Etsy's Handmade Blog
Survey Says: We Want to Hear from International Sellers
Story by muka
Published on January 22, 2009 in Etsy News 		Photo by

irenesuchocki

UPDATE: The International Seller Survey closes at midnight EST January 23, 2009.  Please take the survey if you haven't already. We want to hear from our international sellers!

Greetings!  As a new Etsy employee focusing on internationalization, I've had a great first couple weeks, highlighted by the opportunity to speak with about a dozen Etsy sellers from around the globe. (Many of their shops are featured below!) Everyone was super nice and very helpful in sharing ideas and suggestions on how to make the selling experience even better. 

From these conversations, we've put together a brief survey (which takes about 5-6 minutes to complete) focusing on issues unique to international sellers.  The survey will be open through next Friday, January 23, 2009.  If you are a seller who runs your business from outside the U.S., you are eligible to take the survey.  People with whom I spoke, and those of you on a geography-based Team outside the U.S.,  should also receive notice about the survey by email.  We'd love to hear from as many sellers from outside the U.S. as possible, so please spread the word and link to this post!

Click HERE to take the International Seller Survey.

Once we compile the data we'll come back to you with the highlights about what we learned.  As always, thanks for your insight!

Cheers,

Liz aka Muka

Tags business, data, geographic location, information, international, local teams, muka, nationality, selling, statistics, survey
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117 comments     Login to add your own!

Jan. 14, 2009 at 5:21 p.m. siiri

Thank you very much! I am off to check the survey.

Jan. 14, 2009 at 5:21 p.m. deleteyourself

Yay! I'm glad to see this:)

Jan. 14, 2009 at 5:31 p.m. LaveMeSoapCo

i ♥ international sellers

Jan. 14, 2009 at 5:32 p.m. Snowberrylime

ohhh, perfect! I am so glad to see this addressed and will definitely take the survey. :)

Jan. 14, 2009 at 5:35 p.m. ptitebaloue

Let's do this :)

Jan. 14, 2009 at 5:38 p.m. roselabiche

I'm not an international seller as I'm based out here in the US but my handmade producst are proudly made by my international (French) hands!!
Really exited to see more international sellers here - and see that the word is being spread about ETSY abroad!

Jan. 14, 2009 at 5:38 p.m. jodieflowers

I love international sellers and buyers! Always welcome!

Jan. 14, 2009 at 5:40 p.m. ArtMind

Done! Thanks for taking the time to listen to our thoughts! :) Goodluck on your new adventure, Liz! :)

Jan. 14, 2009 at 5:40 p.m. quirke

I am so glad to hear Etsy is taking an interest in international sellers. We appreciate it very much!

Jan. 14, 2009 at 5:45 p.m. zoewoods

Thank you, have done

Jan. 14, 2009 at 5:47 p.m. annejulie

so glad to see a survey about International sellers and their thoughts! Thank you so much for the interest :)

Jan. 14, 2009 at 5:56 p.m. MicroCirqueRinka

thanks on behalf of all of us international sellers... I DO love Etsy very much, but I honestly got here by chance and it's pretty unknown here in France...

LET'S MAKE ETSY WORLDWIDE TOGETHER!! <3

Jan. 14, 2009 at 5:58 p.m. MicroCirqueRinka

hey, what about a special INTERNATIONAL FEATURING section?

Jan. 14, 2009 at 6:02 p.m. britishcreamtea

done ;)

Jan. 14, 2009 at 6:02 p.m. earlybirdcreations

Thanks for providing this...off to check it out!

Jan. 14, 2009 at 6:04 p.m. capturedimagination

Just completed the survey, hope it helps! I would say that at least 20% of my sales are shipped to international buyers.

Jan. 14, 2009 at 6:06 p.m. rainbowrevolution

This is great news. I am off to take the survey now!

Jan. 14, 2009 at 6:08 p.m. raycious

Done.I'm hoping that we can choose own currency...

Jan. 14, 2009 at 6:09 p.m. ScarletteRoseFairy

Me too!! off to do the survey, all the way from Australia! X.x.

Jan. 14, 2009 at 6:12 p.m. secretjewellz

Here's another Aussie, off to do the survey.

