Etsy Scam Exposed! Shocking Vlogmas Day 22 Incident

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. The Disappointing Experience with Etsy
3. The Frustrations of Small Business Scams
4. The Impact on Trust in Online Platforms
5. The Importance of Reporting Scammers
6. Dealing with Reimbursement through PayPal
7. Uncovering the Seller's Actions on Amazon
8. Seeking Revenge and Taking Action
9. The Futility of UPS Claims
10. Conclusion

The Disappointing Experience with Etsy Scammers

It was a month ago when my partner and I watched "The Queen's Gambit" and became inspired to learn how to play chess. Excited about the idea, we decided to purchase a high-quality chess set from Etsy, wanting to support a small business and have something physical to play with. After hours of searching and reading reviews, we found the perfect wooden foldable chess set from a seemingly legit Etsy shop. We placed our order on November 22nd and eagerly awaited its arrival.

Days turned into weeks, and there were no updates on the shipment. Concerned, I reached out to the shop, only to be informed of shipping delays due to USPS issues. They assured me that I would receive the chess set before Christmas. Despite the delays, I understood the challenges faced by small businesses during the holiday season, so I patiently waited.

Ten more days passed, and the tracking information finally showed some movement. However, something seemed off when I saw that the package was being delivered to Indiana, not my address. Curiosity led me to check the status of the Etsy shop, only to find that it had been deactivated. Panic set in, and I knew something was seriously wrong.

Feeling cheated and determined to resolve this, I spent the entire day filing reports with different platforms. I documented the evidence and contacted the shop via an email address I found. I also opened a claim with Etsy and escalated the case with PayPal. The frustration grew as I discovered that the shipment had been delivered to an Amazon warehouse in Indiana. It appeared that the seller had posted multiple items on Etsy, shipped them to Amazon, and likely intended to resell them.

This experience not only left us out of $63 but also shattered our trust in the Etsy platform. We had chosen to support a small business, only to be scammed. The incident highlighted the abuse of these platforms by opportunistic individuals and the subsequent loss of trust in supporting small businesses online. It's disheartening to think that such actions can deter us from continuing to support independent creators and opt for more established marketplaces like Amazon.

While I continue to document and report the scam, I urge others who face similar situations to do the same. Report fraudulent sellers, document the evidence, and raise awareness about their actions. By taking a stand against scams, we can help create a safer and more trustworthy online marketplace for everyone.

Despite the setback, I remain hopeful that Etsy, PayPal, and other platforms will rectify the situation and help us regain our lost funds. Whether or not that happens, I have learned a valuable lesson about the importance of careful scrutiny when supporting small businesses online.