The Latest Scams & The Etsy Feedback System That Facilitates It

I don't know how many other sellers this is happening to.....but I've had it happen one too many times here on Etsy to not speak my mind about it. I do know some other sellers that have been dealing with similar scams.

The Scam:

The buyer purchases an item from you; then after the purchase is complete they contact you requesting that you send the item to a different address than the one that they have listed in their Etsy and PayPal accounts. If you do that, you will be forced by PayPal to refund the customer if they claim they never got it. In other words.....they have the item and a refund.....and you, the seller have zip.

If you don't ship the item to the other address they asked you to ship to; the customer will be angry because the scam didn't work in their favor....so they will come up with issues with the item; and either leave negative feedback or they threaten to leave negative feedback if they don't receive a full refund.....and they still expect you to allow them to keep the item.

Another senerio:

They will say they moved and never got the item because you refused to ship the item to their new address that they sent to you after the sale was completed. Which let me make very clear....DON'T DO IT! PayPal will take your money out of your account and refund the buyer if you did not ship to the address listed in PayPal.

The worst part of this type of scam is that you can't do anything about it. Etsy will allow them to get away with it. Etsy will go so far as to tell you to work it out with the buyer, and to refund them or give them another item.....they offer no assistance at all.

In other words; if you don't refund the customer and allow them to keep the item you will end up with negative feedback from the customer.....and that's okay with Etsy.

My latest scammer went into great detail in her feedback; stating the item was damaged, rusted, scratched, etc.; basically calling the item a piece of junk.....and said that she was "ripped-off" by me. She never once tried to contact me prior to leaving the feedback to let me know of any problems....she just told horrible lies when leaving feedback because her scam didn't work out in her favor. She thought I would ship to another address, but I decided to contact PayPal about it, and I was told "Absolutely, under no circumstance do you ship to another address.....and it sounded like a scam to them".

After she left the negative feedback the buyer finally did contact me stating she would consider changing her feedback if I refunded her in full. Keep in mind that she wants the item, and admits that it's a cute piece in her convo to me.....and that she wants to keep it. She never once asked to return the piece for a refund.....even though I had mentioned that she could have returned the item for a full refund, rather than leaving negative feedback.

She also made it quite clear that she understands the Etsy's feedback system....and that the negative feedback that she received from me doesn't show to the public or to other sellers, so she could care less. She even went as far as to gloat about that fact, and how the negative feedback only hurts me, as the seller. She even added a smiley face after the comment to let me know she was gloating about her not being affected by the feedback.

The Etsy feedback system is totally unacceptable and unfair to all the honest sellers. I think as sellers here on Etsy we need to make it clear that these feedback policies only hurt the honest seller; and should be changed to make it a fair place for both buyers and sellers to conduct their business.

I'd love to hear from other sellers.....what scams are you dealing with? I think as sellers we need to look out for each other.....and let others know what kind of scams are being perpetrated here on Etsy!

Also, as a seller.....how do you feel about the feedback system? How have the changes affected your doing business here?

Being Safe on Etsy: Spotting and Avoiding Advance Fee Fraud

It's important for us at Etsy to ensure our community is safe while using the site. Unfortunately there is no foolproof way to ensure safety online at all times. Sometimes all we can do is give information and hope that well informed users will be able to protect themselves. As the Etsy name spreads throughout popular culture and the world, it is bound to attract more and more unscrupulous individuals with ulterior motives. Unfortunately, this happens to web companies as they become more popular.

One of the most common scams is known as Advance-fee fraud. Also called the "Nigerian scam" or the "419 scam," this type of scam is frequently seen in emails where a person claims to be looking to engage in a business deal involving a large sum of money, but these scams are now cropping up more and more on online retail sites.

How this scam shows up on Etsy:

Typically this scam begins with the scammer sending out Conversations (also known as "Convos," Etsy's internal messaging system) to a wide range of Etsy sellers, specifically those that list one or more high priced items. In some cases the scammer may simply purchase some of these expensive listings. If they have checked out and committed to buy these listings, it's likely they have not "paid" in any sense and will send a Conversation along with their purchase.

