We have a good friend -who we wish nothing but goodness. Recently, she told us a story of double whammy bad luck. As artisans and owners of Handmade Luxury Home, we thought it would be a good idea to share this story.
Our friend, let us name her Y, had her Vinted buyers account blocked for no apparent reason as Y had only used it for buying second hand clothing so now and then. Y, being very practical, move on and find her clothes elsewhere. But not being used to the fast developments in online shopping, she made a mistake which we all (might) have done. She ordered at a website that -later turned out- to be known for 'dropshipping'. What is dropshipping?
"Dropshipping is a retail model where a store sells products but doesn’t keep them in stock. Instead, when a customer buys, the store orders the item from a third-party supplier, who ships it directly to the customer. The seller never handles the product".
Now, have a look (scroll down) what Y ordered and what she received. Can Y return her polyester blouse? Of course, but to Hong Kong. Because, the web-shop Y used is re-selling Temu and Shein stuff. Disheartening, don't you think?
Middleman, intermediary, or broker
If done trust-worthily, being a middleman or broker can be handy for both the producer and the customer. Think of 18-19th century art-brokers who would travel from atelier to atelier, country to country to find art for his/her extraordinarily rich art collector. The rich man (often men) would have no time to look for new and collectable art. Somebody had to do this job for him. And that is perfectly okay.
A scenario like this would be a win-win. The art collector would obtain his/her most favourable painting, the broker would get a reward for searching, and the artist would get his/her money for art-making.
However, this story is not that of our friend Y. She feels cheated, and rightly so. She lost her money and returning the goods to Hong Kong in the hope she will get what she ordered seems highly unlikely.
What happened to our good friend Y fills us with worry. Will all those real artisans, those who put their creations online, be able to sell their products. And buyers protected?
Always run websites through Trustpilot, ScamAdviser, Who.is, Google Search.
Please, support real artists and artisans. Don't give up on online buying at real artisan websites. It is often a vital branch of their 'business'. Bookmark their websites and if you smell a fish, contact them and discuss your worries. Although we use Canvas for showcasing our handmade needle and fine artworks, we are 100% handmade. All our creations are made, restored, drawn and painted by us.
We put our whole passion, skill, and mindfulness in our artisan boutique. We are thoroughly happy with our online art gallery in that huge world-wide artisan market. Y and no one else ever will feel deceived by us because we sell real and integer artisan products.
Please, check our blogs.
Send us a conversation.
Use the contact form.
Visit our other -personal- websites.
and see where are busy-bee artisans.
Build a relationship with us!
By the time you like to buy a product at this website, you know you are ordering needle and fine artist that comes from our studios and not some kind of drop-shipping warehouse.
Marga van der Vet
Paula Kuitenbrouwer
Artisans, owners, & sisters at Handmade Luxury Home
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