🎯 Hard Lesson in Handmade Business: My Etsy Regional Pricing Experience
By Pvaishnavi | July 2025
There’s a saying that every entrepreneur pays “fees for learning,” but sometimes, the price is heavier than expected—especially when it’s tied to a platform you trust.
Recently, I faced a hard-hitting moment in my journey with Etsy, and I’m writing this blog not just as a vent, but as a lesson for every global seller trying to do everything right.
✨ The Product
One of my premium handcrafted products—a beautifully detailed marble piece—was priced at:
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🇮🇳 ₹98,000 for Indian buyers
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🌍 $1,700 (around ₹1,66,000) for international buyers
Since I operate from India, I activated region-based pricing offered by Etsy. My assumption was clear: Indian buyers see ₹98,000, and buyers from the U.S., UK, or elsewhere see $1,700.
🚨 The Glitch or the Gap?
But then came the shock.
A buyer from the USA placed the order, and I got paid only ₹1,000.
Yes, one thousand rupees—not dollars.
After Etsy’s deductions (platform fee, payment processing, GST, TDS, and TCS), the amount I received couldn’t even cover the raw material cost, let alone packing, shipping, and the time spent crafting the piece.
💔 The Impact
This wasn't just about numbers. It hit me emotionally. As a solo entrepreneur managing everything from product design to shipping logistics, this loss came from my own pocket—and from hard-earned trust.
I sat there wondering:
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Did Etsy fail to recognize the buyer’s country?
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Did I make a mistake during listing?
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Is regional pricing unreliable?
🧠 What I Learned (And What You Should Too)
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Never trust automatic systems blindly.
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Always test your listings with VPN or friends overseas.
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Double-check how your listing appears in different countries.
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Etsy’s region-based pricing isn’t foolproof.
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Even when you assign different prices, glitches or conversion mismatches can occur.
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Pricing protection is your responsibility.
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Until Etsy offers more transparent tools, I’ve decided to switch to a single USD-based price that safeguards my base costs and effort.
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Document everything.
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From screenshots to buyer regions—keep a record. It helps in disputes, feedback, and lessons for future.
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🛡️ Moving Forward With Strength
Yes, I lost money. But I gained experience, awareness, and the ability to help others not make the same mistake.
If you’re a new seller or even an experienced one like me—don’t skip the “preview listing” steps. Assume that even trusted platforms can fail sometimes. Set pricing smartly. Test globally. And protect your art.
💬 Have You Faced Something Similar?
Let’s start a conversation—because handmade doesn’t mean helpless. You can comment on this blog or DM me on Instagram: @pvaishnavi_world
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