Etsy’s chat rooms, including “private” (password protected) rooms, now display the username of the person who created the chat and the time they created it. In this thread, Jared explains:
There have been reports of abuse with anonymous individuals creating chat rooms to antagonize others. The Chat was updated to discourage this kind of abuse by displaying the information of who created a chat room and when.
February 20th, 2008 at 5:07 pm
I agree with that, I think if a rule is enforceable and has consequences, then it needs to be in the official TOU. I think the last time this issue came up in the forums (linking to other shops), Stella said the official rule in the D&D would be re-written to be more clear. That is a good idea because there is still very much confusion about what actually is or isn’t allowed.
But I don’t think they could ever restrict the packaging or items that you physically send to your buyers. It would be prohibitively expensive to have two sets of business cards made, two sets of labels, etc. (one with only the etsy address and another with your website address)
well not necessarily, because I think only the higher level techs have access to the logs (Jared, Rob nd RD) and they are not the ones handling disputes at abuse@etsy. Whichever staff is handling the dispute would still need a screen shot because they don’t have access to the logs.
They already uuse an “archiving” system for the virtual labs and the town hall, and transcripts are posted of street team meetings, etc. The town hall uses the exact same system as chat, so it is just logical that chats are also archived.
February 20th, 2008 at 4:24 pm
No that is not what I meant. I meant I don’t believe there are any chat logs at all. Other wise screen shots would not be needed or wanted in chat disputes or abuse or what ever they’re calling them. I think I lean on the part of they are reading whispers but then I am not sure. People have whispered some pretty nasty things about admin in chat with them there. One admin said no in chat and one person said admin said yes in a private room. There is serious privacy issues with convo’s though so they very well may be reading whispers.
February 20th, 2008 at 4:19 pm
Ahhh Jim not Tim! Same exact type of correspondence. My guy Timmy well after a go around with why he took the item down I edited the item again. Next day it was down again this time with yet another reason why it was taken down. If one reason doesn’t work we move on to another reason. I “know” why it was really taken down so he can play his little game all he wants.
Well I don’t do go by what “rules” admin’s pull outta their butt on the fly in the forums. I go by what is in the TOS of and D&D’s. Thats where they rules are. Who has time to wade through a whole bunch of forum posts looking for the “rules”? I think that where I got the you could link even if the items were the same if items on your site weren’t cheaper, which makes sense doesn’t it? I mean if the items are priced the same what is the incentive to go and sign up on another site? I guess if I got an email about the linking to my own domain I would I ask where it says you can’t and how they came to the conclusion it was feed avoidance if the items weren’t cheaper. If they items are the same price that is not trying to get them to buy off etsy. I think it gives more security buying from someone who has a domain site even if you don’t buy from them on it and buy through Etsy.
Best thing is too label all your items with your own site when you ship. I wonder how long before that will be a no no? I mean Shirley Johnson receives lip balm and soap from susiejones.etsy.com but all of the labels are plastered with susiejones.com on them and Shirley Johnson reports Susie Jones for trying to direct her to susiejones.com where the items are cheaper. I can see this happening real easy, can’t you? In all honesty Etsy worries way too much about this. I have had only 2 people defect and buy off Etsy out of the 100’s of orders I have had.
February 20th, 2008 at 6:22 am
I agree with that. I also think that there are some things which the lower ranking staff say which isn’t factually true, but they believe it is true so I cannot say they are “lying”. Just because they don’t have access to chat logs, for example, doesn’t mean that the logs don’t exist. Another example is that some lower ranking staff have stated that admins will only read your personal convos after asking your permission, or if someone reports the convo. I believe that THEY believe that is the truth, but it’s not actually the truth. They just don’t know everything that goes on.
Enee’s emails came from Jim, not Tim
The price doesn’t matter, if the items are the same then the link is not allowed.
the only rule in the Dos and Dont’s is this:
“Don’t post links or URLs anywhere in your shop to another web site for the purpose of encouraging buyers to purchase your items off Etsy; this is considered fee avoidance.”
