Some of the most relevant items in Etsy search for Vintage are actually brand new: Early February 2017

This was a recurring theme post in my other blog about mendacious Etsy, Fake Shaming Etsy and Its Resellers , and I intend to continue with it here.  By way of introduction, Etsy encourages certain select resellers to list their mass manufactured products as "vintage" rather than "handmade", for several reasons.  First, because the sale of the same product over and over again has been heavily promoted by Etsy's SEARCH algorithm since circa 2011 as more relevant, but authentic vintage items are mostly sold as one-offs by Etsy sellers.  Second, anything that dilutes the authenticity of Vintage on the site is seen as a plus:  the majority of the Etsy community from management, to the staff, to the sellers, know little to nothing about Vintage and, based on their lack of knowledge, have decided they don't like it.  Finally, any listings for products mass manufactured in an Asian factory are given an extra warm welcome by Etsy corporate.  Over the last handful of years, the increasing presence of brand new products pretending to be "vintage" has gradually led to the closing of authentic vintage shops selling similar merchandise.

I personally would guesstimate that about 40 percent of items listed on Etsy as "vintage", aren't.  This series of posts will show you why.

February 09, 2017

Pier Etsy Platform (resellers of native craft imports as either handmade or vintage) shop CultureCross has one of today's most relevant listings on Etsy in a search for all Vintage items.  This brand new, mass produced, Tibet silver and dyed Howlite bracelet has been reviewed, vetted, and approved by Etsy's mendacious Marketplace Integrity Team as a proper "vintage" listing. 

Listed as "Southwestern" turquoise jewelry, it is an Asian design with no turquoise or silver used to make it.  It's Tibet silver (an alloy) and Howlite stone dyed a fakey looking turquoise color.  The Overview information reveals that it isn't turquoise...

Overview

• Vintage item
• Materials: silver, brass, howlite turquoise
• Ships worldwide from United States
• Feedback: 1478 reviews
• Favorited by: 534 people

...but that isn't searchable.  The title and tags falsely state this to be a vintage turquoise bracelet.  Priced at a laughable $25.00, you can buy the same bracelet for just $4.19 on Ali Express with free shipping.  Need I mention that many more than one dumb bunny Etsygirl has purchased this item on Etsy?  Which is why it has become ultra-relevant in search results.

February 10, 2017

Another fauxtiques reseller on the Pier Etsy platform is CuteMatryoshka who lists newly made Russian craft items as "vintage".  Open for just over 2 years now, the shop has sold nearly 800 items -- this is a long term reseller.  Today one of the most relevant items in a search for all vintage on Etsy is this brand new hen with chicks painted wooden doll set -- 10 units in stock, all pretending to be "vintage".

For sale at Russian Crafts using the same photos, description and price, without any mention of it being "vintage".  This deception is reserved for mendacious Etsy, whose dim bulb employees working for the Marketplace Integrity Team can't see the shop's tag line which clearly states:

vintage style Russian dolls

The seller's About Page suggests she is the artist who handpaints these items...

A few years ago I had period of my life when I had enough free time. The friend of mine gave me idea to paint nesting dolls and gave me a lesson how to do it. I never painted before and never thought that I could create anything interesting. From the very first time I was fallen in love with it and soon I painted more or less good matryoshka dolls.

... so why are they all listed as "vintage"?  One of the many mysteries of the mendacious Etsyverse!


Since a few Ty Beanie Babies are now 20 years old, all Ty Beanie Babies are now considered "vintage" in the mendacious Etsyverse.  Which is why Etsy shop GertrudesVintage can list one introduced in the 21st Century for sale on Etsy.  One of the most relevant items today in a search for all Vintage on Etsy is Sonnet the Dog who was sold for about six months in 2003-04 as a Valentine's Day themed gift item.

Visit the shop for more newer Beanies pretending to be "vintage"!  Beanie Babies are super easy to date online; several sites have comprehensive listings including photos, descriptions, introduction and retirement dates.  There is no way a seller can't know the actual age of these collectibles, outside the Etsyverse, that is.