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I just heard from the seller of my very first Etsy purchase, an Alchemy request for a custom cake topper. She shipped the item today and sent me some photos.
I could barely keep from crying when looking at the photos. The cake topper (a supposed replica of the LOVE statue in Philly) looks horrible - like a middle school art project at best. Definitely not usable. I am so upset and don't know what to do. Does anyone have experience with Etsy and have any advice on getting my money back or lodging a complaint?
:(
Have you contacted the artist? Is there a return policy listed on his/her site? I'm sorry this is happening....what a bummer. Just remember, Etsy is a site that any artist can frequent and use to sell their wares. Etsy is only as reliable as it's worst participating artist...
as you havent seen the actual item yet, why dont you just wait and see and hopefully the real thing is better than the photos
sorry not much help but in my experience Etsy is good - but just like ebay, you get your good and your bad
Definetely! I think the alchemy thing is a litttttle iffy as maybe that isnt the type of thing they usually do? Etsy is usually pretty safe if they have good photos on stock of the product and good reviews from previous buyers ! :)
Well- everybody on there is an individual seller so obviously not everyone is going to be on the same level for craftsmanship and/or customer service.
I haven't ever had a problem (love etsy!) But I always look at reviews and their sold items along with their current items for sale. I know I am always taking a chance that I might not be getting what I want but I do my best to get what I want. I even ask questions of the seller on many occasions.
I'm sorry that you had a negative experience!
Just like any online vendor you can get shoddy service every now and again but I second @eloping in waiting to panic until you get the item. Just look at this as a learning experience, next time you do an Alchemy request ask for pictures as the design process goes. (Not sure if you can do that- but it doesn't hurt to try)
I think most sellers are really great on Etsy. I too had a bad experience with someone who responded to an Alchemy request. Constant excuses about why she couldn't give me status updates and then citing flooding and medical reasons at the last minute as to why she wouldn't be able to complete the project. It was a cake stand too, not anything super labor intensive. But then I did another request and found someone who was wonderful and I got exactly what I wanted at a great price and teh craftsmanship was terrific. With the good comes the bad I guess. There is a whole website about some of the absolute crap for sale on Etsy called:
regretsy.com
Check it out, it's hilarious and you could probably use a laugh after this experience!
The only thing you can really do is wait and see,BUT....I would be firing off emails to her right now asking her about the pictures you've gotten. My last experience was about the same. I had over 25 convos with her and even found the jewelry pieces needed that she said were nowhere to be found. I even sent her a picture of what I wanted,asking her to replicate it with a few modifications. Her photos werre terrible quality,so maybe I should have known better. I got nothing like I requested,and really knew no other way to let her know than to come right out and say I think she was not qualified to make the piece as requested. She offered me my money back after she received the item back. After 3 weeks of waiting I was told it 'must have been lost in the mail'.........I didn't (stupidly) get delivery confirmation,so....an expensive lesson learned. She sent me 'something to make up for it'...junk. Live and learn,I guess,but after buying MANY things on Etsy the past several years with no problems,this has kind of soured me for awhile.
I hope you read her feedback first. Good luck! Maybe it won't be that bad!
Do you want to share the pictures they sent to you?
Maybe it isn't as bad as you think it is?
First photo is what I was looking for but in red (not by this seller): 
This is what I actually got:
I mean seriously, look at that V! I really don't think it's just the picture, unfortunately :( :( :(
I should have just gotten that first one which I know would be nice. But I'm on a budget and it cost way too much :(
Oh my. You weren't exaggerating. DEMAND your money back, from the actual seller - first. Wow. I'm so sorry. That IS bad.
Oh my...I would definitely contact her once you receive it and express your concerns. Maybe she'll be willing to let you return it if she knows you're unhappy.
Hmmm...Maybe it will look better in person? Have you contacted the seller yet?
Oh yes...definitely lodge a complaint and see if you can get your money back! That is ridiculous and I don't see how you can salvage that.