However there have been many forum threads where people asked about the specific rules (looking for loopholes basically) and Admins clarified.
1. It’s OK to sell the same items on another site, but you can’t add the link to that site in your etsy store.
2. It’s OK to have the link to another online store in your Etsy profile, as long as you aren’t selling the same items there. For example if you only sell scarves on Etsy and hats on Dawanda, you could put your dawanda link in your etsy profile.
3. “same” is defined as same design or same style, not same physical item. Because for example with prints, you can sell 100 identical prints, it’s never the same physical object but it is the same item.
4. You CAN include links in your Etsy store to sites that don’t have a shopping cart, such as your blog. And then your blog can have a link to your other stores selling identical items as your Etsy store. This is somewhat of a loophole to rule 2, because the link in your Etsy store doesn’t go to the other store in a single jump.
and of course, as always on Etsy, all rules subject to change and inconsistent enforcement!
The biggest confusion was on #3, what is the definition of “same item”.
Some people thought it meant same physical object, that they could list identical items on both sites if they have multiples. (they were told no)
Some people thought it meant same design, meaning that identical or virtually identical multiples are not allowed.
Some people thought it meant any similar item, i.e. scarves in general. (with the logic being that scarves competed with scarves so you still might be directing sales elsewhere). I think that different items in the same category is allowed, at least I am assuming it is because that is what people are doing and they aren’t told to remove the links. Example, all your wool scarves on Etsy and all your silk scarves on dawanda. I don’t think that is considered “same”.
http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5346512&page=29
http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5346945&page=3
February 20th, 2008 at 5:35 am
If you want the “U” people to go away just refresh the chat window! lol This how rumors get started in the first place. Now far as logging goes is this an assumption? A user said once they had a private talk with an admin about reading whispers and the admin said they could. I have asked twice in open chat about it and admin just ignore it! I don’t think there will ever be a exact answer on it or a truthful one.
Far as linking to your own site I thought it was ok if the prices were the same? I believe I looked for this in the TOS and D&D’s and I didn’t find that info. Is this something the admin is just winging out their ass or is it actually some place in the TOS or D&D’s and I have missed it. I think Tim is power tripping. I got a little email from Timmy once too!
February 10th, 2008 at 10:30 pm
update Feb 20: two comments by eneepine dated February 10th, 2008 at 10:31 pm and February 10th, 2008 at 10:29 pm have been moderated at the member’s request
These comments contained direct quotes from Admin emails sent to the user. I will remind all members that Etsy specifically forbids members to publish any convos or emails from an admin, no matter how generic or benign. (the published emails were not benign)
I will also remind and warn UEN members that Etsy admins read this board regularly and WILL retaliate against members on Etsy for what people say here. I wish it was otherwise but that’s how they roll. Anyone is welcome to use an alias at UEN, but if you publish an admin email sent to you, then obviously they will know who you are. Big Brother is watching, only he’s more like little brother because he’s petty and vindictive.
Members are responsible for their own posts and we will not make a habit of removing these kinds of posts at Etsy’s demand.
So everyone please, be aware of consequences, if you want to publish your admin emails we don’t prohibit that but Etsy does prohibit it, so make your own judgment call.
February 5th, 2008 at 1:10 pm
Anda totally missed the point.
The idea that sellers who work for Etsy might have the same advice or perspectives as sellers who do NOT work for Etsy is ludicrous, and demonstrates a total lack of understanding. This entire ‘hire sellers, have them work for Etsy, keep selling’ is just ridiculous from the beginning. Not surprising that they don’t get that.
quirke;”I wonder if it is advantageous to selling to know what is coming down the pipeline.”
Well, of course! The Etsy employee shops have endless advantages, including constant visibility in the Storque, the press, etc.
February 5th, 2008 at 2:05 am
Anda is rather notorious on the forums, in my experience.
February 4th, 2008 at 11:48 pm
Enee, while anda didn’t come right out and say it, I got the defensive vibe from her as well.
February 4th, 2008 at 8:47 pm
Enee have you been muted or warned for that thread?
It’s not deleted, it’s still there, and not locked
http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5450431