Does Etsy issue all staff members and Admin Handbook? If not, why?
This topic has been closed.
This discussion is public.
Original Post
This is a serious question.
Since I joined Etsy back in 2006, I have witnessed a number of instances of admin in the fora dispensing conflicting policy and rule clarifications on a variety of topics and issues. This happens not only publicly, but also in private communications between members and admin. It is inexcusable.
All admin need to be familiar with and well-versed on *every* official Etsy position. They should know exactly what is covered in the TOU, D&Ds, Forum Guidelines, etc. They should know which rules are non-negotiable, and which have grey areas. Policy is not the place for creative interpretation, personal opinion, or casual interaction. And, if an admin doesn't know the iron-clad answer, he/she should either refrain from posting, or if an admin wants to let the members know that the issue has caught Etsy's attention, he/she should respond that a definitive answer will be forthcoming. In the case of private e-mails and convos, if the admin doesn't know the answer, the matter should be forwarded to someone who does. Answers and the application of rules should be consistent - not vary according to which member is asking, or which admin is responding.
Etsy admin need to be on the same page. But some don't even appear to be reading the same book.
This is *not* a criticism of any individual admin, by the way. I know them to be enthusiastic, sincere individuals who do their level best to address member concerns. But this *is* a criticism of EtsyCorp for not providing adequate, consistent information and training.
Please, Etsy. No more confusion. This should have been dealt with the very first time a conflicting set of responses was given to an Etsy member - years ago.
Posted at 2:05pm Jan 7, 2010 EST
Responses
Interesting point, but I really doubt they'll share their HR tactics/policies with us.
If the Admin have to read the same exact things we do (TOU's...), then you'd think we'd all be on the same page.
Don't know why it's so hard and confusing to get one set of concrete answers...
Posted at 2:13pm Jan 7, 2010 EST
I can understand why there seems to be a 'make-it-up-as-you-go' atmosphere, with us all being the artsy people we are (includes admin)... and maybe that was even ok for a while.
But now that just doesn't cut it for this massive international site. There's gotta be something concrete here. Even playing field. All on the same page.
Posted at 2:18pm Jan 7, 2010 EST
Part of the difficulty comes when the site & the employees are new & inexperienced (please note that I did NOT say 'young': that has nothing to do with this) ~ the tendency is to make up the rules as they go along and as they are needed.
And, as the new business Etsy was, with new employees, new TOU, new ... everything ... that was only to be expected.
However.
When you are four years into it and are dealing with your customers' incomes & livelihoods, seat-of-your-hand-crafted-pants decision-making is simply unprofessional.
The people Etsy puts on the Front Line of the Forum *must* know the TOU.
The Admin who write/proof articles for the official Etsy Publications and the Admin who put forward shops & listings in Etsy's marketing efforts (the Storque, Twitter) should no longer be making the sophomoric errors of including open TOU violators in their efforts.
Etsy is now well beyond tolerance of such errors. Sure, I have no doubt that errors will slip by once in a while but there should be immediate & unequivocal apology, correction or removal of the offense.
We're not kids *playing* shop here. These are people's livelihoods and, as such, should be treated with respect, consistency and, yes, fairness.
Posted at 2:19pm Jan 7, 2010 EST