Jan. 14, 2009 at 6:21 p.m. cherbie

did it!!! thank you! : )

Jan. 14, 2009 at 6:26 p.m. redrubyrose

Excellent stuff, cheers Liz :)

Jan. 14, 2009 at 6:29 p.m. MonAmiGreetings

Done! (Canada counts as international, right?) :)

Jan. 14, 2009 at 6:32 p.m. InspirationPoint

How nice to see a special consideration for international sellers!

Jan. 14, 2009 at 6:37 p.m. FlanneryCrane

I will also check this out. I have always had great international customers...Thank you!

Jan. 14, 2009 at 6:45 p.m. gretchenmist

have completed this. thanks so much for working on this!
hope you are enjoying your new job :)

Jan. 14, 2009 at 6:51 p.m. realisationcreations

Fantastic - off to check it out now...

Jan. 14, 2009 at 6:52 p.m. timesandchimes

Thank goodness for international buyers and sellers! The spice of Etsy! The variety of Life!

Jan. 14, 2009 at 7:24 p.m. Marzipana818

All of my dealings and the merchandise I've recieved from International Etsy sellers has been stellar! Glad to see that Etsy sees far beyond the US borders!

Jan. 14, 2009 at 8:26 p.m. AnnaDenise

Done! Thanks for doing this!

Jan. 14, 2009 at 9:19 p.m. annamatic

Thanks so much for doing this! I think it's time for Etsy to go worldwide... ^_^

Jan. 14, 2009 at 9:30 p.m. bunnyboutique

Thanks ETSY, for always looking out for all your members. I'm on the other side of the world, in the land down under, Oz, Australia ;)
Off to complete the survey now.

Jan. 14, 2009 at 9:31 p.m. VintagePaperParade

Thi sis great. Thanks for doing this. Off to do the survey.

Jan. 14, 2009 at 9:59 p.m. peppermac

How nice is etsy?! Worrying about us internationals fitting in. :-) If etsy were a country, it would have the best immigration policies around. Thanks muka!

Jan. 14, 2009 at 10:06 p.m. SPUNKbyCM

taking it now o.O

Jan. 14, 2009 at 10:15 p.m. dragonhouseofyuen

Thank you for this survey - it was a pleasure adding my 2 pence (can you tell I'm from Scotland??)

I look forward to reading the Storque article!

Jan. 14, 2009 at 10:45 p.m. YuraPockylover

i took the survey ^^ great job

Jan. 14, 2009 at 10:59 p.m. GalleryJuana

I am a seller in Japan. Thank you for putting the survey together.

Jan. 15, 2009 at 12:13 a.m. HodJewelry

i would take this survey as well

Jan. 15, 2009 at 1:22 a.m. theaxx

Australia is high in the stakes t seems. I'm a sydney-sider in oz. Have taken the survey etc.

I love the fact that etsy DOES allow for international sales. I think it makes the products and creations so much more diverse, exotic and enticing!

What a lovely place to explore the creative crafting WORLD... Thanks Etsy!!

Jan. 15, 2009 at 3:48 a.m. Sinta

Yay, you care about us international sellers ^_^

Jan. 15, 2009 at 4:10 a.m. alibli

I'll do it right now!

Jan. 15, 2009 at 4:14 a.m. Kanlayanee

Thanks for doing this!. I 'm a seller in Thailand.

Jan. 15, 2009 at 5:38 a.m. bijouxboutique

I have done it, thanks for caring about us too!

Jan. 15, 2009 at 5:54 a.m. EmmaGordonLondon

I've just completed the survey. Happy to help from here in sunny England!

Jan. 15, 2009 at 6:35 a.m. sophiestansfield

Thanks for asking for our input! :)

Jan. 15, 2009 at 6:49 a.m. Chianne

I just took the survey. I'm a seller from Cornwall in England. Its great to know that Etsy values our imput as much as the local sellers.

Jan. 15, 2009 at 7:02 a.m. Silvia66

Done! Thank you from Italy!

Jan. 15, 2009 at 7:07 a.m. danugs

Hi, I am from Brazil.
I will check the survey. Great idea!

Jan. 15, 2009 at 7:20 a.m. Bumpkin

I'm delighted to see this survey, as a British seller living in Belgium I'd certainly like to see europe added as a location for postage costs. Just off to take the survery :)

Jan. 15, 2009 at 7:24 a.m. MonjioCreations

Thanks for including us!

Jan. 15, 2009 at 7:51 a.m. therainbowroom

Nothing like a good survey : ) Hooray for the big wide world!!!