What was the price difference between the two versions? Maybe you can get a refund and apply it towards the first option...
eh.. wow, yeah I don't blame you for being upset. I would be pissed, you need to get your $ back or something..
Oh wow...yeah you can't put that on your cake. I would contact the seller immediately. I am so sorry 
i dont know how big these are but theres are paperweights and it comes in red: http://www.talariaenterprises.com/product_lists/romance_pg2.html
Wow you definitely can't use that- is there some way to resolve things with sellers via Etsy- I would do some research and email around asking what you can do.... I'm so sorry!
If you had posted the photos right away, I think everyone would have agreed. It's baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaad.
Were you able to see the pics before you sent your money? I ordered a custom cake topper from etsy a month ago, and she just sent me pictures last night. She said if I liked it, I could buy it, if not then I wasn't out any $$$ (thankfully it turned out great, PM me if you want her info!) .... have you already gotten it in the mail? If not maybe you can cancel? Definitely contact the seller and post bad reviews, maybe they will offer a refund ...
@ grace
Thanks for the regretsy.com link. There is a taxedermied fish in a squirrel suit. No joke. Check it out.
oh boy.
unfortunately, alchemy is kinda an interesting gamble. i'd definitely shoot her a message and see if anything can be done to remedy this.
I would contact her now about the pictures and tell her your concerns. Hopefully the seller would be good about it and make it so that you are happy. Unfortunately since there are thousands of artists on there, you can't guarantee that everything you get it perfect and amazing.
Yikes! Holy lopsided V, batman! Unfortunately, with as many thousands of vendors (I read 240,000 somewhere!) as there are, you're bound to come across some less-talented-than-they-think-they-are vendors. I've never bought anything on Etsy myself, but Mr. KM bought me the most GORGEOUS earrings on there for Christmas. Looks like you found a bad one :(
I couldn't stop laughing when I went to the regretsy.com link. Some of the items are hilarious - seriously, a "chicken poncho or knitted wrist cuff" - http://www.regretsy.com/category/pet-humiliation/.
I hate to laugh at people's work - (I'm obviously not as creative as they are!) but how can one item be marketed for a baby chick or a piece of (human) clothing?!?
Oh man. I honestly can't believe she thought that was acceptable to send to you. WTH?
Email her back for sure! Sorry about this happening.
I hope this gets resolved! Obviously the quality of the product is way too low! I'm a little worried now too - I just ordered my first item (alchemy) today!
Oh no. Well, I'll tell you, I had a bad experience on Etsy as well, and the "artist" was a complete b!%@&.If it will make you feel better, feel free to PM me.
I would be upset too if I were you. Its tough when this stuff happens and you're a bride. I remember how I felt, and it was such a nightmare. Just try to laugh. I know it's tough. That "v" I think is the problem. If it was just a bit bigger, it would work. However, it looks like instead, you have a cake topper that says "LOE." Hmm... what could this stand for..I think this may stand for "Lack Of Effort," or maybe even... "Lost on Earth." I'll keep my eyes open if I see anything online like it...
Good call whoever linked to regretsy (I missed which post it was)!
As for the Love statue cake topper - I would definitely be back in contact with the seller to express your concerns about this - he/she should know it isn't quality work nor what you were looking for!
Good luck - and let us know what comes of this!!
Sad, that does look terrible I'm sorry.
I've alwasy had good experiences with Etsy, but as others have said, I've always bought what is already made and pictured and have never put in an alchemy request.
Good luck, I hope things work out for you.
Thanks for advice and support guys! I was worried that maybe I was being too picky or something, but glad to see it's not just me. I am going to get in touch with the seller now and see what she can do.
PS The regretsy link cheered me up a bit - Thank you =)
I'm not sure how cake toppers work (I won't be having one), but you could buy this Urban outfitters ornament, paint it red, and attach it to a round board (?) to sit on top of your cake.
YIKES!! Sorry that happened, but out of curiousity...what is that made out of?!
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