The Convo will usually indicate that this buyer will pay with a money order or a cashier's check and will need to tack on an extra amount for their "shipping agent." Usually this amount is very high — sometimes even higher than the original cost of the listing. If this is agreed upon, then the buyer will send out the money order or check and typically a fake "invoice" from the shipping agent. They will then request that any over-payment from the money order be sent back to them.

This works because the check or money order (typically from an overseas bank) is a forgery. Your bank may allow you to deposit it, and then by the time the bank realizes it is a forgery, you have already sent back the over-payment to the scammer. Once the forgery is detected your bank will hold you liable for the amount, and now that the con artist has their money, you will not hear from them again.

What to do:

If you receive any suspicious Convos like this the best thing to do is ignore them and report it to Etsy's Support Team or forward the Convo notification email to abuse@etsy.com. If an item was purchased from your shop, you may cancel the transaction as well.

Sellers should never send any money in a situation like this, no matter what reason is given. If you do find yourself facing a potential loss, or realize too late that you were being targeted by a scam, be sure to contact your financial institution as soon as possible. You may also want to contact local law enforcement. Again, let us know about this and send us the pertinent information, so we can take steps to remove and block these types of users from our site. Please share this article with your family and friends so we can spread awareness!

More posts about Scams | Seller Handbook

RUNNER UP FOR TEAM CHALLENGE #4: FATHER'S DAY TREASURY

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READ ALL ABOUT CHRISTINE

PLEASE CHECK OUT THE WINNING TREASURY:
With Any Man Can Be A Father, But It Takes A Special Person To Be A Dad
www.etsy.com/treasury/4de42c4c91936d91f77729d1/any-man-can-be-a-fat...

CHECK OUT ALL OF THE PARTICIPATING TREASURIES!!!
Congrats to all and remember to share the love!

FRAUDS COMMITTED ON ETSY AND PAYPAL

Hello;
I noticed that ThePeppermintTree is one of EE team members and I wanted to warn you about this buyer and seller. I do not want for her to take advantage of other Etsy buyers and sellers on your team.
This particular individual used to be a buyer on Etsy by the name of BrenBooneDesigns. She is now operating under a new username: ThePeppermintTree.

On February 13, she purchased one of my items for almost $50. On February 2011, she wrote positive feedback for me that she had received this item and was very happy with it. Soon afterwards, I wrote positive feedback for her because she had paid for this item in a timely manner and had written what seemed to be genuine positive feedback. I strongly regret giving her positive feedback now, but unfortunately it is too late.

On April 2011, I received an email from PayPal saying that this buyer claimed that she had never made this purchase and that someone was using her credit card in fraud for this item. Soon afterwards, I received an email from PayPal saying that the buyer's credit card company had reversed the charges and that I was being withheld the $50.I tried contacting her 3 different times regarding this problem and never got a reply. I noticed shortly after receiving the PayPal emails that she no longer had a shop under the user name of BrenBooneDesigns. I have 3 pieces of evidence against her:
1. I have a copy of the original transaction
2. I have a copy of the postal receipt
3. I have her positive feedback as part of my feedback history in my store.

PayPal said that it could take up to 75 days for the buyer's credit card company to make a final decision whether to rule in her or my favor.
Today, May 20, I received an email from PayPal saying that the credit card company decided to rule in her favor, despite all the evidence that I had produced against her.

She has a Facebook page under Bren Boone Designs:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bren-Boone-Designs/108984765808666
on this page, she has linked it to her new Etsy shop that she just opened on May 13, 2011: ThePeppermintTree.

I can't help but wonder why her original account, BrenBooneDesigns, was suddenly removed from Etsy. I have now noticed that her new shop, ThePeppermintTree, is "on vacation." It seems suspect to me that if she just opened this shop on May 13, that she would be putting her shop on hold this soon afterwards. It also makes me wonder because her last sold item was on May 19, 9 days ago.