Jan. 15, 2009 at 8:07 a.m. dangerousmezzo

Thanks for the thought, but this survey is just about useless. It doesn't address any of the problems that international sellers (like me) have been trying to bring to Etsy's attention for years. None of them.

Translation? Shipping types? Whether we've bought a Showcase?

I'm not sure what the agenda was for this, but it isn't about making the site more friendly for international buyers or sellers.

Liz -- please check the Fora. You don't need to look at the tiny results from a skewed survey that only a few people will ever fill out. On the Fora you will see two main threads begging for your attention (perhaps even a visit from you!) Please state the currency of the site clearly in all places and please let all buyers filter search results that cannot be shipped to their countries.

Do that, and you'll go a long way to solving the problems of international buyers and sellers.

Thanks!

Jan. 15, 2009 at 8:12 a.m. jewelzodonnell

Thank you so much for this opportunity!

Jan. 15, 2009 at 9:01 a.m. arcticcircles

Thanks so much for making us international sellers feel part of the etsy community. I'm off to do the survey....

Jan. 15, 2009 at 9:47 a.m. meeabee

It's a great start and I am looking forward to the developments that will come from this. Thanks Liz!

Jan. 15, 2009 at 10:24 a.m. virsaq

Done...and thanks a lot for the opportunity...hopefully Etsy will go more global in the coming years...

Jan. 15, 2009 at 10:31 a.m. lilumi

i believe etsy will save the planet someday! you guys are awesome and I believe you work harder than the president! you're taking care of everything diligently! love you guys!

Jan. 15, 2009 at 11:51 a.m. pouch

just completed it :)

Jan. 15, 2009 at 12:21 p.m. Artistico

just complited

Jan. 15, 2009 at 1:10 p.m. SoapRevolution

Just did it! And it was a good little survey. However I did add one 'problem' in the comments because I face this issue A LOT.

In Canada the postage for shipping within Canada is a LOT higher than shipping internationally. Why? Well Canada Post instituted a 2cm rule, meaning ANY ITEM that is thicker than 2cm automatically becomes Small Packet Parcel Post and not regular post. So for instance shipping from Quebec, a soap to the USA would be $2.75 and to Ontario it would be $5.50. That is a HUGE difference, and not understood by Canadians, as it is assumed shipping from Canada to Canada should be cheaper, but it really isn't. If anyone is curious about the whole thing, they can check out Canada Post's website at: http://www.canadapost.ca/offerings/le...

I have been accused of trying to rip off my Canadian customers, but really I am only trying to cover my shipping costs, and when they get their items they realize that the postage really was as much as was tated, or even more. And rarely charge actual postage because it is different for every Provence and town, so I usually pay the diff out of pocket.

It truly is a stupid thing that Canada Post did, but unfortunately there is no getting around it, and therefore my Canadian Customers get the brunt of the shipping fees.

I just wish there was more awareness of this issue. I hate leaving people thinking that they are being "ripped off" by a seller when it truly is not the case.

Jan. 15, 2009 at 1:34 p.m. limitz

Thank you ETSY for maling this survey! I filled it up and am passing it on to all my fellow Israeli Sellers.

Jan. 15, 2009 at 2:04 p.m. giusypatch

thank you for this survey! just done!

Jan. 15, 2009 at 2:13 p.m. brownbunnybyiris

Thanks Liz, I'm very happy you are doing this survey for us etsians, outside of the US! We are very thankful that etsy cares so much about us! It was such a pleasure to talk to you!

Jan. 15, 2009 at 2:20 p.m. CutieDynamite

Fantastic! I LOVE selling to international buyers!

Jan. 15, 2009 at 2:25 p.m. JulieWebb

Thanks for the survey, I look forward to seeing what comes of it! :)

Jan. 15, 2009 at 3:34 p.m. AlgaNet

Done. Thank you to keep us in mind.

Jan. 15, 2009 at 3:53 p.m. Illusio

I went, I read, I voted..
xx

Jan. 15, 2009 at 4:05 p.m. ARTBYDONNAROSE

I live in the US
but
I have purchased, sold and traded with ones from other countries.

Jan. 15, 2009 at 4:11 p.m. Rejina

done :o)

Jan. 15, 2009 at 6:26 p.m. LAMdesigns

Done, but isn't it somewhat long overdue?

