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Thank you for posting this. I think it's an important warning. I WISH Etsy would do something about resellers, but they don't seem to want to.
...I wish they'd do something about re-sellers too. They claim to not allow re-sellers, but their shops are rarely closed down (probably because Etsy enjoys collecting their sales commission too much).
The best thing to elimimate the re-sellers is to educate all the brides out there, and hope that they will stop supporting these shops.
I don't think resellers should be eliminated completely. They are offering a service with a slight guarantee through PayPal which is a bit more secure than trying to order from some of the Chinese companies directly.
That being said I think the resellers should be required to state very clearly on their sites that they are not actually handcrafting anything, but rather reselling things they have purchased pre-made in bulk.
Oh for sure, treejewel! These sellers should definitely stay in business. But not on Etsy. Etsy is for artists. These sellers should be on Ebay...and should clearly state that they are resellers, not artists.
@hanna_banana: Hmm good point. Although I try to avoid Ebay after a few bad experiences. I tend to trust Etsy a little bit more despite my limited use.
Thank you for bringing this to our attention. It's a disgusting practice that really kills the spirit of Etsy for me. :(
The lady that runs Regretsy has been writing about this for a couple years now. She actually tracks down re-sellers, posts pictures of their listings and then pictures of the Chinese wholesaler listings with the massive price differences.I highly recommend her site. I really enjoy it.
An excellent site regarding this issue is http://etsycallout.wordpress.com/ It's "Callin' out on Etsy" and they post about resellers and other shops with similar bad business practices. Before you buy, it's good to do a quick search to see if they have been listed on this blog (and of course use common sense too).
Just curious as to how you know that the 4 shops you listed are "resellers"? The only one too me that looks like it could be a reseller is the 2nd one- it is a lil intricate but not unrealistic even with the $118 price. The rest of the items you listed can most definitly be handmade. At craft stores like Michaels and AC Moore they sell many of the same pieces separately that can be bought and then wired together to create a piece of jewelry- so they wouldn't necessarily have to place every stone separately and anyone can wire some beads together and put them on an earring hook. Two of the sellers even mention they can change aspects of the piece if the buyer wants to- a reseller wouldn't do that IMO. Not trying to be rude- but you should provide some evidence, other than they look too good to be true, before "calling people out".
@ShennaB2b: agreed.
@ the OP:
not only that, but you can also walk into high quality jewelry supply stores and purchase premade settings, and then set whatever stones you want into them. it doesn't necessarily mean the final piece is low quality.
there are thousands of people on etsy that purchase prefab things and then put them together to sell. do I think it's especially creative? not really. but you can't just go around and accuse everybody of being a sham artist.
those links you posted are not even trying to claim that they are made out of diamonds or anything.
before you go and bash somebody else's storefront without real proof, maybe you should take it up with etsy.
Hey everyone...sorry some of you took offense. Just wanted to let you know that I've done my research and have proof that every item there is a 're-sell'. Didn't want to make the post so long that no one would read, but I have all the proof as I've been researching this for an exposé piece for work.
I realize that jewelry making involves taking pre-made components and wiring them together artistically. I understand some designs are fairly simple and, for example, only consist of a single pearl hanging from a pre-made component. However, I have a problem when the WHOLE SHOP is full of this! Especially those rhinestone-encrusted pieces with 2 pearls dangling from them. Maybe that's what some of you are looking for, but I just wanted to open your eyes to the fact that the seller DID NOT handmake it! You are buying a mass-produced $1 piece from China that an etsy seller has stuck a pearl onto, and called "handmade".
Here's some examples for you:
same earrings. different shops: (take a look at their shops too! ALL premade components from China!!!)
shop 1: http://www.etsy.com/listing/91901713/rhinestone-earrings-chandelier-earrings
shop 2: http://www.etsy.com/listing/79325794/bridal-chandelier-earrings-vintage
shop 3: http://www.etsy.com/listing/59923184/denise-romantic-long-dangling-crystal
shop 4: http://www.etsy.com/listing/86585190/bridal-rhinestone-crystal-and-pearl
shop 5: http://www.etsy.com/listing/85488983/crystal-and-pearl-chandelier-bridal
With that being said, I don't want to turn anyone away from Etsy, I just want to promote the real artists on there! Personally, if I'm buying from Etsy, I want something handcrafted/unique/artistic. I don't want a mass produced in China chandelier-part with 3 pearls attached.
For chandelier earrings, I'd MUCH rather have something artistically handcrafted, like any of these: (you can actually see the work that went into these pieces!)
http://www.etsy.com/listing/30714558/bridal-chandelier-earrings-quartz
http://www.etsy.com/listing/86439100/crystal-crowns-bridal-earrings-clear
http://www.etsy.com/listing/91044003/vintage-style-wedding-earrings
I am surprised to find out that so many of the bridal accessories are from China! The markup they are listing them for is crazy! Talk about making a nice profit for little to no work.
