overpriced etsy

oh I agree, I love using handcrafted beads in my jewelry, but sometimes they charge wayyy too much

Etsy is super expensive, that's why I barely buy from there. Though, if its an intricate thing, it should be priced, well, not so affordable. But, $183 for cotton shorts is asinine.

I don't know how I feel about this.... I agree that thinsg should not be too over priced but like Heather C. said people can't under price themselves either. I mean the point of having a store IS to make some money. I think that because of mass production and mass consumerism a lot of folks think they should be able to buy any shirt for $10 and a pair of pants for $20. We are living in a disposable culture where it is actually more economical to buy a new TV than to get the thing repaired. That is totally stupid! I don't mean to go on a rant about this but for instance - a cheap sewing machine can be bought for $120. The servicing (which should be done yearly if not twice yearly for a machine that is used OFTEN) costs $60. So rather than pay for the servicing or the repair if it breaks down you can just buy a new one. Shame on us as a culture.
When I make something I put time and effort and love into it. I don't want to sell an item that took 2 hours to make for $10! Minus the cost of supplies I am making less than $3 an hour. That is insane. Also I think you have to factor in the time it takes to package the item, converse with the buyer and set up terms, go to the post and ship the item. Would you be willing to do all of those thinsg for $5?
It seems to be a pretty heated topic... I do believe that there are some highly ridiculous and useless over priced items on etsy. But I also think that there are some honest talented creative people who don't feel that they should have to sell themselves short. If the dress costs too much - save your money, ask for a payment plan (some etsy sellers do this) or just don't buy it at all.
I would be willing to pay double for something that has been handmade as oppossed to a sweatshop mass produced item. #1 I don't want to support a system that exploits people and #2 (it may sound hokey) but handmade items bring a part of the maker into your home and seem more special. I appreciate these items so much more. They seem to bring joy - the same way anything that I make brings me joy.
Anywho.. I hope this hasn`t turned into too long of a rant.... ;) forgive me for that

PS. The $183 is WAY overpriced, I agree with you there for sure.

One person told me that the reason they price their stuff so high on Etsy is because that's what their career is. It's the only way they're bringing in money right now. *le sigh* Well they're going to be in the poor house faster if no one buys their "$200 mini skirt" with fabric from Wal-Mart.

If anything, I really hate it when people overprice something and say "It's one of a kind, never to be made again", and then they come out with the same item again (color and all) just because it sold well.

etsy aims at an angle of ooooh look at us where handmade and where unique butttt hellooo ! ebay jewellery sellers and makers are just as unique but they dont hide under a fancy name . I made up my own rule called the crafters creed. dont buy anything you know you could make yourself .

I guess I never really thought of it that way as a whole, Hannah. Usually that's the reason I end up not buying something... but it would probably save me a lot of time deciding if I just had that thought in my head before I start shopping haha

yeh i mean clothing , is different unless its uber easy, I cant crotchet , I suck at paterns, but when i see jewellery its like, no way am I paying that ill make it at home from clay. I made up the crafters creed because my mates keep saying do you really make all these things , or do you just think you could make em. I mean i have a thing about jewellery ! but i do like some stuff on etsy some stuff is really amazing but some stuff is just crap that they brand hand crafted and unique and a one off , but deep down you know thats its just a label, and anything you make is handcrafted ! so i follow the creed as much as I can and heck it saves me a tonne of dosh

Pff, If somebody is willing to pay that much money I would do the same.

Wow.... Umm...

Actually.. I bit my tongue, but it hurt and now I'm ill.. Your projects are nice but your attitude isn't and I wouldn't buy anything from you after reading what you just wrote... Sorry.

I kind of have to agree. I certainly understand that this is how you make your living...You're a business owner, and as such you have to do what needs to done to take care of your overhead.

Unfortunately, beads are a crafter's medium, and most crafters I know aren't rich...Because materials are expensive, and TIME is valuable. Just 3 beads would be nearly $100...That means I'd have to charge a crazy amount for a simple pair of earrings, then no one would buy.

We all have to cut costs where we can. I'm not going to jeopardize making a car payment because I "just have to have this awesome hand-made item". I would rather "make it myself". That's the point of being a crafter.

I saw these stuffed toys big enough to fit in the palm of your hand, made out of $.30 a sheet felt. She was charging upwards of $300 for each one. I think THIS is the kind of stuff people are talking about being overpriced.

Anyways, those type of items aren't really geared towards people like us anyways. These crafters KNOW we can make it ourselves, but they hope that someone who can't might see it and think that it's unusually special because it's so expensive.

