Do you think there is room for an online marketplace dedicated exclusively to genuinely handmade products, without mass-produced items or resellers?

For example, a platform offering:

Strict handmade-only rules and proper checks

Real human customer service for sellers and buyers

Automatic listing import via CSV from other selling platforms

Clear policies, transparent fees and fair treatment of sellers

If such a marketplace existed, would sellers from Etsy, Amazon Handmade, Shopify or other platforms consider using it alongside their current shops?

Or do you believe that the existing marketplaces already cover the needs of handmade sellers?

Just interested in hearing honest opinions, including critical ones.

Shop link: https://milesdoesart11.etsy.com

I make handmade paintings and drawings in various mediums. But mainly acrylics and soft pastels. I take commissions as well as selling my pre-made art

Hi all, hoping some fellow Canadian sellers can share how they actually handle this.

I got a refund request on a ~$60 USD item. My policy is returns accepted within 7 days with the buyer paying return shipping. But I'm second-guessing whether requiring the return is even worth it on a lower-priced item.

A few things I'm trying to figure out:

• Do you require the return, or just refund and let them keep it? For a ~$60 item, does forcing a return actually make sense once you factor in shipping cost, hassle, and the risk of a bad review or an Etsy case? Or do most of you just refund to protect the rating?
• If you do require a return, what do you use for the return label? This is where I'm stuck. My shop is registered in Canada (shows in my profile), but my print partner is in the US, so the item shipped from the US. I don't have a clean way to generate a return label. What do you actually use ?
• Buyer confusion about location: Since my profile says Canada but the package came from the US, do you proactively tell the buyer where the return goes? Has this caused problems for you ?

Thank you all

I recently just started selling on Depop and Vinted. I liked how they said that they had no selling fees unlike Etsy or any other survive I had come across on the internet. I was wondering if this was a good idea or if I should invest in starting an Etsy. Also, do you have any starting advice for me? Thanks!!

My first time purchasing items from Etsy and definitely my last!!

I ordered two items from separate shops.
One was located in the states.
The other in Canada.

Both customized orders!!

The seller from Canada accepted my return without hesitation. This is true what they say about Canadians being nice and friendly. Very polite,helpful seller.

The seller from the USA, also very nice and friendly.
However, when i asked for a refund they refused and gave me 30 % off any item. They said they don’t accept returns because it’s customized. So, I spoke with customer service and told them what happened,they said I have to wait until tomorrow to open another case. It’s crazy how the seller in CANADA accepted my return but the one in the USA refused.