Comments on: ArtFire – Handmade Sellers Review the Website

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 14:22:19 +0000

I have to strongly disagree with you Meredith. Im sorry you had a bad experience but I’ve been with them since the beginning and they’ve always answered back within a 1-2days which I dont think is too unreasonable. Firstly you say “to import your etsy transactions”? We’ll that’s not was the tool is for so maybe that’s why it didnt work. lol. The tool is to import items that are CURRENTLY for sale in your etsy shop… not things that have sold “transactions”…… I personally believe they made the right thing in not refunding you the money because at the end of the day YOU might have upgraded solely because you wanted to use global importer tool BUT that’s not the only thing you received when you upgraded ALOT of new tools were up to you which I’m sure you used so why should they refund , I’m not Maybe you’re experience was a one off.

Since the beginning artfire has actually “listened” to the customers/sellers and have gradually improved month after month.. If you were to go check them out now their forum is stunning and very well organized.

They ARENT perfect but they are striving to get there in IMOP . I like etsy too but I feel more like “family” at artfire old timers(been at artfire since the begining) like myself try very hard to take an active role on making newbies feel welcomed and Im not just saying to drop by “say welcome” and never help them or speak to that person again. Sellers are VERY supportive to one another and THAT is why I love artfire and kind of tolerate etsy’s behavior from sellers and buyer and admin alike.

The only real reason I stay with etsy is A) the more exposure my company gets the better for me.. It’s not up to me to play referee.
B) And let’s face it I’ve been there since 2006! So ALL my new customers and old know I’m there… it’s my bread and butter.

But why wouldn’t you list your stuff IN ALL VENUES POSSIBLE??? Do you not want the exposure?? It’s a bit silly to limit yourself ESPECIALLY if you are serious about making your small business succeed.. Like they say “you get out what you put in”

So make decisions based on what’s best for you.. Not what’s best for another.

By: Meredith

Meredith — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 18:40:37 +0000

Had the WORST experience with this company, they do NOT look out for their customers. First of all it takes at least 5 days to get a response from them. Secondly, I upgraded to the $12 account in order to import my etsy transactions. It didn’t work, they got all jumbled, the titles went with the wrong descriptions & pics. I emailed asking for help. Response was they were workingon the problem. This was the whole reason I upgraded it. I then asked for a refund since it was useless to have the upgraded account. DENIED, said since it was just a problem with ME and not with everyone they wouldn’t even consider refunding. This is terrible customer service, AVOID this site at all costs.

By: TheRichAnt

TheRichAnt — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 21:42:23 +0000

I have have both accounts. I had my Etsy account first since June 2008 and I have just recently openned my Artfire account. I have made 5 sales in the last six moths on Etsy which I think has been mainly because I have finally sat down and started to really promote and network. I opened my Artfire account not even a whole month and have had 2 sales. My only complaints with Etsy is how we can’t promote in our profile our other locations unless its on Etsy. Second would be the listing process is a bit tedious. Artfire I’m still learning but I like that I have sold items so quickly after opening my shop. However I don’t care for their forum set up either.
I also like that Artfire allows instant links to your blog, facebook, twitter etc etc. And allows multiple options for forms of payment outside of PayPal. I would never do check or money order for online services.

So I like them both and will continue to work them both through social media networking. Hope this helps.

By: susan fyfe

susan fyfe — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 16:47:35 +0000

I am paying the $12.00 per month on artfire. I am also on etsy. They are both new to me so I can’t compare sales yet. The one thing that etsy has set up better is the forums and chat rooms. They are a bit more complicated on artfire. I do like listing on artfire and the way it is set up.

By: Elizabeth

Elizabeth — Mon, 18 May 2009 15:57:31 +0000

I would actually like to correct the first quoted paragraph of your article. As an Artfire seller ( I have been on there for approximately 3 months now). There payment plan was $7.00 for first 5000, then $12.00 (not auto $20.00 like stated), THEN after another certain time frame/new sellers it looks like they will go up to $20.00 at that point.