The Storque has announced the return of Alchemy!
An excerpt from the article (see the article for screencaps):
How it works:
Alchemy is a tool on Etsy where buyers can post requests for custom items. Sellers then bid on the opportunity to make the item and get the commission. This presents a unique opportunity for shoppers to work closely with a crafter or artisan to get the exact item they seek.However, in order to accept private requests through Alchemy, sellers must “opt in” by going to Your Etsy > Shop Appearance.
The main Alchemy page shows all the open requests from buyers that sellers can bid on. To get the ball rolling, Etsy admin have put in requests for items we’ve been craving. If you are interested in making one of the requested items, feel free to bid on a request and be one of the first participants in Alchemy. Buyers can use these Admin requests as examples of the information necessary for an Alchemy request.
Etsians can manage all the requests you’ve placed or accepted, along with private Alchemy requests in “Your Alchemy.”
We’ve added a new section for Alchemy to the Dos and Don’ts. Before participating in Alchemy, please read and familiarize yourself with these rules.
Do use Alchemy to request custom handmade goods.
Do communicate openly with the buyer/seller during all phases of the transaction via Conversations or email.
Do follow through on the terms you agree to in your Alchemy transactions. This is a legally-binding sales agreement.
Do refer to and abide by Etsy’s Intellectual Property Policy regarding any intellectual property disputes.
Do get permission from Etsy prior to creating items that use Etsy’s marks (name, logo, etc). Please refer to the Etsy Trademark Program for more information.
Don’t use Alchemy to request Supply or Vintage items. At this time, Alchemy is for custom handmade items only.
Don’t use Alchemy to request a copycat or knock-off of an item listed on Etsy. Instead, submit a private request directly to the seller of the original item to inquire about a custom order.
Don’t infringe upon the intellectual property of others through Alchemy (some examples might include: using images in your request that don’t belong to you, or creating works using trademarked or licensed characters). When in doubt, ask permission first. Check out the Copyright FAQ for more info.
Don’t complete a transaction off-Etsy once it has been initiated through Alchemy. This is fee avoidance.
Don’t use Alchemy as a classified ad space for things unrelated to Etsy (for example: employment opportunities, room rentals, free puppies, etc).
Don’t use Alchemy to request pornography, illegal items or anything that would otherwise violate Etsy’s policies as stated in the Terms of Use or DOs & DON’Ts.
So go out and have fun with Etsy’s newest tool, Alchemy! If you need help at any point in the Alchemy process, peruse our Alchemy Help Guides. You should also check out our article on Alchemy’s best practices to get the most out of your Alchemy experience and keep the lines of communication between buyer and seller open.
March 15th, 2008 at 9:16 pm
It may not make any difference, but I’m bidding on projects without sacrificing my prices. And in some cases that means I’m 6 times higher than their IDEAL price. I don’t expect to get the job, I just hope to open some eyes as to realistic wages for skilled work.
Of course, I’m getting that stupid ‘with sympathies’ bot reply left right and center. There was a great thread last night that I had hoped would help a little…but today it seems there are more ridiculous design requests than yesterday.
http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5517913
March 15th, 2008 at 6:43 pm
I had a request from someone who said they had looked into the price of materials and I think she thought the quote was high…
it’s very silly to have people unfamiliar with your craft doing that.
Materials are but a small portion of the cost of a retail item!!
I agree that should be changed about Alchemy. Just one of the things a proper design would have: a ‘price range’ instead of an ‘ideal price’.
I’m not really very excited about this Alchemy thing at this point… realistic search and listing form enhancements, please! But really, based on how things have gone as far as everything Etsy has added or redone about the whole site while I’ve been a member, I really alck faith at this point that we’ll ever see anything be well designed. The Gift Guide sucked, Alchemy kind of is that same way, the Storque is hard to even look at for half a second… simply poor design all around.
March 15th, 2008 at 2:09 am
Simone Says:
March 14th, 2008 at 7:31 pm
The unfortunate thing about Alchemy is that it is effectively forcing people to market based on price. I know the marketing is privately done to the person making the request, but it’s a really bad corner for a seller of the type of items being sold on Etsy to be backed into.
I can see the logic for having the ‘ideal price’ in the listing, but ultimately I agree that it should be removed. It encourages underpricing on a major scale particularly by newer, less experienced sellers and discourages experienced, professional sellers from participating at all.
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Simone, you are so right it’s either depressing or scary. Maybe both. Good grief, you’d think sellers would KNOW better, wouldn’t you?
March 14th, 2008 at 9:07 pm
the low prices are depressing, especially as they come from within the etsy community
does no one on the inside value handcrafting either?
March 14th, 2008 at 7:31 pm
The unfortunate thing about Alchemy is that it is effectively forcing people to market based on price. I know the marketing is privately done to the person making the request, but it’s a really bad corner for a seller of the type of items being sold on Etsy to be backed into.
I can see the logic for having the ‘ideal price’ in the listing, but ultimately I agree that it should be removed. It encourages underpricing on a major scale particularly by newer, less experienced sellers and discourages experienced, professional sellers from participating at all.
Some of the prices are so low you could double them and they’d still be unreasonable, even by US economic standards!
March 14th, 2008 at 2:43 pm
As a graphic designer on Etsy, Alchemy is a big dissapointment (in my field). I’m seeing requests for custom banner/avatar for $1, logo for $30 etc. Alchemy should be for not listed, hard to find items…not just a way to fish for lower prices on things that are readily listed by dozens of sellers. Buyers should be more respectful fairly pricing their ideals and sellers should wake up and realize undercutting is a disservice to everyone.
March 14th, 2008 at 11:20 am
The lowball ideal price was a HUGE problem with alchemy the first time around also. I remember there being a lot of discussion in the forums about how insulting some of the requests were and the response being that a lot of people requesting the item simply had no idea what the materials would cost. I think that removing the “ideal” price box is a fantastic idea. It really does more harm than good in either scaring away potential bidders or encouraging others to lowball their own bid in order to get the sale, thereby undercutting everyone else and setting an unrealistic standard.