Yesterday I left my first negative feedback ever on Etsy.
I’ve been a registered user there since November 2005 and have made more purchases than I can count right now. A little over a month ago, I bought some handmade rings from a seller who shall not be named as of yet, since the situation is pending. 
(Note for clarification: the bad seller is NOT smallbird–just wanted to make that clear, since I did buy one ring from her around the same timeframe. smallbird rocks, go buy from her instead! 
)
So I made my purchase with the seller in question, and as I always do, I paid via PayPal immediately. I was notified by the seller that my order would be shipping soon, so I waited. And waited. And waited. A couple weeks later, I sent her an Etsy conversation asking for shipping status, and she said that she would send a replacement package because I should have received my order by then. Great, I said! I’ll wait for it. So I waited. And waited. And waited. See where this is going?
About a week and a half later, I sent her another convo asking for a tracking # for my replacement order. She said she didn’t have one, because the post office said that her envelopes weren’t thick enough. eh?? I thought this was curious, but said ok, I’ll wait a little longer and see.
sigh.
Another week later, I asked for confirmation that she had my correct shipping address. I received no response.
Another week later, I asked about refund options, or where she wanted to go from there because I never received either supposed package. No response.
So yesterday, I left her a negative feedback (to add to the other two negatives other customers left right before mine). I also filed a complaint with Etsy, asking for resolution and maybe a refund, if possible.
I’m so bummed! I’ve always hoped I would never have to leave negative feedback, and my experiences on Etsy have always been stellar. Even when all the mayhem with Mystical Creation Yarns was going on and I had purchased from them, at least I always received my yarn and never even left them negative feedback.
But this is just unacceptable. I spent about $35 with the seller in question, and darnit, I want my order or my money back! 
(EDIT: I just re-checked, and my total was $27. Just getting my facts straight.) Anyway, that’s just bad business. I know it’s just Etsy and not…you know…Wal-Mart or something (not that their customer service is spectacular either, just saying), but still. When I pay for something, I deserve to expect to receive my products. I’m just disappointed and sad.
I’ll post an update if I hear from Etsy sometime soon, or possibly the seller herself? I’m kind of worried she might leave me retaliatory negative feedback, but I can’t control that. I’m just hoping this will be resolved soon!
EDIT: I just took Beth’s advice and filed a dispute with PayPal. Let’s see if this helps–I sure hope so.
I recommend filing a complaint with paypal, or your cc company. Etsy can’t really do much in the way of a refund.
Cool, thanks for the tip! I’ll look into that right now.
Sorry to hear about such a crappy experience. I do hope you get a refund back through paypal or maybe the seller will eventually send the item out. Grr I hate bum seller.
Paypal should cover you. That’s the beauty of using paypal. PS. If you’re ever buying on ebay or something, and a seller says that you have to buy the insurance or they’re not responsible, you should know that if you pay by paypal, paypal holds the seller responsible for any reason the package doesn’t get to you.
Man, what a bummer!
I hope you get your money back!
That’s too bad. I hope you get your money back. It’s a shame one person can ruin your whole experience.
By the way, I am loving all of your socks. It makes me want to buy more yarn.
The seller has a couple weeks to respond to my dispute. I haven’t heard from her yet. If she doesn’t help, I’m going to elevate it to an official PayPal claim.
This sucks!
Amy: hey, thanks! Buying more yarn is contagious, you know!
Ugh. That sucketh. Keep us posted!