There is always so much controversy about PIFs on Etsy.
Some say the item should be completely free, no shipping or anything. Some think the item should be largely discounted. Some think they should charge the listing fee and minimal shipping.. Their are so many opinions on this.
But there are no set rules, so that's okay.
My opinion is that they are more of a promotional tool than anything. I know that a lot of 'newbies' are told to use these to drive traffic into their shops. Which works, of course.
But aren't PIFs really just going to people who want a freebie? Is it really going to make the world a better place to give out a free pair of earrings? I don't know..
But I do think it would be more worthwhile to spend time out in the 'real world' doing something meaningful. If you want to Pay It Forward, go do some charity work, help an elderly neighbor, pick up trash in a nearby park, etc...
Something more meaningful can be done using the same time it takes to make the freebie PIF on Etsy, right?
MyPoody says": I often have things I am happy to give away free but can't afford to pay for fees and shipping to someone else. I was excited to see I could offer PIF for fees and shipping on Etsy. I've been following this thread and thinking about it for a few days now. At first it felt like a whiney thread from rich or greedy people - either have lots of money and can afford to pay other peoples shipping or greedy and only wanted things for free. I'm learning alot of the community 'rules' on Etsy are through peer pressure and 'tribal knowledge' more than written hard and fast rules. If PIF is truly thought of by this community as $0 - Free and clear then I'd like to know that and abide by that 'rule'. However, I'd still like to be able to offer things to people for only the cost of fees and shipping. I even created a spreadsheet that told me what the minimum to charge to cover Etsy and Paypal fees! So in light of the earlier comments on this thread and my wish to still offer things free but for fees and shipping, I've come up with a solution that I hope will catch on just like PIF. I will put FSO in my items. Fees & Shipping Only. I will explain it in the details of the item and put it in tags for searches. Hopefully it will catch on and there will be an acceptable middle ground for those of us who truly just want to give something away but can't afford to foot the cost of giving it away. I'm switching my items from PIF to FSO today. Please help get the word out if you are truly concerned with PIFs for fees and shipping!"
And MyPoody did put it in her announcement, I love this idea and also hope it catches on. Its more true than a PIF, IMHO.
The MyPoody announcement
"FSO - Fees and Shipping Cost Only - Price reflects Etsy and Paypal fees. It is my understanding that the "tribal knowledge" of the Etsy Community is that PIF means Free - no shipping or fee costs, just $0. Unfortunately, I can't afford to list that many things and pay fees and shipping costs out of pocket. However, I still want to 'give things away' to people that can use them on Etsy. So I've come up with an alternative. I will list many of my things as FSO. FSO means I will only charge the minimum price to cover Etsy and Paypal fees, plus shipping. If you like this idea, please use it and spread it around so others like me feel comfortable being charitable within their means!"
Whats your opinion on PIF and the new FSO?
