Etsy Tests Seller Sentiment On Potential Listing Fee Increase, Monthly Subscription In New Survey
The Etsy seller community is abuzz with speculation after a supposedly leaked survey raises the possibility of a listing fee increase and monthly subscription plans for listings.
Details about the survey were posted in a private Facebook group for Etsy sellers, but the rumors have quickly spread to the community forum, with some sellers expressing concern and others saying they'll wait until it's actually announced before they worry.
From the "Etsy Sellers Only" Facebook Group:
"Anyone gets the Etsy new Survey? It seems that Etsy is working on seller monthly subscription fee. All free versions Etsy proposes is $0.40 listing fee, instead of $0.20 right now. Sellers will have to pay a monthly fee to get the $0.20 listing fee. Also, they are considering different tier with different number of listings allowed per month. This is getting too crazy."
Another seller said they saw reference to the same survey in another group, with the options offered in the survey being a free tier with a minimal 5 listings per month or paid subscription tiers at $5, $15, 04 $20 per month.
I haven’t seen the fb page linked by the OP, but in another fb group someone has mentioned the options are a free tier with 5 listings per month or a paid subscription with more listings but a fee of $5, $15 or $20 per month.
Many sellers aptly noted this is similar to how eBay handles listing fees and store subscriptions, so they would not be surprised if this does eventually come to pass as CEO Josh Silverman previously worked at eBay and is known for taking more than one page out of his former-employer's playbook in his time leading Etsy.
eBay provides 250 free listings a month and charges $0.35/per additional listing for most sellers without a subscription plus tiers with additional listings/monthly cost for store subscribers.
If Etsy is actually considering a move in this direction, they'll need to be much more generous with the free tier and provide real value in the paid tiers to stay competitive with listing costs on other platforms.
Some sellers speculate Etsy is testing the waters on ways to increase fees due to pressure from activist investor Elliott Management recently taking a 13% stake in the company and a seat on the board.
While Etsy has yet to get the same public callout eBay received from Elliott in 2019, it's a good bet Silverman is feeling the full weight of their involvement breathing down his neck - especially after yesterday's Q4 2023 earnings results.
It's too early to say whether anything will come from this survey or what Etsy plans to do in the future, but sellers are holding their breath and preparing for the very likely possibility of a fee increase in one form or another "coming soon."
How would these potential changes to listing fees on Etsy impact your business? What price tiers and number of listings would convince you to sign up for a monthly subscription? Let us know in the comments below!
