I always check how long the shop has been open and whether it has consistent reviews with photos. Bonus points if they’re tagged as a “Star Seller.” I also message the shop owner with a quick question—if they respond thoughtfully, it gives me peace of mind before ordering.

I recently questioned a seller after a necklace I ordered looked nothing like the photo. That’s when I started wondering, is Etsy a scam sometimes? I dug deeper and found this article with real experiences https://help-center.pissedconsumer.com/etsy-scams-targeting-you-daily-how-to-stay-safe/ . It helped me realize it’s not about Etsy being bad, it’s about bad actors using the platform. Now I always read both recent and older reviews, check for original product photos, and pay with a protected method like PayPal. I still love Etsy, but I shop with more caution, especially during holidays when scammy shops seem to pop up more often.