One of the foundations of Zazzle has always been that we, the creators, get to set our own royalty rates. That freedom reflects the time, talent, and energy we invest in our work—and it builds trust in the platform.
But lately, with marketing fees deducted after the royalty is calculated, the number we actually receive no longer reflects the rate we chose. In effect, the royalty we set is being eroded behind the scenes.
If Zazzle needs to recoup marketing expenses, we understand—but that should come from Zazzle’s share of the sale, not the portion we were told was ours.
All we ask is simple:
Give us the royalty we set.
If marketing fees must be deducted, make them transparent—and taken after our royalty is honored in full.
This would not only restore trust—it would give designers the confidence to keep building on Zazzle, knowing their margins are secure and respected.
Zazzle, we love this platform. We just want to see it return to the principles that helped it grow in the first place.
I’ve said this many times, and I haven’t seen any evidence that Zazzle is listening. But, Zazzle, this issue isn’t going away; it needs to be addressed.
Im sure they’re listening, but the instructions and decisions come from above - the powers that be. The poor monitors of these forums can merely report back on the furore and general discontent. That doesn’t mean the decision-makers will do anything. They will be riding it out and hoping the disquiet dies down and eventually goes away.
SORS makes excellent points, and with great magnanimity. And I commend her, given her platinum status, for speaking out.
Nevertheless, I think Zazzle has not only done designers a huge disservice with its new royalty structure but has unfortunately (and permanently) damaged itself in designers’ eyes. Like NigelSutherland and Jadendreamer13 below, I don’t think the disquiet is going to go away, certainly not any time soon. For those of us who stick things out for whatever reason(s), the furor and general discontent will only go underground. Designers will always be waiting for the axe to fall now.
Don’t get me wrong. I have loved the platform, and though seriously demoralized, I intend to stay. But, Zazzle has been demanding more work for less and less reward. The platform has been so wonky that it’s been unusually frustrating to work. And trust once broken is not easy to restore.
Thank you Saints_Aplenty. I really appreciate your words, and I couldn’t agree more. I’ve also loved working on this platform and have put in years of effort with genuine passion. But lately, it feels like that trust we had has been shaken pretty deeply.
You said it perfectly — we’re being asked to do more for less, and it’s hard not to feel like the ground keeps shifting beneath us. Even those of us who want to stick it out now find ourselves holding back a little, waiting for the next change or disappointment. That’s not a good place for creativity to thrive.
Zazzle really does still have a chance to turn this around, but it starts with listening and being transparent with the people who helped build this marketplace. The loyalty is still here — just bruised.
Let’s keep supporting each other and speaking up. I really believe it matters.
Zazzle it is unfair to take 50 % of our royalties as Marketing fees for every sale. This is greedy and unfair to the designers. The joy of making a sale is lost as every sale reminds us that we are being cheated out of half of our hard earned money . Please take our concerns into consideration because we are the building blocks of your website and have been an integral part of your success.
And they sold the idea to us like it was something amazing, they should have just been honest and told us that there will be three major changes, 1. They are no longer advertising as much with Google because it is too expensive for them 2. They will take up to half of OUR profits now to make up for their loss in profit! 3. Nearly all sales will be third party so they can take up to half of nearly all sales made as from now. I am so annoyed with them.
At one point this platform and our content made a great team together that IMHO put this platform at the very pinnacle of the POD world. I hope it stays that way… and it still can with careful tought.
I watched as other PODS treated their designers like dirt. Started reducing their royalties and they found out he hard way … they lost so many designers and the content that drove the sales that I’m confident in the end it was a bad decision I’m sure they regret to this day.
We as designers / business people are hungry for a team player and while I know this is a business and a business foremost do not lose sight of the fact that the this platform thrives when the designers and the platform work as a team together. I feel confident they are going to find a way to make this work in a more team like way. In the long run tipping the scale on one direction is not a winning strategy.
For those who are successful I wish you continued success
For those who are struggling I wish you the strength and patience to see how this all shakes out and I hope you succeed
I’m adding my voice to this. The egregiously high percentage that Zazzle takes is beyond the pale. Some are above 50%. I’m stunned. So there’s no other way for Zazzle to save money except to bleed dry our royalties? I can’t imagine.
I understand that running a business requires expenses, but there must be a better, more balanced model than one that continually reduces the return for creators. Our time, talent, and labor deserve respect and fair compensation. Otherwise, the long-term message is clear: creativity is undervalued and growth will come at the cost of those who built the marketplace in the first place.
We need structural changes that support rather than drain the creative community Zazzle relies on. Until then, it’s hard not to feel like we’re being asked to subsidize someone else’s profit margins.
Business Expenses in the US tax system …
are write - offs for taxes in many cases
The cost of advertising is a US Tax system business expense you can write off as ordinary and necessary business expenses, as the IRS explains it.
SO in a US business advertising costs have gone up, it’s a tax deduction covered by the US tax system.
I would think it unethical / not a good business practice for a business who is (I’m not referring to Zazzle just general businesses) writing off the cost of advertising to penalize their employees, sales team, or independent reps.
I highly doubt it… but I’m not an accountant. An expense is an ordinary and necessary business expense but consult your honest accountant for the best answer
When did the earnings screen start announcing that enhanced earnings reports were coming soon? Was it late April? It’s now mid-July.
As others have noted, there seems to be issues as to when sales are flagged as self or third party referred, which may be the reason for the delay in expanded reporting. Again, Zazzle is saying nothing.
Not a tax expert but this doesn’t make any sense to me. Your earnings are whatever Zazzle actually pays you. To write off fees as a business expense you’d first have to include them in your income. What would be the point? … You are paid $100 by Z, say it would have been $200 without the MF. Why would one claim the $200 as gross income only to turn around and say, but $100 of that shouldn’t be taxed because it was a business expense? This would serve no purpose other than to artificially inflate your gross income.
Our earnings are whatever Z actually pays us. The deductions are just imaginary money we never had.
Give us the royalty we set.