Thoughts on Etsy going public?

[CoonhoundBetty]

What are your thoughts on Etsy going public?

http://techcrunch.com/2015/03/04/etsy-officially-files-to-go-public/

I've thought that Etsy has been going downhill pretty rapidly as of late--so much China junk being sold. This just seems like Etsy becoming another Ebay.

[pinkkittywinks]

It took a few reads for me to get past the jargon in the email!

I have noticed there are a lot of big sellers in China perhaps they will get more strict now they are going to be publicly owned?

My Esty shop is doing quite well, I have been putting quite a bit of work into it to try and make it a sucess.

I think time will tell.

Love pkw xxx

[Navi]

Etsy hasn't felt right for a few years now (to me at least). I was really into it when it was more handmade and vintage things. Recently it seems more like Chinese resellers are flooding the marketplace.

It's true that things mass produced in a Chinese factory are still "handmade" by someone, but it's not one or two people working out of their house.

[CoonhoundBetty]

Navi, I can't stop staring at your Minty army!!

[CadePony]

I've only started buying things off of Etsy within the past couple of years, and I might eventually start a shop on there in the future, so... I'm not quite sure what to make of this news.

[brightberry]

I don't know either.   I mostly shop there for doll clothes. 

[mylittleponysparkle]

I am glad and grateful for being a seller on Etsy. I wish Etsy nothing but the best and hope it grows and does well.

-Lizzie

[Navi]

Navi, I can't stop staring at your Minty army!!

Haha, you can never have too much Minty! 

[rosierjay]

i'm curious how things will be effected. the only things i usually buy off etsy are patterns and pieces or materials for things.
the vintage stuff is still too expensive.
wonder how it will effect my shop too. hmmm.

[ponyqueen]

I respected Etsy when they came into the market as a place for artists and crafters to sell *handmade* stuff. I lost faith when they started letting "vintage items" and "craft supplies" in... because this includes basically everything else in the world.

I don't know... I feel like I may be skirting the margins myself, as I sell (or attempt to ) prints, digital items (ie can be mass produced)and licensed characters (all handmade though!)

still... I'm pretty sure that makes me one of the bad guys. 

[CoonhoundBetty]

I respected Etsy when they came into the market as a place for artists and crafters to sell *handmade* stuff. I lost faith when they started letting "vintage items" and "craft supplies" in... because this includes basically everything else in the world.

I don't know... I feel like I may be skirting the margins myself, as I sell (or attempt to ) prints, digital items (ie can be mass produced)and licensed characters (all handmade though!)

still... I'm pretty sure that makes me one of the bad guys. 

You aren't one of the 'bad guys,' far from it! To me, the bad guys are the people selling Chinese knock-off things (like kids clothes) while using the real creator's pictures, without permission or knowledge!

[kaoskat]

Don't use it so it doesn't really matter to me one way or another.

[melodys_angel]

Im not sure what to think.

I wanted to start to sell my handmade jewelry online but that is scaring me off.  Noone knows me. Noones going ot look at whatever site I put up, let alone buy what I make when they can go to someone in China to get something factory made cheaper.

I don't know.  It sound slike they are shoving all of the handmade stuff off in favor of profit.

[CoonhoundBetty]

There was an article I read last night that says they haven't made a profit in a couple years :/ they are hoping to get like $300M by going public.

[ashes]

I found some really great pony ears, horns, and wings for Halloween costumes off Etsy.  They were a bit pricey, but I've used them multiple times, and they are made well from a person who makes tons of accessories for cosplays, so I don't mind too much.

I honestly don't know what to think, since I don't really use Etsy that much.