Jan. 15, 2009 at 7:34 p.m. MGMart

Thanks for the article Liz. Just done the survey :)
Marianna

Jan. 15, 2009 at 11:58 p.m. BluCille

Those decals are pretty cool! And I like the nest ring.

Jan. 16, 2009 at 12:10 a.m. muka

Hello everyone. Thanks for all the comments and suggestions -- and for taking the survey!

Please know that we are following the various threads about the US $, currency conversion, and the like, and are definitely aware of these issues (and appreciate the suggestions for various solutions!). There were a ton of possible questions we could have asked but wanted to keep it short/quick and hope to get some great new learning to make Etsy an even better place for sellers and buyers around the world.

Thanks again and have a great weekend--some of you are probably close to saying "TGIF" on Friday afternoon!

Jan. 16, 2009 at 3:08 a.m. felicitycrew

thank you etsy for including us internationals into the community! i look forward to seeing the outcomes of the survey!

Jan. 16, 2009 at 3:17 a.m. littlemoandfriends

thanks for the survey guys! I'm also part of the australian sellers here on etsy!

Hopefully some of the issues/solutions/suggestions will be put to good use in making etsy a really international friendly site for both sellers and buyers!!

Jan. 16, 2009 at 3:42 a.m. SusanRodio

I am in Australia and so far 90% of my customers are from overseas *heads off to do survey*

Jan. 16, 2009 at 5:22 a.m. zone

Thanks for the survey I will go and do it straight away

Jan. 16, 2009 at 5:36 a.m. FascinatingHobbies

Hi to all Etsy members from Paris France. Very happy to look at this survey and to discover members around the world with their wonderfull work.
I am new - last october - but I already dealed with US, australian and europeen members very friendly, its was a pleasure.
Thanks for your help on international sellers and buyers, long life and success to Etsy, good health and happiness for 2009 warm reegards

Jan. 16, 2009 at 6:23 a.m. modesign

I just done the survey, i hope it helps. I live in Poland and my experience with international buyers and sellers is always great!So wish you good luck Everybody-sellers and buyers in this New Year!

Jan. 16, 2009 at 9:09 a.m. stringmealong

Etsy: Thank you so much for considering the unique issues that international sellers face. Although I am right next door in Canada, there are many things that I need to take into consideration such as currency fluctuations, shipping etc, each time I list an item. Anything that can be done to help make the process quicker and more efficient would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you!

Jan. 16, 2009 at 10:39 a.m. Iammie

Oh, Etsy around the world!

Jan. 16, 2009 at 11:41 a.m. MiliJewels

I done it and I hope it will help! Thank you!

Jan. 16, 2009 at 12:29 p.m. AnthologiE

I am SOOOOOO glad to have the opportunity to see work and purchase from international sellers. I love styles and art from all over the world. It's such a pleasure to buy directly from the artist -- without a doubt you know you're doing the right thing, instead of having to wonder just how and under what conditions your purchase was made/produced. I can't say enough good things about Etsy's focus on going global!!

Jan. 16, 2009 at 2:41 p.m. LoriCitsay

Why does shipping from US to Canada take longer than from US to Australia???

Jan. 16, 2009 at 3:04 p.m. hanginmoon

Hungry

Jan. 16, 2009 at 3:21 p.m. rubywren29

Ooh I'm so pleased to read this article and that etsy are considering us international sellers! Off to answer that survey now :)

Jan. 16, 2009 at 5:17 p.m. pearlswirl

I completed it and thought the questions addressed some good issues. In the "improvements" section, I suggested a special section in the Storque devoted specifically to international sellers and buyers, and the issues of interest to us, for example, rapidly fluctuating exchange rates, how to deal with more expensive shipping (ie. should we cover part of the cost), and interesting articles on internationality.

It could have a list of specific etsy words translated into other languages for non-Native English speakers (ie. What a treasury is, what a showcase is, etc.) Maybe also a section on how to proceed through an etsy purchase, from search to checkout, translated into other languages. Many non-English speakers might be interested in becoming part of the etsy world but may find it too daunting to actually take part.

I would love to contribute "internationality" articles and would be happy to do some translating into French.

Jan. 17, 2009 at 12:58 p.m. muka

Thanks for that suggestion pearlswirl! My guess is the Storque team already saw your post it but I'll be sure to pass it along just in case.

Jan. 17, 2009 at 1:48 p.m. tostoini

I took the survey but I forgot to say the most important thing in the survey! I'd really, really appreciate to see also prices in euro on etsy. It can be really useful for all customers from europe (and they're a lot of people..)