Exactly!!
I just want to open everyone's eyes to good finds and bad finds! Anything rhinestone encrusted is most likely from china.
Also, for example, these earrings feature rhinestone components within the design (which is the proper way), but the design itself has been handcrafted.
http://www.etsy.com/listing/91044003/vintage-style-wedding-earrings (<-so this is a GOOD find!)
and this is a BAD find ->: http://www.etsy.com/listing/91403276/nia-swarovski-crystal-chandelier-bridal
GOOD find that uses rhinestone components *WITHIN* the design :http://www.etsy.com/listing/59521268/rhinestone-pearl-chandelier-earrings
BAD find that features the WHOLE rhinestone component as the design: http://www.etsy.com/listing/82017558/art-deco-bridal-chandelier-earrings
and oh look, this shop has the SAME earrings!: http://www.etsy.com/listing/79195947/art-deco-rhinestone-earrings-bridal
Thanks! Want more proof?? Here is a link to a wholesaler who also purchases items from China for $1 each, and marks them up and sells them to etsy sellers, who then mark it up even more to sell to us innocent brides:
http://weddingfactorydirect.com/chandelier.html <--recognize some of your favorite etsy earrings????
I wouldn't mind so much wearing $2 jewelry, but I don't want to pay 20 bucks for it!
But would you want it sold to you as "handmade"?
Be careful of these etsy sellers. If the big rhinestone component is the whole design, it most likely cost $1 from China and was made by a tiny pair of hands in China for 2cents/hr.
I appreciate this post, it's really not something I thought about before.
However, I will say that bridal salons do the exact same thing and put an even higher mark up on their prices. I appreciate Etsy as a place where I can get reasonably priced bridal items. I understand that Etsy is for artistry and not reselling but it's so much more user friendly than Ebay. So I almost wish they had a separate area for reselling.
Yeah, I have to second PP, while I completely agree that these items should in no way be marked as 'handmade' or anything other than what they are (or listed on Etsy), reselling is what stores do. Saks does. Neimans. Bloomies. Gap does. The shop on the corner. It's all stuff from China (and other areas of the world) that they buy, present it to you for a different cost, and take the difference. There is something to be said for convenience in a purchase.
But again, I don't think it's right or appropriate on Etsy. I just don't want to see everyone bashing a practice that is one of the pillars of the global economy (like it or not).
You did NOT do your research. Before you call out these shops why don't you get your facts straight. These are not resellers. You took one item out of a few hundered that are listed and call them resellers. This pieces that you called out:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/79325794/bridal-chandelier-earrings-vintage
This shop also has these pieces which are hand made and hand set the crystals, how do I know that because I do my research:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/80975010/vintage-inspired-bridal-earrings-with
http://www.etsy.com/listing/70920894/bridal-chandelier-earrings-with
http://www.etsy.com/listing/89596193/bridal-bracelet-pearl-bracelet-cuff
http://www.etsy.com/listing/85754963/bridal-cuff-bracelet-wedding-bracelet
http://www.etsy.com/listing/82648372/vintage-style-bridal-necklace-statement
And there are a hundered more like this in her shop.
This piece that you called out:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/85488983/crystal-and-pearl-chandelier-bridal
She also has these in her shop, which are handmade:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/70989811/pearl-and-crystal-bridal-earrings
http://www.etsy.com/listing/88298134/pearl-bridal-necklace-chunky-wedding
http://www.etsy.com/listing/88298134/pearl-bridal-necklace-chunky-wedding
So before you start messing with people livelyhood, do your research. A re-seller is someone who does not remake the piece but someone who just resells the item as is. Most of these shops take centertain rhinestone components and make them into something else or add pearls or manipulate them in some way. But they do not resell. This is all within Etsy guidelines. Don't just look at one item in their shop and call them resellers make sure you look at the bulk of their work.
Yeah I think those sellers are not reseller. They probably buy rhinestone jewelry and use the parts as material to make a better jewery or modify, and make it in to their original designs. I am a fashion designer and I've seen rhinestone chains, components, and trim as material products at supply stores. There are a lot more pre made materials available at supply stores for professional designers, much more variety than Micheal's or AC Moore. This bracelet you called out: http://www.etsy.com/listing/60964622/sparkly-rhinestones-bracelet-bridal
There are many types of similar rhinetone trims available by yard. And the seller is offering size change (Custom-sized ). reseller can't do that.
The necklace you called out: http://www.etsy.com/listing/90835416/rhinestone-and-pearl-flower-bridal
She is adding hight quality materials (Swarovski pearls) using her skill, and made the necklase into better piece than original.
You said those rhinestone pieces are only $1 or $2, but thats not true. some of the cheepest bad quarity pieces are maybe that cheep only when you buy like 1000 pieces. I don't think any of etsy seller would buy that much of same item. I am sure most of bridal salon jewelry came from china but they even charge more than etsy seller.
