Is Etsy Safe for Buyers and Sellers?
Since it’s not as well-known as some of the other major online shopping sites, a lot of people ask, “Is Etsy safe?” The short answer is: Yes, it is!
Etsy has a number of safeguards in place to protect both buyers and sellers.
For one thing, it’s extremely difficult to keep a good standing as a seller on Etsy but also quite rewarding to make your own Etsy Seller Account.
With these safeguards in place, and as long as you take a few common-sense precautions, you can shop and sell with confidence on Etsy.
Purchase Protection Program for Qualified Sellers
One of the safeguards is Etsy’s Purchase Protection Program. It’s a great way to handle any problems that may arise with an order that is not under the seller’s control.
For example, if an item is not received or is damaged in transit, Etsy will cover the cost of the product.
Since a refund policy is in place, the platform will refund the buyer for the full purchase price of the item and not hold the seller responsible.
However, to qualify for the Purchase Protection Program, sellers must comply with the following:
Use a valid tracking or an Etsy shipping label
Pay via Etsy Payment channels
Have your items delivered to the shipping address supplied in your Etsy account
Take steps to protect the product accordingly (i.e., bubble wrap fragile products and use foam protection for electronics)
Include the processing time and expected delivery estimates on the order
Activate all the Etsy Shop Policies, such as returns and custom orders
Keep a good standing as an Etsy Shop
Etsy Case Policy for Buyers
On the other hand, buyers are also protected by the Etsy Case System.
Buyers should get in touch with the shop’s customer service team to open a dispute case if the items they ordered are:
Not delivered
Damaged upon arrival
Not as described in the product description or the product photos displayed on the Etsy platform
How To Shop Safely on Etsy
Etsy has always been a bit different from other online marketplaces.
While sites like Amazon and eBay focus on mass-produced goods, Etsy has always been a haven for handmade pieces, custom gifts, and vintage items.
The company’s unique approach also extends to its business model.
Etsy sees itself as a venue, so it’s not part of the transaction between buyers and sellers on the platform.
As such, it is important to keep yourself safe from potential fraudsters that may be on the platform.
Here are tried and tested tips for doing just that:
1. Keep Your Bank Details Safe
Etsy does not store credit card information.
Instead, the platform uses Tokenized Layer Security (TLS) to encrypt the information to process payments.
While Etsy only uses the tokens from the TLS, it’s still important to stay vigilant, especially about your credit card information.
Here are some of the basic steps to ensure that:
Do not disclose your full credit card information to anybody, including Etsy support.
Check your credit card statement regularly.
Transact only over the Etsy Payment platform.
2. Protect Your Etsy Account From Hackers
A lot of the fraud that occurs in online marketplaces is due to hacked accounts, so it’s important to keep your Etsy account safe.
Here are some of the ways you can safeguard your account from being hacked:
Regularly change your passwords
Use complex phrases or random characters and symbols in passwords
Log out of your account if you need to lend your devices
3. Use the Proper Checkout Process on Etsy
If you see an item for sale you like on Etsy, don’t try to look for ways to buy it from other platforms.
Etsy’s buyer and seller protections only apply to products that have gone through the proper checkout process.
4. Read the Shop Policies
Each Etsy store is entitled to its own refund and shipping policies. So, it is the buyer’s job to know them before asking for refunds or complaining.
That said, if you take the time to read the policies before making a purchase, you’ll be much less likely to run into problems later on.
How To Legit-Check an Etsy Seller
Part of why the question, “Is Etsy safe?” is asked is because of the horror stories of customers and sellers falling victim to fraudsters on the platform.
It can’t be denied that they do exist, but it’s fairly easy to determine whether an Etsy store is legit.
Here are some of the best ways to find out whether the shop you’re looking at won’t dupe you:
Sales Numbers
Stores can show their sales stats on Etsy, giving shoppers a better idea of how the store is performing.
This information can be helpful in understanding a store’s reviews, ratings, and overall performance.
Additionally, the stats can help buyers get a better idea of what to expect from the store.
It can help shoppers spot fake reviews and give stores a chance to contextualize negative reviews.
Ratings
Etsy’s ratings and review system is designed to give buyers the information they need to make informed purchase decisions and to let sellers know how they’re performing.
Overall, it’s a helpful tool for both buyers and sellers.
However, there are a few things you should keep in mind when reading Etsy reviews.
First of all, remember that people tend to leave reviews when they’ve had either a very good or very bad experience.
This means that you might not get an accurate picture of a seller’s average performance from the reviews alone.
Secondly, you should take the time to read the reviews carefully because some buyer reviews are not accurate.
Sometimes, people leave details that lack context for a full and impartial review of the product or service they purchased.
Etsy Seller Account
Creating your own Etsy Seller Account is relatively easy. You can even get 40 listings for free upon initial sign-up.
Keeping it, however, is another story.
Only trustworthy sellers stay long on the platform, as Etsy has a robust fraud prevention mechanism in place.
Naturally, when it comes to finding a trustworthy Etsy seller, looking at how long they’ve been active on the platform is a good place to start.
Sellers that have been around for a while are more likely to be reputable and deliver on their promises.
How To Contact Sellers
Whether you just want to clarify some details on an item or are unsatisfied with the delivery of an order, the first thing you should do is contact the seller or shop.
As long as you have an active Etsy account, you can do these things with ease.
Inquiring About a Product
To prevent dissatisfaction, it’s best to clarify details with the seller before buying anything on Etsy. Here is how to contact a seller or shop:
Step 1: Find the product you want to order.
Step 2: Click on the Message button.
Step 3: Type in your query and hit Send.
Step 4: Wait for the seller’s reply.
Contacting a Seller About an Order
For non-delivery, damaged, or in rare cases, items not as described on the listing, you may contact the seller or shop for an explanation or a refund request.
Here’s how you can do that:
Step 1: Click on the drop-down menu right next to your profile picture.
Step 2: Scroll down and click on the Purchases and Reviews button.
Step 3: Find the order you’re following up on and click Help With Order next to it.
Step 4: Type in your query, refund, or return request, and then press Enter to send.
Step 5: Wait for the seller’s reply.
What To Do If You Get Scammed?
No matter how careful you are with your digital purchases, there’s always the possibility of getting scammed on Etsy.
Whether it’s a case of false advertising or someone never sending the item, it can be frustrating and costly.
In the unfortunate event that you do get scammed on Etsy, here are a few things you can do:
Try to resolve the issue with the Individual Seller or Etsy Shop.
Open a buyer dispute case with Etsy Support if they are not responsive or uncooperative.
If the order qualifies for the Purchase Protection Program, Etsy can process the refund on its own.
If the order does not qualify for the Purchase Protection Program, the most Etsy can do is to ban the seller if proven guilty of pulling a scam on you.
In case you used PayPal to pay for your order, you may still be able to process a refund via PayPal’s Buyer Protection & Fraud Prevention protocols.
Is Etsy Safe?
Etsy is the perfect place for creative entrepreneurs to sell all kinds of stuff, from craft supplies to food items and custom gifts.
With millions of shoppers looking for unique and handmade items, it’s a great way to reach a wide audience.
Since Etsy employs some of the best financial safety and user privacy technologies, it’s one of the safest ways to buy and sell handmade items online.
For shoppers, Etsy is a veritable treasure trove of unique and affordable products.
Whether you’re looking for a special birthday gift or just something to spruce up your home, you’re sure to find it on Etsy.
If you’re a creative entrepreneur, you may want to check out how to create your own Etsy Seller Account. First-time sign-ups get their first 40 listings for free!
