Etsy's obsession with shipping

[chapeaunoir]

Latest in a series of micromanaging moves concerning what vendors there charge for shipping - this doesn't appear to be a test, but we're hoping it is. 

Browsers are asked to judge a seller's shipping without apparently needing to purchase: 

www.etsy.com/teams/7722/discussions/discuss/18812486/page/1

www.etsy.com/ca/teams/7722/discussions/discuss/18812244/

[RetroMonde]

Geez, I thought a person was to be judged by a jury of your peers... not a bunch of casual browsers that probably believe shipping actually IS free. Honestly tho, I've seen some horrific shipping fees there AND on eBay lately. Etsy has been pushing sellers to offer 'free' shipping lately.

[Deleted]

Oh lol, what a mervelous idea to ask the browsers. Because they sure are experts. It will always be "too expensive", unless it's free. A $16 to ship a 3 pound coat from NY to CA? R U KIDDING ME, OUTRAGEOUS, I can't even!

[mupcycledcouture]

I hate to see Etsy head down the same path as Ebay. But what else would they expect when putting an Ebay person in charge?

[chapeaunoir]

It's definitely drifting in that direction. Seems like the site is slowly turning into a place to buy drop-shipped printed T-shirts, mugs, reseller jewellery (i.e., from Alibaba) and gag gifts.