Learning how to Shop on Etsy: My Etsy Experience

I love Etsy.  I really do.  I have ordered so many things from Etsy, and have been very pleased with them all...until now.  I don't want to discourage anyone from purchasing on Etsy.  I will continue to shop on Etsy, but I had to learn how to shop on Etsy.  I think there are many people who are still not familiar with Etsy, or don't quite know their way around it.  I wanted to post about my experiences with Etsy, and give a little buying advice from my experience.

These are the first items I bought through Etsy:

1. The first item I bought on Etsy was this cute print from Graphic Anthology.  This shop has a lot of cute prints, and there are prints on Etsy for just about every quote, song lyric, and bible verse that you can imagine.  

2. I bought three bubble necklaces for Christmas gifts.  I actually bought them from different shops, but they were all in China, so shipping took A LOOOONG TIME.  In fact,  the one I ordered for Candice (My Bro-in-law's fiance) didn't make it in time for Christmas.  But the necklaces were cute, and the seller was very nice, so I left good feedback on her shop.  Here is where I learned LESSON #1 when Shopping on Etsy: Always look at where the shop is located.

 3. I ordered a super cute Gender Reveal Party Package from The Paper Blossom Shop.  You can find all sorts of cute party decor here, and in several other shops on Etsy.  Etsy is a great place to order your stationary, Invites, Photo Announcements, etc.  This set came with personalized invitations, Party Circles, Welcome sign, centerpieces, and Water bottle Labels.  It also came with other non-personalized items such as cupcake wrappers, buntings, etc.  I ordered this without looking at other pictures in the listing, and without reading what all it came with.  I then saw a listing in her shop for water bottle labels, so I ordered those as well, not realizing that the package I had ordered already came with them.  Thankfully she was very sweet and messaged me about the mistake, and refunded the money for the water bottle labels. Here is where I learned LESSON #2 when Shopping on Etsy:  ALWAY LOOK AT ALL THE PICTURES IN THE LISTING, AND READ EVERYTHING IN THE DESCRIPTION.

4. I bought my baby bedding back in April from Dandelion Baby Blanket.  (I linked this to her feedback, because she has since deleted her shop.)
 This has by far been the WORST Etsy experience, and probably the most valuable lesson I learned while shopping on Etsy.  I custom ordered my bedding, and she was very quick to get back with me on the details of my order.  I paid $330 for the bedding, and then I saw that her policy said it would take up to 12 weeks for the order to be shipped.  This was my first mistake with this order - not reading the shipping policies, but I figured 12 weeks was before my due date anyways, so no biggie.  Later on, though I found her feedback, and it was ALL horrible.   Pretty much all of it was saying they didn't receive their order in the specified time frame, and that she completely ignored all of their inquiries.  Second Mistake: Not Reading Shop Feedback.  This is only her most recent feedback.  There is SO much more.

This made me really nervous, so I messaged her and she got right back to me:

I left her alone until last Week - week 12.  I asked her about the status of my order, and if it would ship that week.  Again, she got right back to me and told me it would ship on Friday:

I was really excited thinking that maybe she had learned from all the bad feedback, and my order would actually be on time.  But it's been a week now, and she has not only been ignoring my inquiries, but she has also deleted her shop.  I am feeling like she is taking my money and running with it, and what's sad is that I'm not the only one she's doing this to.  I will probably have to dispute it through PayPal.

I learned a few important lessons with this experience:

Lesson #3 when buying on Etsy:  ALWAYS READ SHOP POLICIES

Lesson #4 when buying on Etsy: ALWAYS READ FEEDBACK!!

I have really only had the one bad experience with Etsy.  I will continue to buy from Etsy, but I have learned some very important lessons through my first 4 Etsy Purchases.  Since then, I have purchased many other items, and have been VERY PLEASED:

5. We ordered these 16 x 20 Vintage Baseball prints from Gemini Studio.  They shipped very quickly, and we LOVE them.  This guy has a ton of awesome prints in his shop that I have favorited.
6. I ordered these vintage locker baskets from Third Times Charming.  Again, they shipped quickly, and look great.  This shop is full of vintage pieces.
7. I ordered this baby girl Texans onesie for my sister-in-law Megan's baby shower.  I ordered it from Gifts We Love.  She doesn't have anything in her shop anymore, but I was very please with this order.
8.  I ordered these baby headbands and another set of 3 for Megan's shower as well.  These are from Fab Flower Headbands.  She has SO MANY precious headbands in her shop, and I loved the ones I got.  I will be ordering from her again.

9. I ordered a Contour changing pad like this one but a different print from Designs By Christy S.  She has some bad feedback, but most of the complaints about not receiving orders on time were because of the tornados in Oklahoma City, which is where she is from.  Thankfully my order shipped and I am pleased with it.
10.  I ordered this cute print for Aiden's room with a picture of  Malti-Poo on it, and of course Aiden's name.  I ordered this from Wallfry.  It shipped from Australia, but it shipped really quickly, and looks AWESOME.  I love it.
11 &12. I ordered my Diaper bag and a pacifier holder from Bag Envy.  The bag is Navy Chevron with Orange Lining.  I am also having it personalized with Aiden's name.  I haven't received it yet, but it should ship next week.  I'm not worried about this one.  She has RAVE reviews.  Her bags are awesome.

 13. I ordered these Onesie Stickers from Buddha Bellies.  They are too cute.  These ladies are really talented and have just about every type on onesie sticker you could dream of.  They shipped quick, and look great!
14. I ordered this Wet Bag to match my diaper bag from Pink Pigeon Creations.  I was very pleased with it as well, and the shop has lots more cute items like this.
15. I ordered this Travel wipes case from Baby Penelope.  I love it.  It looks great, and shipped quickly.
16.  I ordered this Car Seat Cover from Kit Carson Blue.  I haven't received it yet, but I can't wait!

17. I ordered this precious little crocheted newsboy hat from My Sweet Baby Etsy.  She has a lot more cute crocheted items.  I love this one, and can't wait to use it in Aiden's newborn session.
18. I LOVE my little Astros Crocheted hat and diaper cover!  I ordered it from Handmade by Chhunneang.  Her crocheted items are absolutely precious!  I will probably order from her again!

Hopefully this helps some who aren't as familiar with Etsy to have a positive experience.  I love Etsy, but it's important to know who to order from and who not to order from!