Has anyone started an Etsy shop?

[Suddengeekgirl]

Can you tell me all about it?

How easy it was to set up
Do you sell much
General pitfalls etc

Thanks! :)

How much does it cost to receive money, I think that they take a cut if it's paypal but you also have to option to be paid by credit card too.

If I sold handmade items why would I need liability insurance for these items and how much hassle is it to be registered at HMRC?

Etsy and Folksy both charge a listing fee and take a final fee on a sale no matter what the method of payment.

Paypal also take a fee to process payments.

These should be factored in your selling price.

It's much less hassle to register with HMRC compared with the hassle of being caught/reported if you don't declare any income (whether you make a profit or not).

You need public and product liability insurance if you sell handmade items, (scenarios: if someone trips over your craft stall or something you display hanging up falls on them, if you leave a pin in something and they cut themselves, if you sell something with a sharp edge, a button can be a choking hazard, all slightly extreme you might think but its best to be covered)

www.cmtia.co.uk/

Anyone know of insurance that allows you to sell worldwide? The CMTIA one is UK & EU only

So if I were to sell something with a button, it came off and they choked on it are you saying they'd sue me? You don't hear of many cases with this happening at M & S!

skyblue I've tried to explain why you need insurance but I'm not engaging anymore, I really don't like your attitude in either of your posts.

btw, good luck trying to sell at a reputable craft fair with no insurance.

Gemma, I fail to see where my 'attitude' is!
I fully understand about the insurance aspect of trading at craft fairs, it just seems extreme to say sell on folksy and have this in case someone swallows a button!!!
Sorry if you're offended by this it wasn't intended, also you're last comment is a little offensive to me!

btw, good luck trying to sell at a reputable craft fair with no insurance.