When I was on there today I was totally thinking that some of those pieces were not handmade. I've seen many of the same things at Macy's. Some pieces are definitely not "handmade" but "manufactured." The point of this whole thing is that these people are making money off of customers under false advertising. The bridal shops are not advertising "these earrings are handmade" but we go in knowing "we're a bridal shop and we mark up the s!@& out of our items".
Just for smart shopping anywhere-bridal sashes that are literally ribbon with something slapped on it...ribbon is about $3.99 a roll at Hobby Lobby and you can find a nice brooch for $10 at a department store. Raw edge tulle veils are less than $10 to make. I bought tulle last week for .77/yard. If you think you can make it yourself for less...then you probably can.
I contacted the Etsy store AlexBridal about making custom lace cap sleeves. I thought it would be easy seeing they make all the lace boleros. They emailed back saying they don't do custom orders, and now I know its because they buy all their boleros from other websites cheaply and mark up to resell! I think I'll cut out the middle man and buy straight from alibaba now.
I AGREE TOTALLY WITH
jezior6609 September 15, 2012 stroudsburg
"You did NOT do your research. Before you call out these shops why don't you get your facts straight. These are not resellers. You took one item out of a few hundered that are listed and call them resellers. "
Very well said!
Perhaps the 'journalists' research was not so thorough! Go to 'supplies' in etsy and see where the jewelry designers get their product to make their jewelry. Everyone does the same thing! The crystal jewelry you have been calling out on is simply another version of taking an item, repurposing it or dismantling and using in a different way. These pieces are not $1 or $ 2 purchases. GET YOUR FACTS STRAIGHT. The majority of similar pieces on alibaba that I have looked at after reading this post, have a minimum purchase of 100-1000 pieces. Do you really think that Etsy sellers can afford that?
Also I see that Etsy rules are that it can be 'altered' or 'repurposed'.
I have bought jewelry off some of these sellers and they will custom design to my exact liking and I feel as though I am dealing with someone who cares.
Yes there are some that resell without much alteration and some of the dress shops on esty don't custom make so I think they are bought in and altered.
But so what?
I am not sure why people love accusing others of wrong doings especially when they are just trying to earn a living.
OP thanks for the heads up, not something I've thought about before and your research is clearly well-founded.
Like many of the other posters, I have no problem whatsover with buysing something that's being resold (even with a markupif you make it easier for me than buying from the manufacturer myself), but when it's misrepresented on an artists' site like Etsy I think that's where the line is crossed. I'll be sure to do my research before buying any Etsy products, especially from the sellers you mention.
Thanks for sharing.
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Hi bees, I'm a new poster, but i've been a lurker here for a while!
I am recently in the process of picking out my wedding jewelry, and I've been doing some research on Etsy's sellers and their items. I'm also a journalist for a popular US newspaper.
I wanted to put out a warning about re-sellers. Not sure if you're familiar with this concept, but they are sellers who purchase mass quantities of cheap rhinestone-encrusted jewelry from wholesalers in China. They then mark it up and sell it on Etsy as THEIR OWN creation!!!
Etsy is supposed to be an artisan marketplace, where everything is handcrafted with love from artists all around the world. By purchasing on Etsy, you are supporting artists directly, and you are getting a special item made just for you!
However, like I said, certain sellers simply purchase cheap jewelry from China and mark it up dramatically! Here is an example of where the 're-sellers' purchase this jewelry for a few dollars/piece: http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/474945914/2011_fashion_necklace_bridal_jewelry_set.html
So when you see similar items on Etsy, don't be fooled, and please don't support these shops! Do you really want to wear a cheap piece of jewelry on your wedding day that was bought from China for $2??? The 're-sellers' are very easy to spot. Here are some examples of mass-produced items from China VS. real handcrafted items. Please take note!
MASS PRODUCED ETSY ITEMS FROM 'RESELLERS':
**take a look and ask yourself if this item was "handcrafted". I think NOT! If it was made by hand, these pieces would be super expensive due to the time it would take to mold and place every rhinestone/pearl on the piece by hand!!**
http://www.etsy.com/listing/89849445/chunky-bridal-earrings-wedding-swarovski
http://www.etsy.com/listing/90835416/rhinestone-and-pearl-flower-bridal
http://www.etsy.com/listing/79325794/bridal-chandelier-earrings-vintage
http://www.etsy.com/listing/60964622/sparkly-rhinestones-bracelet-bridal
REAL HANDCRAFTED ITEMS FROM REAL ARTISTS:
***take a look at the intricate wire-work and design that goes into these pieces***
http://www.etsy.com/listing/69243436/earrings-necklace-set-swarovski-crystal
http://www.etsy.com/listing/91392690/crystal-pearl-wedding-bracelet-bridal
http://www.etsy.com/listing/59679527/white-pearl-cluster-earrings-bridal
http://www.etsy.com/listing/86245194/crystal-chandelier-earrings-bridal