The Jewelry Downward Spiral
7:46 PM Wednesday, September 2, 2009Fonth drives me crazy! Beautiful pictures and the jewelry even looks cute (cheap cute but still cute) but no way…no way is it not mass produced. It’s embarrassing that Etsy lets him stay there when the proof is as easy as this:
RedTeddy on Etsy sold this: <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_transaction.php?transaction_id=17292862">http://www.etsy.com/view_transaction.php?transaction_id=17292862</a>
Fonth has it here: <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=29251232">http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=29251232</a>
Fonth also has this bracelet: <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=28785500">http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=28785500</a>
which looks a whole lot like this one from ThaiSterlingSilver:
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=29415828">http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=29415828</a>
ThaiSterlingSilver has this necklace: <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=sr_list_11&listing_id=26548846&ga_search_query=red+necklace&ga_search_type=user_shop_ttt_id_7022981">http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=sr_list_11&listing_id=26548846&ga_search_query=red+necklace&ga_search_type=user_shop_ttt_id_7022981</a> which looks an awful lot like the one that was sold on BenWorldHandmade: <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_transaction.php?transaction_id=16814194">http://www.etsy.com/view_transaction.php?transaction_id=16814194</a>
BenWorldHandmade doesn’t have anything listed now, but when they did, they had this: <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_transaction.php?transaction_id=17150212">http://www.etsy.com/view_transaction.php?transaction_id=17150212</a> which, although made in different colors, still looks a lot like this bracelet by InfinityJewelryClub: <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=29806989">http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=29806989</a>
InfinityJewelryClub also sells this necklace: <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=28818197">http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=28818197</a> which looks almost identical to this necklace by Fonth: <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=sr_list_9&listing_id=29388489&ga_search_query=green+necklace&ga_search_type=user_shop_ttt_id_5953890">http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=sr_list_9&listing_id=29388489&ga_search_query=green+necklace&ga_search_type=user_shop_ttt_id_5953890</a>
These suppliers have items that look really similar to what the Etsy shops listed above are selling:
<a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280380048407">http://cgi.ebay.com/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280380048407</a> (this ebay seller used to have an Etsy shop: <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6196400">http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6196400</a>)
<a href="http://millionsandmore.en.ecplaza.net/">http://millionsandmore.en.ecplaza.net/</a>
<a href="http://justplos.trustpass.alibaba.com/product/106140272-100507004/fashion_bracelet_fashion_jewelry_handmade_bracelet.html">http://justplos.trustpass.alibaba.com/product/106140272-100507004/fashion_bracelet_fashion_jewelry_handmade_bracelet.html</a>
<a href="http://www.alibaba.com/member/th103627000/productlist.html">http://www.alibaba.com/member/th103627000/productlist.html</a>
<a href="http://www.alibaba.com/member/th104432885/productlist.html">http://www.alibaba.com/member/th104432885/productlist.html</a>
<a href="http://www.alibaba.com/product/8825371-103980116-100766658/Bracelet_With_Natural_Stones.html">
http://www.alibaba.com/product/8825371-103980116-100766658/Bracelet_With_Natural_Stones.html</a>
<a href="http://www.alibaba.com/product/th100173119-100264519-0/Costume_Necklaces.html">http://www.alibaba.com/product/th100173119-100264519-0/Costume_Necklaces.html</a>
<a href="http://www.alibaba.com/product/th102226412-105296044-101283224/semi_precious_stone_necklace.html">http://www.alibaba.com/product/th102226412-105296044-101283224/semi_precious_stone_necklace.html</a>
<a href="http://www.pitcha-international.com/products/braceletpackages.htm">http://www.pitcha-international.com/products/braceletpackages.htm</a>
<a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/Fab-Handmade-Turquoise-Stone-Butterfly-Pendant-Necklace_W0QQitemZ360179385871QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item53dc5d460f&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14">http://cgi.ebay.com/Fab-Handmade-Turquoise-Stone-Butterfly-Pendant-Necklace_W0QQitemZ360179385871QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item53dc5d460f&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14</a>
When they were called out the first time, this blog was pretty new. I definitely think they could use a second call out. And speaking of “no way did you make that” turquoise rings, this shop has been bugging me for a long time: <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=29274168">http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=29274168</a>
I almost bought some of the stuff like RedTeddy has, but I decided that it was probably mass produced so I didn't get it. I admit I like a lot of it though. I did buy something from a seller when I first got to Etsy that now to me looks like it was probably mass produced.
PussDaddy
EtsyCallOut September 15, 2009 at 1:57 PM
Another great job by the callout team! "Etsy, your place for mass produced dreck, which we know exists here, but it makes us tons-o-scratch, so we drag our feet when it comes to kicken' dem to da coib, if we ever do, so if we don't don't be surprised and stuff like dat."
Anyway, who cares?
EtsyCallOut September 15, 2009 at 1:57 PM
My hairdresser sells some mass produced jewelry and she sells an IDENTICAL turquoise ring.
