Avoiding Etsy's 'Make an Offer' Function: Here's Why
Etsy recently introduced a new feature that enables buyers to "Make an Offer" to sellers. Initially, I worry this could foster a culture where buyers consistently seek lower prices for every item, which seems out of place in the realm of handmade goods. It's concerning that Etsy might transition into an online flea market with this approach.
The main concern arises if a significant number of sellers adopt this "Make an Offer" feature, potentially establishing the overall expectation among buyers that Etsy is primarily a bargain-driven platform. This shift could rapidly diminish the perceived value of many products on Etsy. These thoughts are based on my personal perspective. What are your thoughts on this potential shift in the Etsy marketplace?
In the Reddit forum, there is discussion about this topic that is two years old suggesting they have been playing around with the feature for a while. I would be curious to know how many sellers have adopted this feature. One thing to note, is users seemed against this option and there did not see to be one positive comment about this feature. Is this feature
Here are some comments from users on Reddit:
"Yep they’ll be messaging offers to you even if you don’t have a place for them to submit offers. Probably saying something like “I couldn’t find the button to send you an offer like the other shops have but I’d like to buy this item for $insert 50% of asking price. Let me know how to move forward. Thanks!” - slynnc
"Right. They’ll think it’s a yard sale." - SnooHobbies7109
"Just nope. Sick of so many people on depop offering 30% of the selling price. People don't even make offers close to the selling price....its an insult half the time. The price I set is the price I'm happy with and have costed up etc." - tale_of_two_wolves
I'm relieved to find that I'm not alone in encountering issues with this feature. Several sellers have noted that this feature didn't appear in their accounts, leading to speculation that Etsy might be testing it. Clearly, Etsy is aiming to enhance overall order volumes, but the potential risk of reduced prices could transform the platform into an online Walmart.
I'd love to hear your perspective on this feature, whether as a seller or a buyer. What are your thoughts on its implications for the Etsy marketplace?
