A woman from Wisconsin recently faced disappointment after discovering that the handmade items she bought at a local craft fair might not be as valuable as the $50 she spent.
“I noticed some vendors with unique crochet pieces that had small imperfections, but I found their work less appealing,” she shared.
@jennay4399/TikTok
After leaving the fair, she decided to Google the items out of curiosity, only to find that they resembled products available on Temu, a budget-friendly Chinese marketplace.
Since launching in September 2022, Temu has rapidly gained traction in e-commerce, boasting over 54 million downloads in August 2024, according to Statista.
While the prices may attract buyers, this can be a double-edged sword for local artisans. “I felt foolish realizing that the items I bought were likely sourced from Temu,” she said. “The yellow flowers cost me $30, and the hanging strawberry plant was $20, yet I could have gotten them for under $10 each on Temu.”
This isn’t an isolated incident; sellers have reportedly marketed items from low-cost retailers as handmade. In 2023, a U.K. consumer organization revealed that some listings on Etsy were mischaracterizing products, with prices marked up to six times their retail values.
Despite Etsy’s efforts to combat this issue, Williamson’s experience suggests it’s not a thing of the past. “I see this happening more often in recent years,” she remarked.
Feeling disheartened, she noted, “I suspected that the vendor was untrustworthy given their lack of an online presence. Most artists today have some sort of digital footprint to promote their work.”
Going forward, Williamson plans to be more selective when shopping at craft fairs, suggesting a proactive approach to discern genuine artisans. “Next time, I’ll ask vendors if they can create something custom for me. Most artists appreciate commissions,” she advised.
She hopes her viral TikTok, shared under the handle @jennay4399, will raise awareness on this issue. “I’ve seen many comments from fellow artists who’ve faced the same struggles at craft fairs, and I hope my experience encourages caution in purchasers,” she concluded. “Always check the origins of the items you buy, whether at craft fairs or stores.”