EtsyCallOut September 15, 2009 at 1:57 PM
a while back, I purchased a pair of earrings from Fonth , not knowing this was one of those reseller shops.
when I received them , I was shocked they could possibly sell those earrings for around 8 bucks when they had nice stones, and lots of knotted detail... etc... and it hit me that these must have been made in a factory, or worse.
i felt like a doofus that I had bought them, it is my only purchase I regret on etsy
funny thing is, I lost the earrings the next day... it was like my punishment for buying them.
EtsyCallOut September 15, 2009 at 1:57 PM
The online examples you've collected are pretty convincing to me. But I get the feeling that Etsy would shrug it off, citing lack of proof. Etsy would just consider the jewelry handmade, so end of story.
American shops selling mass-produced imported jewelry (like the one that bugs you) is not easy to prove. For me, the way the listing descriptions are written is usually a reseller clue. Also, the materials used in some of the pieces. I think I saw the buggy shop had an all seed bead bracelet described as made with plastic beads. That's unusual for artisan work, and the seller doesn't know that. Then there is the feedback for the turquoise ring where the buyer thinks the tiny stones are fake.
If I were an Etsy staffer I'd want to find out more, except the buggy reseller has made a fair number of sales. They are probably safe.
EtsyCallOut September 15, 2009 at 1:57 PM
How can Etsy call themselves the site for handmade when they don't ever look into a store to ensure that? I just don't get it.
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=23397485
This chick? It's from India and I have one? WTF?
EtsyCallOut September 15, 2009 at 1:58 PM
And hey-here's a link to her flick account: http://www.flickr.com/photos/plumprettysugarloungewear/3455531733/
This part isn't her Etsy listings:
Care:
Each item contains a care label. We recommend following these instructions for your special piece. Each piece softens more and more with each wash. We may even recommend a first wash before wearing. Enjoy!
EtsyCallOut September 15, 2009 at 1:58 PM
OMG and here is prettyplumsuagr's stuff on another site http://www.burkedecor.com/Plum_Pretty_Sugar_s/4121.htm
And it states she is from LA while the items in her Etsy shop say from India, and she doesn't have a location listed. UGH!!!
EtsyCallOut September 15, 2009 at 1:58 PM
ETSY RESELLER SHOP DETECTION CHECKLIST
Shop profile is new age airhead drivel (check)
Seller claims to have traveled the planet to find supplies (check)
Professionally staged photos coupled with low cost items (check)
Clothing listings have no actual measurements or size chart with measurements (check)
Shop includes widely diverse crafts, casting doubt that the seller made any of the items in the shop (check)
Descriptions and shop policies tend to emphasize faux intimacy with the shopper rather than facts or joy of making (check)
Seller is vague or confused about fabric care or content (check)
Seller dances around the listing, never actually saying 'hey, I made this myself' (check)
Seller does not offer a money back guarantee for disappointment with item (check)
There are other criteria, but these fit plumpretty.
EtsyCallOut September 15, 2009 at 1:58 PM
it is possible that fonth is a coop that supplies labor to companies that resell the jewelry- probably not, but possible
plumpretty is just an anthropologie look alike. the prices always give it away..
EtsyCallOut September 15, 2009 at 1:58 PM
hallelujah.
The fact that etsy ignore clear evidence like this really bugs me!
EtsyCallOut September 15, 2009 at 1:58 PM
I've flagged the very last seller before, because several of her previous items were old Chicos stock, some from Firemountain Gems, and a bunch of items from ebay stores in China. I haven't "researched" her lately, but her own website shows wholesale codes next to the same merchandise and I'm pretty sure those codes aren't hers.
EtsyCallOut September 15, 2009 at 1:58 PM
please add seller will not customize or resize item. check.
EtsyCallOut September 15, 2009 at 1:58 PM
Sad thing is-Fonth and the other Fonth look -alikes have their crap on the FP regularly. Etsy just doesn't give a damn. All they want is the$$$.
EtsyCallOut September 15, 2009 at 1:58 PM
I have no doubt that Fonth jewelry is handmade - by children in Thailand that is. UGH!!! It's really an insult to all of us who DO make everything ourselves.
EtsyCallOut September 15, 2009 at 1:58 PM
The children don't make half the money that she does and that is what makes me the saddest.
EtsyCallOut September 15, 2009 at 1:58 PM
Here's something interesting: Fonth has a website at www.fonthshop.com. They list their address as:
115/75 Seranee Park, Nawongprachapattana 21 Rd.
Sikan, Donmuang, Bangkok 10210
Thailand
Google the address and see what comes up. Strangely, it's Fonth, another Etsy seller named J.Dream, and a wholesaler/exporter also named J.Dream Jewelry Co. Ltd.
Then Google J.Dream Jewelry Co. Ltd. and watch all of the sites come up that list the company as a wholesaler/exporter.
EtsyCallOut September 15, 2009 at 1:58 PM
How can they register on Etsy like that?
EtsyCallOut September 15, 2009 at 1:58 PM
It may be , because Etsy owns the website and they can allow what they want to go on.
Something many miss.
EtsyCallOut September 15, 2009 at 1:58 PM
they abuse tags too...jewelry sellers report THAT and no one does a thing
EtsyCallOut September 15, 2009 at 1:58 PM