I would be happy to send you copies of the transaction, the original positive feedback, etc as evidence. I also have the various PayPal emails saved.
If she did this to me, I'm pretty sure that she has probably tried doing this to other Etsy sellers as well.

Beware of this person!
Please contact me with any questions or additional information that you might have regarding this individual.

I simply feel like this person has probably gotten away with her unethical practices too many times.

I actually did call PayPal and spoke to someone very nice. But he told me that PP was not the one to make the final decision...it is up to the buyer's credit card company. They said they didn't want to become "involved" in this incident, yet was going to charge me a $20 fee just for intervening. Fortunately the guy must have felt somewhat sorry for me because he waived that fee (since the total amount was only about $50). But I was less than happy with the way PP dealt with this.

I have tried contacting Etsy several times about this buyer but never get a reply other than their generic email saying that a "real person" will contact me asap. Not so!

I have a feeling that she is a real con artist. Often times people who suddenly disappear from Etsy and then come back with a different user name are suspect. And that is exactly what she did.

I have not mentioned her name in any of my FB pages, blog, etc. And I don't want to get in trouble with Etsy for "calling out" and possible retaliation from this particular individual.

But I'm very glad to hear that you have taken this seriously, because Etsy and PayPal certainly have not.

I've tried contacting Etsy several times regarding this person but have not gotten anywhere with them. My first email to them was over a week ago. I sent them another one a few days ago and absolutely nothing.
I find that all these comment on her FB page about welcoming her to the EE team were strange and suspect.

Interestingly enough, when I search for her under "seller search" on Etsy, nothing comes up. I've only been able to link to her Etsy site via her FB fan page. Something very fishy is going on here.

This is VERY strange. Because earlier tonight she was a part of your team. Now she isn't. This is really bizarre.

Now this is really strange ...I found just about all of the comments from other EE team members welcoming her have just been deleted! We both saw all the comments, but now they are gone (at least I can't see them).

Something very strange is going on here.

Yes, she used to have another shop on Etsy by the name of BrenBooneDesigns. That one is no longer in existence. I noticed that she quit that shop soon after she filed that false claim to me via PayPal.

She also has a personal FB page:
http://www.facebook.com/btaylorboone

I didn't find much info here (unless you become a friend, I think most of it is hidden). But that is her personal site and she also has a blog.

**Anonymous** The victim have asked not to have her name or etsy id exposed due to fear of retaliation from the con artist.
If you have been a victim of an online scam yourself, please write to us and we will post here:
Online Scams- Protect Yourself

COUPONS GALORE

Please feel free to post your store coupon codes here and they will be sorted according to shop's categories.

PLEASE FOLLOW THESE RULES FOR COUPON CODES, PROMOTIONS, AND DISCOUNTS:
Only coupon codes that DO NOT expire will be posted here. Please do not post coupons that have expiration dates, or temporary sales of any kind. We want to keep our page current and up to date. If you make any changes to your coupon codes or current discounts, sales, and promotions, please notify one of our leaders ASAP! or comment on this page, so that we can make the changes immediately. Failure to follow these rules will deny your shop the rights to be featured on this blog.

What can be posted?
Coupon Codes: Percentage Off Coupons or Dollar $ Amount Coupons
Shop Promotions: (Including Free Shipping and Discounted Shipping)
Discounts: BOGO SALES (Buy One Get One Free, Buy 3 get 1 free ect...)

You may post more than 1 coupon codes, promotions, and discounts; as long as none of them expires.
**Coupon Codes, Promotions, and Discounts can be from your Etsy shop, Artfire shop, etc... as long as you are a member of our team**

How to post your Info:
1. What category do you sell? Examples: Supplies, Jewelry, Vintage, Crochet, etc...
2. Your Shop Name & URL (links, including the http://www.shopname.etsy.com or http://www.shopname.com)
3. A picture of an item or group of items that show what you have on sale.

