When deciding between shopping or opting for Amazon Handmade, we conducted a comparative analysis among various retailers to help you find the best option for your gifting needs.
When searching for the perfect handmade gift ideas for your home, online stores are a convenient choice. From unique candles and delectable treats to novel crafts, you can find a variety of options in online stores. Currently, two major online retailers are competing for your attention when it comes to showcasing artisans and handmade products: Etsy and Amazon Handmade. But which one is more suitable for your shopping needs?
Before you start decorating your home with handmade candies, let’s take a look at the differences between Etsy and Amazon Handmade. Compare their shipping, pricing, promotions, and return policies. You may want to prepare a shopping list ahead of the holidays as both retailers will offer deals on Black Friday, ranging from handmade home goods to personalized gifts and jewelry. These items are carefully crafted by individual sellers, making it a great way to support small businesses.
If you’re interested in learning about the differences between other online retailers, read our guide, such as Amazon vs. Walmart and Wayfair. These retailers have a wide range of inventory, and you wouldn’t want to miss out on Walmart’s Black Friday or other savings events.
So, what sets Etsy and Amazon Handmade apart?
Etsy was founded in 2005 and has since become a platform for millions of savvy artisans to sell their goods. You can purchase personalized wedding gifts, handmade soaps, tea towels, and more on Etsy. It’s a marketplace where you can find party decorations, holiday gifts, home decor, and other items that are hard to come by elsewhere.
Amazon Handmade was launched in 2015 and now boasts products from over two million sellers on this online retailer. You can buy a variety of goods here, ranging from knitted items and custom cutting boards to candles and beyond. Additionally, if you already have an Amazon account, adding handmade items to your shopping cart is very convenient.
Everything about Etsy
Whether you’re shopping on desktop or using Etsy’s mobile application, the shopping experience is seamless. You can browse and shop by different categories, explore carefully curated popular items, or choose based on gift categories. If all else fails, searching within the website and finding a matching product is also incredibly easy.
The Etsy marketplace encompasses handmade items, vintage finds, and craft supplies. Reselling is only allowed in the wine and craft supplies categories. All products listed under the handmade category must be made or designed by the sellers themselves.
Some products found on Etsy may have slightly higher prices compared to regular retailers. Etsy’s sellers have the freedom to set their own prices, but they also have to pay listing fees, transaction fees, and processing fees to sell their goods on the platform. These items are handmade by the sellers themselves without large-scale production facilities, which explains the increase in costs. However, all of this is due to the nature of handmade craftsmanship! The exceptional quality created by skilled artisans far surpasses the slight increase in costs.
Our Favorite Etsy Finds
About Amazon Handmade
The shopping categories on Amazon Handmade include a variety of items such as jewelry, home decor, clothing, and bath products. When shopping on Amazon, you can either choose the Handmade department or find the Home & DIY category within the mobile application. All products are handmade and must go through a process of handmade crafting, hand modifications, or hand assembly. Mass-produced items are not allowed to be sold in this marketplace, and the application process ensures that sellers meet this criteria.
It’s very easy to find the perfect gift by using filters to browse by category or explore gift recommendations categorized by recipient, price, or occasion. Due to the quality of craftsmanship, some items may appear slightly more expensive in terms of their handmade nature, but overall, the prices are not overly expensive. Amazon Handmade does not charge sellers listing fees. Instead, a 15% fee is charged per sale.
If you’re already an Amazon shopper, the shopping experience on Amazon Handmade will be familiar to you. Additionally, if you’re a Prime member, you can find handmade items through prioritized product sorting, and these items will be delivered to your doorstep with free shipping, just like you’re accustomed to.
Our Favorite Amazon Handmade Finds
Etsy vs. Amazon Handmade: Which has higher prices?
Due to both retailers’ focus on handmade products and high-quality craftsmanship, pricing on platforms like Etsy and Amazon Handmade tends to be at a similar level. Both websites charge fees to sellers, which often reflects in the cost of the items. Amazon Handmade charges a fixed 15% fee per sale, while Etsy levies transaction, listing, and processing fees.
The main difference lies in shipping. Typically, Etsy does not offer free shipping as the items are shipped directly from artisans. On the other hand, Amazon Handmade provides more free shipping options as it can utilize Amazon’s primary shipping system (though you may need to pay a membership fee to become a Prime member). While additional shipping fees may still apply to many items, Amazon Handmade has a dedicated section of gifts and other items that qualify for free shipping.
Etsy vs. Amazon Handmade: Which has higher sales on Black Friday?
The good news is that both Etsy and Amazon offer sales events on Black Friday. Etsy joined the holiday savings frenzy since 2017. If Black Friday 2022 follows the pattern of previous years, consumers can expect discounts of up to 60% off, allowing them to purchase unique home decor, special gifts, and personalized finds. Shoppers can also anticipate free shipping from select stores.
Etsy allows individual sellers to offer deals, and if you’re looking for specific discounts, you can search by clicking the “On Sale” button on the homepage. Etsy is also known for its typical web-wide sales events. Shoppers using the Etsy app can get early access to exclusive sales. Black Friday discounts present an excellent opportunity to stock up on special and heartfelt gifts for everyone on your list.
On Amazon Handmade, you can also find deals on Black Friday. It’s too early to know exactly which products will be discounted, but in past Black Friday deals, Amazon Handmade items have often been offered at a 20% discount, provided by the sellers.
Speaking of deals, Amazon is known for its extensive discounts, including air fryers, home goods, and kitchen utensils (such as portable blenders). Amazon also offers “Deals of the Day,” showcasing savings across entire departments that you’ll want to bookmark. However, the sales quantities are often limited, so be sure to check Amazon’s latest information frequently. A pro tip is to stay vigilant before Black Friday shopping and don’t forget to sign up for Amazon Prime membership to enjoy fast shipping.
In summary, both Etsy and Amazon are excellent websites for Black Friday shopping.
Etsy vs. Amazon Handmade: What are the return policies?
One of Amazon’s many advantages is its retailer-friendly return policy, and Amazon Handmade follows suit. Amazon has a 30-day return policy in place to support purchases, although some customized products may not be eligible. It’s crucial to carefully read the details of the return policy before making a purchase.
On Etsy, the platform itself does not require sellers to accept returns, exchanges, or refunds. This is not a site-wide policy but rather determined by individual sellers. Each shop clearly outlines its return policy in its store policies. Some artisans may accept returns, but it entirely depends on their personal preferences. Once again, it’s important to review the return policy before making a purchase.
If you’re comparing the return policies of Etsy and Amazon Handmade, Amazon holds a competitive edge in this aspect.
The Bottom Line
There is no right or wrong answer between these two choices. You can choose to shop on Etsy or Amazon Handmade. While shopping on Amazon is convenient, the same can be said for Etsy. Additionally, not all artisans sell on both platforms, so you may need to make purchases on both Etsy and Amazon Handmade simultaneously. We’ve got you covered!