Listing identical items on Etsy and another Web site
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Original Post
I was sure there was a rule against listing for sale one-of-a-kind items in you Etsy shop and on another Web site, but I have searched the Terms of Service and the Dos and Don'ts and can't find it. I did see a reference to not including a link on Etsy to a site where you can buy the identical items at a lower cost, but that is not what I am asking about. I know it has always been okay to have photos of items on another site if you can't buy them there, and if you have multiples of the same piece, it is okay to list on additional sites, but I can't find anything about listing OOAK items on Etsy and elsewhere. So, what is the rule and where can I find it?
Posted at 11:10am Aug 7, 2007 EDT
Responses
I think there is something about it, just can't find it. So, giving this a bump up...
Posted at 11:15am Aug 7, 2007 EDT
i don't think it's a rule. just something you should not do, because you could sell the piece in both places at the same time. then you would have a mad customer.
Posted at 11:19am Aug 7, 2007 EDT
I've seen one of a kind items posted here and on mintd. Should they be flagged?
Posted at 11:21am Aug 7, 2007 EDT
There is no rule, but it is a major risk that you are taking. Like what zaennabanana said, if you sold on both places, you will have a mad customer.
Posted at 11:22am Aug 7, 2007 EDT
There is no rule I can find against it. It is just a risk you take. I know I have had items for sale at fairs and forgot to put that my shop was closed and I could have potentially sold the same item twice.
It could have been disasterous. I don't think it's any one's responsibility other then the sellers though. I don't think anyone should flag it.
Posted at 11:28am Aug 7, 2007 EDT
You can sell your things wherever you want, neither etsy nor any other website can tell you where you're allowed to sell your things. You just take the risk if it sells somewhere else and on etsy at the same time (not likely though I suppose if you watch both places carefully :).
Posted at 11:28am Aug 7, 2007 EDT
You are allowed to do it as long as your etsy shop is not linked to your website. I do it and my website is not advertised on etsy, it is a chance in a million that the same item would sell at the same time on both sites. I have never had it happen.
Posted at 11:30am Aug 7, 2007 EDT
I would second Thaidreams - you just have to watch your items very carefully and remove them from other sites as soon as they sell here or vice versa :)
Posted at 11:31am Aug 7, 2007 EDT