It's Time To Get Off The Fence, Etsy

It's time to take a stand Etsy. You're running out of time.

On February 10, a law will come into effect in the U.S. forcing anyone who makes anything geared for a child under the age of 12 to test their product for lead content. It's a sweeping law that is too broad and is forcing small business out.

You can read more about the new CPSIA law on the Etsy forums if you're interested. Or go here for more information on the law.

I've yet to see a direct stance from Etsy in support of their sellers. Time after time they come into the forums and say yes, we hear you, yes we support you. But time after time I see those same sellers left to hang in defending actions that are supposedly approved by Etsy Admin.

One example being hypothetical pricing. Basically what some sellers have done is take an item in their shop and list it, with an explanation, at the price it will be after testing is done according to the new regulation. You can see an example of this type of listing here.

These listings have caused all kinds of wailing and gnashing of teeth on the forums. Some are for some are against them.

Admin, in one thread stated that the listings had to be taken down and then just a few pages later said leave them up until we have a meeting.

The meeting was held and apparently the shops were told they could keep said listings up until Jan 30.

No one else was told about this. So, people continue to wail and gnash their teeth, flag the item and so on.

All Etsy had to do was make an announcement that they were supportive of these listings until the time stated. That's it. That would have solved all sorts of heartache for everyone.

But no, they let their sellers hang over the weekend while they enjoyed themselves and worked up a Storque article that not everyone will read.

Seriously, Etsy Admin, it's time to stand up and state your position. Are you for or against it? This is tearing our beloved community apart. The poor sellers are left to fight this battle on their own with no public support from you.

Either you are for or against this Etsy. Which is it? We'd all love to know!