Is Etsy Legitimate and Safe for Shoppers?
Written by
Caitlyn Moorhead
Edited by
Melanie Grafil
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The world of handmade crafts is more than just a pastime now. You can not only find unique and vintage items from all over the world to buy as gifts, but also if you are a creator you can sell your items on the same online marketplace. Before you decide on which are the best e-commerce shops to peruse, make sure you find one you trust.
Read: How To Get Cash Back on Your Everyday Purchases
Quick Take: Is Etsy Legitimate?
Though it sells almost everything at this point, Etsy is a well-known and trusted marketplace that focuses on vintage or handmade items. Here are a few key takeaways about what you should know before you shop, or decide to set up shop:
- Etsy has no physical stores and is only a global online marketplace via its site or app.
- Etsy specializes in being a great spot to buy gifts. You could even get someone an Etsy gift card so they can find the perfect one-of-a-kind gift for themselves.
- You can find everything from vintage clothing, jewelry, handmade crafts, home décor and more.
- Etsy, Inc. is a publicly traded company and has a multi-billion dollar estimated worth.
- Etsy was designed with independent makers and sellers in mind and has millions of products and vendors which is great for both buyers and sellers.
- Be aware that sellers set their own prices so watch out for steep markups.
- There is buyer protection for you through Etsy support where you can either contact the seller or open a case with Etsy to resolve any issue with your product or Etsy payments.
- Etsy messages are a messaging system where buyers and sellers can reach one another to discuss customization or issues through the platform without having to give any personal information.
Are There Pros and Cons to Etsy?
There are some pros and cons to consider when you’re buying or selling on Etsy. Take a look at the lists below.
Pros
- If there is something wrong with your order, such as it arrives damaged or you do not receive it, you can open a case with Etsy customer service to resolve the issue in a timely manner.
- For Etsy sellers, it is easy to set up and maintain an account.
- Etsy has a large built-in audience of buyers and sellers which gives the online marketplace a wide selection if you are looking to buy an item or sell one.
- Esty is an established and trusted platform with a highly secure system that protects your payment methods and credit card information
Cons
- If you are starting an e-commerce business, your customers don’t recognize your brand but rather associate you only with Etsy brand loyalty.
- The fees Etsy charges can add up and really eat into your profit margin.
- Not everything is handmade, which is a large assumption, but anyone can compete for your sales with a variety of handmade, store-bought or manufactured items.
- You ultimately can’t control your page on Etsy, as it is the marketplace’s site and not your own personal website.
Final Take To GO: Is It Safe to Buy on Etsy?
Etsy is one of the world’s largest and most trusted online marketplaces where you can buy unique handmade items, or sell your creations. It is a legitimate company that takes great measures for security to protect your personal information as well as your bank account or credit card information.
FAQ
- Is it safe to buy on Etsy?
- Yes, Etsy is safe. As long as you conduct your transactions through Etsy payments and don't contact the seller outside of the platform, it is quite safe to buy and sell items on Etsy.
- What is the downside of Etsy?
- As with any online marketplace, Etsy does have a few downsides such as the following:
- If you are a seller, the fees Etsy charges can add up and eat into your profit margin.
- Not everything is handmade, which is a large assumption, but anyone can compete for your business with a variety of handmade, store-bought or factory-manufactured items.
- You ultimately can't control your page on Etsy, as it's the marketplace's site and not your own website. That's something to keep in mind when trying to market your items to the Etsy community.
- As with any online marketplace, Etsy does have a few downsides such as the following:
- Is Etsy a Chinese company?
- No, Etsy is not a Chinese company. It's an American e-commerce company headquartered in Brooklyn, New York.
- Is Etsy actually good?
- Yes, there are many upsides to shopping or selling items on Etsy such as:
- If there is something wrong with your order--for example, it arrives damaged or you do not receive it, you can open a case with Etsy customer service to resolve the issue promptly.
- Etsy has a large built-in audience of buyers and sellers which gives the online marketplace a wide selection if you are looking to buy an item or sell one.
- Esty is an established and trusted platform with a highly secure system that protects your payment methods and credit card information
- Yes, there are many upsides to shopping or selling items on Etsy such as:
