Etsy provides COVID-19 relief to sellers

A handmade and vintage goods e-commerce platform is introducing three new benefits for sellers who may be impacted by COVID-19.

In an open letter to sellers posted on the Etsy site, CEO Josh Silverman said the company is continuing all normal activities, as well as taking steps designed to bring to more buyers to sellers’ online shops. These include a $5 million investment through the end of April in the Offsite Ads program. 

Introduced in February 2020, Offsite Ads enables Etsy sellers to advertise items on Google, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Bing without any upfront costs. As a result of Etsy’s additional investment, sellers will not have to pay the normal fee charged for third-party ads which result in a sale until at least May 1.

In addition, Etsy is offering all sellers a one-month grace period to pay outstanding bills starting March 20, no questions asked. The company is also offering sellers a 24/7 dedicated help team to assist with issues in areas such as shipping, delivery and deadlines.”

“We’re committed to supporting our sellers during these challenging times, and one of the best ways we can help is by bringing them buyers so their businesses continue to thrive,” said an Etsy spokesperson. “We understand these are extraordinary circumstances, and we’ll continue to stand by our sellers as this situation evolves.”