Why I regret selling 3D prints on Etsy

Deciding between Etsy and Shopify for 3D printing businesses can be tricky. I've been successful on both platforms and share with you my thoughts on them. Etsy has a big audience and polished back end but Shopify offers freedom and customization.

Which to choose...and why?

[Dragon_Gmr]

My issue with etsy was that a copycat issued a takedown of my shop by saying I copied them, when my listings had been there for nearly 4 months before the copycat even joined etsy

[fishodeath]

Shouldn't count that second 20c, thats costs of the next item you sell. If you used this math you'd be putting 40c per item for listing fee.

[vrjonas]

Idea I was playing with for starting out.
Start on etsy to get my first customers.
With the shipped product, I'll put a business card of sorts (printed qr code for example ) towards my own site.

[razorseal]

We started on Etsy. It's easy, I don't have to deal with any tax stuff, and the fee isn't out of the world. I don't need the SEO, and I already have a full time job. yes, there are copy cats and people have copied and I have copied people. it's the biggest issue, but you're in a mall with same shops. people will go to the highest reviews and best costs. Works for someone doing this when they come home from work at night.

[Sharpshooter]

I created and sell my own products on my website. I love that you are a mechanical engineer like myself. I choose to invest in a patent and it is a lot of work to keep up and is expensive but it does help with the copycats. Keep it up.

[reidstephenson]

Etsy now reduces their fee from 6.5% to 2.5% if you are responsible for sending the customer to your Etsy store. So depending on your monthly Shopify fees of $29-299 a month, you need to sell between $1, 500-$12, 000 a month to start saving money.... and you lose money if you sell less than that.

[Rmharnisch]

Glad I stumbled across your brand new channel. Great work Travis. I've followed you on Shop Nation since 2020 and watched you grow. Love your content and you've inspired me to build out my workshop and start my Etsy business. I appreciate your effort. I'm definitely following.

[rgitzelify]

I was wondering why copycats are less of a problem outside of Etsy.... is it because with Etsy there are a number of tools to help you find high-selling items? Presumably your Shopify sale data is available only to you.

[Johndoe-srx]

Love your content, your open, honest and there is no BS. Keep up the great work.

[yolo]

Again a great video, short, clear structure and explaination, summary at the end. Plus on top a sense of humor: "...avoid Etsy like the plague.." . Love your style.

[brucejohnson]

You can reduce the amount you give to Etsy by syncing your orders to Shopify and then fulfill them form there. The shipping will cost you less.

[brianjonas]

Its the last part. The know how to drive the traffic to your own website. Any pointers on that would be greatly appreciated. I am eating fees on eBay and Etsy like crazy because my website does not get the traffic!!!

[Raytenecks]

Maybe I glazed over it, but I didn't hear anything about the $29/mo for Shopify, which completely changes the numbers for someone just getting started, IMO.

I think for unique, self-designed things like you have, Shopify is indeed very tempting... So long as you know you can at least cover that $29 in fees each month. If you can, you'll probably grow from there and it'll be fine.

If you can't, you don't know if you have a market and you're locked into a 1 year commitment on something that might not make you money.

[RickJohnson]

Copycats - It seems that many sellers are grabbing designs from Thingiverse, Printables, Thangs, etc., ignoring the non-commercial license terms (or using before the owner changes the terms), and making a little money off of said print.

[ErgoProdigy]

As a customer, I love the barrier between a seller and myself. People often complain about Etsy, eBay, or other marketplaces, but the real issue is the risk customers face when dealing with random websites and sellers.

So many times, I’ve had to vet a site by calling their shop, googling addresses, etc., just to figure out if it’s a scam. Never buy from an online store without a physical location, accessible business hours, and a proper storefront.

That’s why we rely on platforms like eBay and Etsy.

[FilipLuch]

yeah and they randomly blocked my product for 3 months until they agreed it was a mistake..

[barnbuiltbeaters]

A way I found around the file limit on Etsy is to compress it all into a zip folder. From there you can just about fit as much as you need!
I do agree with what is said. I have been selling on Etsy for about a year now. The fees are a bit ridiculous especially when hit with the marketing fee... I had one order where I only made $0.61 because of the fees on something with a 40% mark up....crazy. That being said, I have also had a decently successful shop in my first year and that wouldn't have been as easily accessible without Etsy

Do you have any advice on Amazon Handmade?

[d-rail]

The same applies to selling any products on eBay, Amazon, etc. Good place to get started but have a plan for how you're going to transition to also having a real business that's independent of them.

[IvanJoel]

I started selling in Etsy a few months ago. I made a super nitch item and marketed well outside of Etsy to this new market. But now I see two copy cats, down to the types of pictures and videos they put. Its so discuraging. Etsy doesnt support creative sellers bringing value to their platform.

[frool]

Are you sure about 0:59? At least in my country you have a sales contract with the seller, not Etsy. It's the same as on Amazon Marketplace. You still have to care about the legality of your shop, product safety, warranties, returns and so on. Etsy only helps in closing the contract, payment and communication.