• LandedGentry@lemmy.zip
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    12 days ago

    Most small creators do not have their own online stores. They depend on Amazon, eBay, Etsy, or some combination of the three

    • TwiddleTwaddle@lemmy.blahaj.zone
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      12 days ago

      Many small creators also sell directly on social media. Unfortunately that’s mostly corporate owned social media, but at least they dont typically get a cut of the sale.

      Even still, local creators will often pop up at events and conventions and stuff. They may not have a permanent presence, but you can still often buy stuff from them in person if you keep up with where they’ll be.

        • i_dont_want_to@lemmy.blahaj.zone
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          12 days ago

          From what I’ve seen, Instagram. I’ve never bought anything from Instagram so I’m not sure if it’s a built-in function, or if they use something like messaging and Venmo.

            • i_dont_want_to@lemmy.blahaj.zone
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              12 days ago

              I never thought to look it up (since I don’t use Instagram) but there is a way to set up a shop in Instagram and THAT is where Meta gets their cut.

              All these years, I thought it was like some sort of Craigslist deal where people would advertise there but deal with payments in other ways. Oops.

                • i_dont_want_to@lemmy.blahaj.zone
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                  12 days ago

                  I have always liked the concept of Facebook Marketplace, but the fact it was a Meta product made me not use it. The unfortunate side effect to Facebook Marketplace taking off was that Craigslist got a lot less listings. LetGo was pretty good for a while but OfferUp bought them and I haven’t found any alternative quite as good since.

                  Doubly frustrating since Facebook is also the hub for many Buy Nothing groups. Oh well.

    • rhythmisaprancer@moist.catsweat.com
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      12 days ago

      Great point. The limited times I have purchased from Amazon in recent history was accidentally in this manner. I think that purchasing directly from the creator’s/company’s website might send a message that some folks would like an alternative, but I don’t know that. Either way, it is less amazon.

        • rhythmisaprancer@moist.catsweat.com
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          12 days ago

          Agreed. Except for one time last fall, I knew it was going to happen and did it anyway, thru the company’s website. That one company had their own portal and everything, didn’t know it came from amazon until it arrived 🤷 I’ll do it again! If I was selling stuff I am sure I would have to look at these few options out there.

    • x4740N@lemm.ee
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      11 days ago

      Buying a domain and a webhost costs money and people would need a regular income for that

      What I’d like to see is some co-op online platform where people can collectively contribute to online costs though a small percentage of fees and / or donations

    • shalafi@lemmy.world
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      12 days ago

      And often a bit cheaper through outlets even if they do have their own store. Still, I’ll pay a little extra to keep it in the family.