Difference between revisions of "Etsy"

Revision as of 19:22, 12 October 2012

Etsy is an ecommerce website that sells hand-made and vintage products.

History

In 2005, Etsy was an idea of carpenter, photographer, and painter Rob Kalin. At the time, Kalin felt there wasn't a good way to sell his products and felt the responsibility to create one. On June 18, 2005, Etsy launched online with the help of Halm Schoppik and Chris Maguire. [1]

When asked where the name Etsy came from, creator Rob Kalin replied,"I wanted a nonsense word because I wanted to build the brand from scratch. I was watching Fellini's 8 ½and writing down what I was hearing. In Italian, you say 'etsi' a lot. It means 'oh, yes.' And in Latin, it means 'and if.'" [2]

In August 2010, Adam Freed was name C.O.O. of Etsy. {http://www.etsy.com/blog/news/2010/introducing-etsys-new-chief-operating-officer/}

In July 2011, Chad Dickerson was named C.E.O. of Etsy after 3 years serving as Etsy's C.T.O. [3] Dickerson is Etsy's third C.E.O. since taking over the role from Maria Thomas who was C.E.O. since July 2008. [4] Rob Kalin served as Etsy's first C.E.O.

Philosophy

Business

Selling

The products that can be sold on Etsy include art supplies, handmade products, and vintage pieces. Vintages pieces can only be listed if they are a minimum of 20 years old. In order to being selling on Etsy, one must create a username and optional shop name. Registering a shop on Etsy is free, however $0.20 USD is charged for every product listed in a shop. Listing fees are charged to the credit card

How do fees work on Etsy? Joining and setting up a shop on Etsy is free. Each item listing on Etsy costs $0.20 USD when the listing is published. A listing lasts for four months or until the item is sold. Once a sale occurs, we assess a 3.5% transaction fee on the item’s sale price. You have an opportunity to review and accept the fees that you will be charged prior to publishing a listing.

Fees for listings and transactions are accrued on your monthly Etsy bill. At the end of each month we add up all your fees, and we email your monthly statement to you. You must pay your bill by the 15th of the next month using either the credit card on file or PayPal.

Do I need a credit card to sign up? To become a seller on Etsy, you need to provide a valid credit card for verification purposes. You won’t incur any charges until you open your shop and publish your listings at a rate of $0.20 per item.

Buying

Etsy Labs

The Etsy Labs are our educational and event spaces for the D.I.Y and artist communities in Brooklyn and Berlin. They are home to regular, free events and workshops that focus on teaching people how to make things. From screenprinting and knitting, to photography and bike repair. The Etsy Labs are there to help you connect with the creative community and learn everything you need to do it yourself.

Etsy Labs exist also as regular pop-up events in Hamburg, Munich, London, Paris, Amsterdam, Portland, OR, and San Francisco, CA.

Controversy

References