TEAM CHALLENGE 3: 10 MINUTE TREASURY CHALLENGE

10 minute treasury challenge:

Create an EE Team treasury within ten minutes using EE team members products! In this challenge you will choose whatever products your eyes are drawn to first to include in your treasury.

1. In a new tab, search for the words "eeteam" and/or "etsy entrepreneurs" for our team members items.

2. Select one or two items per page that your eyes are naturally drawn to. Feel free to skip pages, go back and forth, start from the end, etc. because there are tons of items! Since there is only 10 minutes there is little time to choose a theme, but if one happens that's amazing!

3. It's fine if it takes longer than 10 minutes; just try to do it as fast as you can.

4. Tag your treasury with 10 minute challenge, and ee team/etsy entrepreneur team.

5. Send a message to all members with your featured items to let them know they should check it out, share, and comment.

6. Post your treasury to the 10 minute challenge discussion as well as your twitter, facebook, and blogs for all to see!

Good luck!
When you are done, please post your finished treasury in this thread for other members to see, share, and click. Thank you for your participation!
http://www.etsy.com/teams/7978/etsy-entrepreneurs/discuss/7604729/

MARKETING OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPOSURE, GETTING FEATURED, ETC...

Hello EE Team Members!

Did you know that we have a wonderful Team Blog filled with so many AMAZING and helpful information?!!!

Well, here is your chance to get increase exposure for your shop!

WHAT IS IT? Are you an expert on a topic or field of practice or craft? Well, here is your chance to get noticed! Share your wisdom, knowledge, and experiences with your fellow EE Team Members. We are always looking for members who wants to write articles for our blog. We read all articles and info before posting it, and combing through all of the not so important details. Our featured articles are well written, have a nice flow to it, easy to follow, informative, and packed full of knowledge.

WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU? Just so you know, our team blog gets on average 100-200 views a day and on peak days, 600+ views a day. With people from all over the world viewing and reading our blog. In addition, with the majority of our traffic coming from Google, other websites, Social Networking sites, and numerous other blogs and search engines. That means that being on our blog will get your shop exposed much further than just in the realm of Etsy alone.
We always credit the author of the article. And if an article is written from an EE Team Member, we always attach your shop avatar with a link to your shop with the article. This is a great opportunity for those of you that don't have a blog to still get blog exposure!

HOW CAN YOU GET INVOLVED? Have a great topic that you want to share? Please let me know of your topic. Write your article within 1-2 weeks of getting the stamp of approval. Once you are done with your article, send me an email with the article to proof. I will also share the article proof with another leader/s on our team. Once everything looks good, it will get posted and you will be notified when it does get published. We are looking for many many good articles and contents. So there will be many features! Each author and article will be featured on different days. Our goal is to have at least 1 featured article each week.

WHAT DO WE LOOK FOR IN AN ARTICLE AND AUTHOR?
1. No noticeable grammatical errors. Hence we need to proof the article before posting. Nothing is perfect, so every now and then, a few small errors might slip by.
2. A good topic. One that is helpful and practical. Or one that is encouraging and uplifting. Anything to benefit our team, our members, and their businesses and/or life.
3. Please include pictures (if you can and if you have any pertaining to the topic written). Pictures are great because they tell a thousand words.
4. Please make sure that article submissions are topics that our members relate to. And we want to keep our current theme cohesive: business topics, business related, anything to save money and time, craft room decorations etc... Anything to make our lives more simple. Not sure about an idea or article?, feel free to convo or email us and discuss it with us Thanks.
5. A nice flow to the article. You don't have to be a professional writer. Just write from the heart.

Any other questions, please feel free to ask. Thanks and hopefully we will get many of you excited and willing to participate.
TEAM EMAIL ADDRESS: EtsyEntrepreneurs@gmail.com