Etsy brings the crafts to you

Etsy is getting crafty with its customer service offerings.



The online handmade arts & crafts marketplace is launching a home delivery pilot called Etsy ASAP in the New York market for the holidays. Patterning with on-demand delivery provider Postmates, Etsy ASAP enables same- and next-day delivery from participating sellers in New York City for a flat $20 fee.



Shoppers will also be able to filter their searches to display only items available for Etsy ASAP delivery by selecting it under Delivery Options on desktop, or as a filter on mobile. Etsy ASAP will also appear on individual listing pages as well as within the cart at checkout.



Once a shopper selects Etsy ASAP at checkout they can choose from three hour delivery windows, based on the seller’s availability (orders placed after 7 p.m. are eligible for next-day). Powered by the Postmates API, sellers can set their pick-up availability and change it at any time.



After a seller receives an order, they can request a pickup straight from their Etsy Orders page, and Postmates will find a nearby courier to fulfill the delivery. Sellers can see the progress of the assigned courier, and once the package is picked up, both the shopper and seller can track in real-time from the Etsy app or desktop site until the package is delivered.



The Etsy ASAP pilot follows the recent launch of the new Etsy Local mobile experience that helps shoppers on-the-go find Etsy items and sellers nearby, at both events or local shops.



Since Amazon recently launched the competing Handmade at Amazon online crafts platform, Etsy has been under intense scrutiny from industry observers and investors. Considering that at least 600 Handmade at Amazon items are available for Amazon Prime expedited shipping, Etsy ASAP is a necessary counterpunch. If the punch lands, expect the pilot to expand after the holidays.