems, the delivery was made to the residence of the buyer. At the beginning of August, a call was made for a strike or boycott of Etsy. This would mean that sellers would put their stores in holiday mode, so anyone would be unable to buy from them. Here is the video: