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this post was submitted on 18 Feb 2025
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follow brands and creators, not stores. shop directly from their sites or support local stores
As a small business owner (blacksmithing), I fully support this. However, about 85% of our business is through an Etsy storefront, about 10% through Amazon, with the remainder through our own site.
I'd appreciate advice on additional storefronts.
Ebay. I buy new and used things there fairly frequently.
Have you looked into selling to reenactors?
They seem willing to pay for handcrafted stuff.
Haven't focused on reenactors specifically. Most of our stuff is home furnishings. Hooks, plant hangers, curtain rods, pot rack bars, drawer pulls, joint braces for woodworking, fireplace hardware, decorative chains (like for chandeliers), etc.
Ren faire folks LOVE stuff like that, you should absolutely see if you have one nearby. If you're in the states, each state usually has one.
Most small creators do not have their own online stores. They depend on Amazon, eBay, Etsy, or some combination of the three
Ugh fuck Etsy. I used to sell on there. I'd make maybe $60 on a $100 item after their stupid fees
Great point. The limited times I have purchased from Amazon in recent history was accidentally in this manner. I think that purchasing directly from the creator's/company's website might send a message that some folks would like an alternative, but I don't know that. Either way, it is less amazon.
I think if the only way to buy from them is through Amazon and you have the option to buy it from their site via Amazon you should definitely still take it! Like you said, at the very least they’ll see more traffic going through their site and folks who would’ve probably bought with or without Amazon.
Agreed. Except for one time last fall, I knew it was going to happen and did it anyway, thru the company's website. That one company had their own portal and everything, didn't know it came from amazon until it arrived 🤷 I'll do it again! If I was selling stuff I am sure I would have to look at these few options out there.
Huh that’s interesting. I wonder if I’ve experienced this but didn’t notice
As a business it’s possible to use Amazon for fulfillment only so that you can sell anywhere and have it shipped by Amazon.
Many small creators also sell directly on social media. Unfortunately that's mostly corporate owned social media, but at least they dont typically get a cut of the sale.
Even still, local creators will often pop up at events and conventions and stuff. They may not have a permanent presence, but you can still often buy stuff from them in person if you keep up with where they'll be.
What social media are you talking about? If you’re talking about Facebook marketplace, they absolutely take a cut so it’s functionally the same thing.
These pop up events you are talking about are heavily concentrated in densely populated areas. If you have access you should absolutely take advantage of them but a LOT of people rarely have access.
From what I've seen, Instagram. I've never bought anything from Instagram so I'm not sure if it's a built-in function, or if they use something like messaging and Venmo.
Instagram takes 5% of the sale straight off the top
I never thought to look it up (since I don't use Instagram) but there is a way to set up a shop in Instagram and THAT is where Meta gets their cut.
All these years, I thought it was like some sort of Craigslist deal where people would advertise there but deal with payments in other ways. Oops.
All good. I do a lot of buying/selling of video game consoles and parts so I have a little more knowledge of these platforms than most.
The funny thing is Facebook marketplace is truly a Craigslist 2.0. It’s generally a great experience. I hate that zuck has control of it and I’m sure enshitification will hit it soon enough
I have always liked the concept of Facebook Marketplace, but the fact it was a Meta product made me not use it. The unfortunate side effect to Facebook Marketplace taking off was that Craigslist got a lot less listings. LetGo was pretty good for a while but OfferUp bought them and I haven't found any alternative quite as good since.
Doubly frustrating since Facebook is also the hub for many Buy Nothing groups. Oh well.
Yeah I really avoid it where I can and keep it as a marketplace of last resort - especially for local purchases where i can meet the person and pay cash and never use their platform for the actual commerce. Still, I want it to be 0% lol
And often a bit cheaper through outlets even if they do have their own store. Still, I'll pay a little extra to keep it in the family.
This is what I do too. I try to go directly to the source either online or in person
This is great advice.