Sorry I supported local sellers

[Still1nLove]

I saw some nice personalised bits being sold by local sellers, I think mums making some money. They are on fb abs recommend by people I know.

Anyway, I’ve just opened them and I am disappointed. I bought 4 items from 2 sellers and there is a problem with each of them.

I bought two mini hand sanitiser bottles with my kids names on them. The letters are just stickers, I thought they would be printed somehow. One letter is torn and one letter is creased/crumpled. £2.50 each

I bought a cami-short set, beautiful colour and the lettering is perfect but there is a mark on the back of the shorts, it looks like something spilt, it’s about one inch square. £15

Finally, I bought a cushion which has stick figures wearing Christmas hats to represent each member of my family and our names under each character. But of the 6 figures, 2 are in the left and the other 4 are squashed on the right. £20

I feel I should contact the vendors and let them know, but what if they tell me to do one? Ideally I would want the items replaced, especially the cushion as looking at it is really annoying me and the off-centredness (not a real word, I know) is making me feel funny! But what if they say I’m to return the items for a refund and no replacement, I don’t dislike them that much. The vendors are a 20 minute drive from me.

Yabu- homemade stuff being sold on Facebook is usually tatt. Do you really expect a refund or replacement? Just suck it up and don’t make this mistake again.

Yanbu- all items being sold should be of a good/decent standard. You should contact the vendor and they should offer a replacement or refund.

Wouldn’t it have been wiser to just dip your toe in the water with a smaller purchase first off, rather than going all out?

I am not an expert but I don't think they are obliged to replace the items...someone may know better. I think they are obliged to either replace or refund. So I would get in touch with them for sure, but before you do decide if you'd rather keep the items as they are or return for a refund. To be honest they might say they will refund without return.

Ps. There might be small print about no return of personalised items but I don't think that should apply if the items are faulty

I would contact the sellers. The letters on the hand sanitiser should be been stuck on properly, it’s easy for the seller to fix. The clothing should have been clean and if the cushions were advertised with a different layout that’s how they should have been sold to you.

I’ve got a machine which can make all of the items you purchased and have noticed in various Facebook groups that people are buying the equipment thinking they can make a great business. So many people are posting absolute tat asking how much they should charge! I just use the machine for making my own personal tat

I wouldn't touch things like this with a barge pole. If I wanted to personalise sanitiser it wouldn't be expensive or I can get it in the garden centre for £3. These ideas aren't business viable and I've always wondered who buys this kind of toot.

Contact the sellers. If you don’t ask you won’t know. If they refuse to rectify it then leave an honest review.

The reason it's hard for craft makers to actually earn a living is that making things by hand is terrifically inefficient.

In all but the most unique, bespoke, highly skilled crafts, a machine made mass produced item will be both cheaper and better quality, often even as a personalised item. This is because the UK has a high cost of living so a craft persons time is simply expensive.

Photos needed

@switswooo

OMG if they tell you do to do one you go nuclear on them! Don't let them get away with it. Email them asap.

go nuclear on them? really?

or she could just respond appropriately, like a normal person. thats an option.

Sadly much of the stuff is tat, and often sellers are stealing other peoples pictures then selling stuff they make with the kit they bought online and no real skill.

You can try, but I suspect you'll be told by all the sellers that there's nothing they can do.

I love supporting small businesses, artists etc and regularly buy stuff from sites like Etsy and Redbubble. Ebay is also great for personalised gifts and nice craft bits and I have bought various items over the years and never been disappointed. Sellers are genuinely professional and the items can be fantastic.

Just avoid anything related to Facebook. That site seems to bring out the absolute worst in everyone and the fact that people are trying to get away with selling poor quality tat on there doesn't surprise me at all, unfortunately.

There seems to be a lot of sellers touting handmade stuff on FB at the moment and I wonder about the quality. There are a few in my networks. Suddenly all sharing 'support small business' 'buy local' and other such memes when they had no interest in supporting other small businesses or sharing such messages before they started selling their own stuff...

I'm sorry but if want decent stuff buy from a registered business, not someone trying to make a bit extra. My business competes with these people every day. Their products are substandard, they don't accept returns, they aren't compliant with the consumer contract regulations, they don't pay tax, and people wonder why I charge more! But as long as people like you buy from them, they will continue to peddle their shite.

I should add, I do support small businesses and don't have my own but like to see things in the flesh at craft fairs etc or buy via Etsy.

You are not at all unreasonable. You paid for these goods and they should have been of a reasonable standard. Do contact the sellers who may, if they are decent, give you your money back but you cannot guarantee that. I feel sad for you because you'll have to spend more to replace them.

What a cheek selling 'personalised hand sanitiser' with stick on names. You could have done that yourself!

There is a move around my way to buy locally but from established shops.

I hope all works out.

It wouldn't hurt to message them, but I wouldn't be surprised if they say tough luck, and not sure what protection you have through FB marketplace. I guess if you paid through goods and services through PayPal then maybe, but guessing that's not the case. I always buy through platforms such as Etsy as if it is not as pictured and tat you can usually get your money back.

Yeah I've had some incredible stuff off etsy. for some reason it all seems to come from russians- they'll create the most brilliant things for a small price. Go for quality craft, not how close they live to you.

Did they send you progress pictures? I know a lock pet portrait artist and he always goes through layout etc prior to starting

I've bought some lovely craft things from local Facebook sellers - I do check recommendations and reviews and never been let down. I'd let the sellers know kindly. Probably wouldn't bother for the £2.50 bottles though.

Treat it like any other product, if you're not happy then ask for replacement or refund.

yeah everyone got a vinyl cutter during lockdown and is selling any old shit now, without taking any time to actually learn how to make things properly, i sell on etsy and one of my shops is a shop that sells personalised products and i wouldn't dream of sending stuff like that out, im not just saying it because i sell on etsy but you do have a better class of seller on there ones who have actually learnt to make what they are selling properly

I only buy things that others have recommended to me.

I also sell handmade items, I need to start selling on Etsy but it looks confusing.

@Lovemusic33

I only buy things that others have recommended to me.

I also sell handmade items, I need to start selling on Etsy but it looks confusing.

do it! honestly once you have done a few listings its super easy there are loads of tools to help you and if you know any sellers they can give you 40 free listings. feel free to send me a message for any recommendations for places to get help