We understand why Etsy removes Electronics projects | Hacker News Reader

We understand why Etsy removes Electronics projects

tindie.com

85 pointsjewelia19 comments

I'm the guy who got removed from Etsy.

I want to start by saying I think Tindie is awesome and that I've known about it for quite some time. There's a reason that I don't sell my products there and it's because I literally do put them together by hand. I don't use a pick and place machine, reflow soldering techniques, or order in batches of 10,000. I build unique instruments for unique people.

I don't mean to draw a comparison between my skills and those of the Haute couture sewers and needlework types or even suggest that we should install some kind of massive institution for overseeing what is and what isn't "hand made," but only to say there is a line and for the most part it's pretty obvious who's on what side.

There are very unique and laborious products for sale on Tindie, I don't think there is a requirement to produce in batches or minimum sales: https://www.tindie.com/shopping/category/robots/

I appreciate this, but it's very simply a matter of being associated with something "artsy" or "techy."

I don't think Etsy is necessarily wrong overall - I think they just weren't clear in what they did or did not want in their market. I also think it was badly handled on their part - it seems like they could have communicated their concerns without making it sound like a cheap interrogation.

Lastly, from an outsider POV, Etsy doesn't really seem like the ideal place to put up a synthesizer shop anyway. If I was looking for electronics of any kind, I wouldn't be looking there (although, since I'm not really in the market for a synth right now, I'm not sure where else I'd be looking, either).

Sorry to be pedantic: 'sewers' transport human waste. Tailors and seamstresses are people who make their living sewing/mending garments.

The "handmade enough" argument can be applied to Etsy's more typical products as well. How handmade is a T-Shirt? Does the seller buy pre-made fabric or weave it themselves? Do they spin their yarn and thread or buy in in rolls? Do they forge metal buttons themselves? All of Etsy's products are in some way or another just a combination of other mass produced goods.

While I do agree with you - i think it's fair to say that Etsy have opted to focus more on the crafts side of goods (at least that's the impression their site gave me). While it is a great pity for the electronics goods that get rejected, it is still Etsy's business and their choice. Thankfully there is other options for the goods that Etsy choose not to adopt.

Then they need to rework their rules. Fine if they want to focus on crafts, but they shouldn't be throwing out people based on "not handmade" and then allow 250,000 types of "fabric". Most likely 99% of which are not handmade. http://www.etsy.com/search/supplies/fabric

their rules include "supplies," which include fabric. I have bought fabric on Etsy, both new stuff and vintage. (I have yet to buy handwoven fabric on Etsy, but it's just not my style.)

What's a definition of "supplies"? Keyboards + Monitors + Hard Drives + Motherboards + Cases are supplies for Computer Systems. Musical Keyboards + Cables + Stands are supplies for a band.

I saw someone mentioned tindie.com in the other thread regarding this particular electronics project. Seems like someone over at tindie noticed, nicely done.

We did thanks!

Bravo, Tindie! Self-promotion without making anyone out to be a bad guy in this issue (I mean that sincerely).

I couldn't agree more. They saw an opportunity to gain exposure and took it yet still managed to present themselves in a way that was neither exploitative nor full of FUD (i know - i hate that term as well).

I wish more businesses conducted themselves this way.

Good for them, but I wish I hadn't wasted time clicking on their self-promotion.

Good move. I'd love to see tindie get more exposure.

The last time I bought "maker" electronics from someone it involved finding a years-old forum post via Google and arranging the sale via email + paypal.

I can make you some transistors from scratch. Seriously, I have enough equipment in my garage (and at work). But you'd be an idiot to buy them, and I'd be an idiot to try and make money like that. But who knows? Maybe audiophiles would pay enough to make a living. Fnord's Transistor Boutique - The World's Finest Bespoke Transistoria!

PS Tindie will be at Maker Faire Bay Area this weekend. Just look for us in Tindie T-shirts. We'd love to talk with you about your business.

Early on Etsy did the same thing to the vintage collectors. Shortly after they let them build their stores again, but it was all in the name of 'not handmade enough'.

Etsy needs to clarify the definition of craft and the difference between that and handmade. It's an important distinction that they've never set a policy to.

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