source: http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5182972
stellaloella says:
Hello, friends.You may have noticed a little change on the site today; it’s one that we hope will make a big impact.
Sold item listings no longer display the item’s sale price to the public. They simply say “Sold.”
This change is in response to the concerns raised recently about buyers’ privacy issues. We are still looking at further changes to the feedback system to retain purchasing privacy, but we feel this a small move in the right direction.
If you were involved in a transaction as a buyer or seller, the item price will still be visible to you.
Thanks for all your patience on this matter. And please continue to let us know when you see an opportunity for improvement on Etsy. Your input is valuable, and we appreciate it (and you).
See previous coverage of this issue here.
EDIT by starrydesigns
For those who want the prices back on sold items, read what stellaloella has to say about this:
… Again, we acknowledge that this is an imperfect solution for many sellers who use their sold items as a showcase for custom orders. We’re looking at other options for future changes, but for now, this was the best choice without major restructuring…
Posted at 6:16 pm, August 6 2007 EST
August 7th, 2007 at 10:03 am
I am surprised that the user name EtsyTools caused such a stir and confusion - without the telltale orange badge, I never for a moment thought an admin was posting. But I thnk it’s great that a response to the concern was so quick and thorough. Not a hint of defensiveness, very accommodating. What a great resource for the entire Etsy community! Too bad the advertising listings will no longer be offered on Etsy - it really seemed like a win-win. For a very reasonable price Etsy sellers will still be able to advertise their shops and support this wonderful service, but Etsy the company loses out on the listing fees and commission. Oh well.
August 7th, 2007 at 2:40 am
One of the EtsyTools peeps has posted a response to all the concerns on their blog here:
http://www.etsytools.com/blog.jsp
August 7th, 2007 at 2:13 am
just put it at the beginning and the end of the quote, with the / in the ending tag. You’ve got the closing tag but no opening tag.
August 7th, 2007 at 1:41 am
Oh, crumb. I still can’t get the blockquotes right. I’m hopeless.
August 7th, 2007 at 1:23 am
Well, I must say this has been a great day on Etsy, as far as I am concerned. First, the EtsyTools site was announced (very cool) and then this amazing first-step toward user privacy. I am impressed and very happy. Lovelovelove it! JB phrased it very well:
I am really looking forward to future improvements - complete protection of buyer privacy now seems like a real (though still remote) possibility. Façade, quirke and E, I know how important this is to you three - and to many other Etsians, too. Sellers are also buyers, so a victory for buyers is a victory for us all. Let’s just hope that Etsy moves quickly to implement even more positive changes. I’ll continue to help keep the topic alive and visible in the meantime.