Jan. 17, 2009 at 3:07 p.m. intrigued

done :)

Jan. 17, 2009 at 7:24 p.m. aj1801aj

This is a great idea. I am about to take the survey and will check back in once completed.

Jan. 17, 2009 at 7:35 p.m. aj1801aj

I found the survey very useful and hopefully a start to many more things to come on this subject.

Jan. 17, 2009 at 9:48 p.m. tatchy

very good idea!!!
thanks a lot!!!!
kisses for all...

Jan. 18, 2009 at 10 a.m. akinamina

Done!Thanks a lot!

Jan. 21, 2009 at 9:41 a.m. Timeless

I especially liked question no. 19; are people in your country used to receiving parcels in the mail (or words to that effect). Yes, they are. The Royal Mail has been around for 350 years, people are quite, quite used to receiving parcels through the mail thankyouverymuch....

This survey did not even scratch the surface of the problems non-US sellers face here on Etsy, even though we have been telling you about our problems for years now. I often feel international sellers here on Etsy are not seen, and only thought of as an after thought.

Jan. 21, 2009 at 9:43 a.m. Timeless

Oh, and if you wanted people to know about this, maybe emailing everyone or all international sellers would have been a good idea...

Jan. 21, 2009 at 9:12 p.m. strawberrycouture

I LOVE catering to the international buyers. Especially those who heart my shop. This way I know they exist.

Jan. 22, 2009 at 3:08 a.m. Glitzer

Done the international survey! Love the idea!

Jan. 22, 2009 at 4:17 a.m. Leeya

i have been spreading the word all over Israel!

Jan. 22, 2009 at 11:04 a.m. Happyfairytale

I'm internationall Seller so I will do the survey!

Jan. 22, 2009 at 12:03 p.m. vantiani

Dear etsy,

terimakasih banyak sekali untuk surveinya!
(thank you so much for this survey!)

Vantiani from Jakarta,Indonesia

Jan. 22, 2009 at 12:05 p.m. SparkleMe

I took the survey.

Jan. 22, 2009 at 12:58 p.m. SoapRevolution

LoriCitsay: The issue is the border! From the US to Canada or vice versa it is always longer because of the large volume of parcels crossing over every day and since 9-11 they have gotten a lot more vigilant about checking everything that goes back and forth. It is a pain in the butt because my stuff takes about 10 business days (on average) to get to the USA. Sometimes longer if it is way down south out out west. It is just the way it is now.

Jan. 22, 2009 at 4:12 p.m. AnvilArtshop

Took the survey -- thanks for taking the time to reach out to international sellers. Globalization is here to stay! :)

Jan. 22, 2009 at 4:17 p.m. raegunfabric

excited for the results and in love with the related items, they are so pretty

Jan. 22, 2009 at 8:17 p.m. WingsDove

I love that Etsy is International and I have bought from sellers outside of the US. I just wish the exchange rate was in my favor! :-)

Jan. 22, 2009 at 9:04 p.m. haannh

Done surveying!

Jan. 23, 2009 at 12:04 a.m. rosiemusic

I took the survey! It was fun : )
Gracias!
greetings from Mexico.

Jan. 24, 2009 at 12:58 a.m. felt4u

Interesting and fun to complete the Survey- from Elaine and Elana in Israel

Jan. 26, 2009 at 9:29 a.m. designbynihan

ooops great idea!!!! i will absolutely take the survey now ;)

Jan. 26, 2009 at 9:53 a.m. zahidshams

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Jan. 26, 2009 at 10:58 a.m. muka

Merci, gracias, obrigado, danke, dank je, tack, toda, arigato, koh-mahp-soom-ni-da, shyieh shyieh, thanks, etc. to all 1580 of you who took the survey! We're just beginning to analyze the enormous amount of data, but I can tell you that people from 67 countries participated - how great is that?!

Jan. 28, 2009 at 4:50 a.m. rivieragirl

I seem to have missed the survey (so sorry) such a great idea. However, I will be taking part if there is another one. Merci, thank you.

Feb. 6, 2009 at 2:56 p.m. ALEALE

hello from Czech Republic !

Feb. 18, 2009 at 9:53 a.m. CreativeMaster

Hello from Ukraine!!!

March 8, 2009 at 7:21 p.m. Birkh

Hello from São Paulo, Brazil!!!

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