I agree about the overpricing on Etsy, but with the time of the recession it is very difficult for some to just cough up the 200 bucks for a necklace when ppl need that to put food on the table. I understand most ppl uses it as a outlet for their career choice and more power to them if and when ppl purchase their high quality item.

But for me I have my etsy to help purchase craft supplies and even use it to take my daughters out or buy them treats since money is tight right now. For me this is a hobby a fun hobby, that I enjoy doing since it is my therapy and keeping me somewhat sane.

I support my fellow crafters here with their shops if they are within my price range and they do the same for me and I appreciate it.

I am sure no one was attacking directly at those who "over price" their items because some items seem to take alot of time and care in the works.

I just don't like seeing something so cheaply made andpriced so crazy.

Anywho back to my yummy cup of coffee to de-zombie-fy myself.

Peace*

Just light hearted but... next time I sell my fairycakes (cupcakes) should I factor in the cost of my new oven? It would make them about £40 each. With a business it's about timeplanning the recoup of large expenditures- if the large expenditure means, with the quantities being made/spent, there will be a massive price hike and people won't pay- well, then they won't pay and the seller loses money. Most businesses are set up on loans/savings and don't 'turn a profit' for the first 1-3 financial years. It's the same with most self-employed people (been there, done that)- in popular/creative industries like theatre, grassroots journalism and writing you may even have to work for free 'on spec' that you'll get paid next time IF they like you.

With Etsy I sometimes wonder if some folk are inexperienced about that kind of thing and operate to a 'gotta pay for the sewing machine I bought on my credit card NOW- I'm a 'designer'/'artist'/artisan' so I can charge xyz and people will pay!'. Sadly they get disappointed, because in the real world of the free market, people won't and don't pay more than they have to. If they were to plan on factoring in £1 of that sewing machine into each item over a year, ensuring sales through researching what rivals are charging and never rising far above that, then it would probably result in a longer-term business.

With longer-term planning, effective cost management is essential. If their fuel and sewing machine mean they are charging much more than the usual price (made in a similar way in the same economy- in this case Etsy/American hand-crafted) for that product...well, they need produce more. If that isn't possible there is no recourse for getting angry or annoyed; the product and production methods are not turning a profit because they cost too much per item to make (compared to similar items on the market). The moment the item goes on Etsy or Ebay the seller is declaring they are selling- there is no moral obligation for people to 'support' them, they are not a charity. Right or wrong, those are the rules of the game they have chosen to play. If they were working in a collective or community, or to a set order for a retailer, then the rules would be different- but the simplest looking way of selling (online marketplace) also has the least comunity cohesian (in the literal 'my local town' way) and is able to be cutthroat because there are people there who can charge less because 9for example) it's a hobby and they are well off, or they just don't charge enough, or they are just dabbling and if it doesn't sell they aren't annoyed. The stakes are different for every seller, making it harder to 'get a feel for the market' and adjust prices/'sell'/take calculated risks- albeit with lower overheads and less commitment- than (for example) a real-life market in a local town.

The skills v product debate is another thing entirely. A plumber's skill IS his/her product so , whereas historically someone selling an object charges for the object's materials and less so for hours worked. It is different with employees working set hours or if a piece is commissioned from a specific person. But unfortunately, the market decides how it is done so whoever charges least for the best product wins.

Wow this debate is getting really heated now!!

I can sort of understand both sides of the arguement.

Jennifer I understand that all the courses and tools and stuff cost you a lot of money, but the most important and first thing they taught me in business was that when you are setting up you are going to have large outgoings and that at least your first year you will not be in profit because of this. As frustrating as it is, it doesn't mean anyone can charge more, well technically you can, but it rarely draws customers to you if they can find a cheaper substitue. Especially in tough times where disposable income is at an all time low.

I have just finished my Uni degree and it cost me about £18,000. If I was to set up my own business, I wouldn't be charging extra to cover the cost of my training, it doesn't work that way. It's an indirect cost of the product.

Now I do agree with charging the price of the product with DIRECT costs, which would include the materials used to actually make the product and the time it took to make it and posting costs (although you usually put a seperate price down for how much it would cost for P&P?!?!).

I personally wouldn't pay anything too extortionate and yes unfortunatly we are a very disposable society now, it's hard to compete against that, especially now with the existence of shops like Primark etc. However I would be willing to pay something that has some good quality too it. Obviously most people are happy to pay for cheap things, but I wouldn't mind paying a few £££ extra if I knew the quality is at least fair. BUT I would be pissed if people were trying to undercut my prices.

Like someone else said, Business is to make profit, wat profit is someone making by setting their prices lower then the direct cost of the product??