I think these changes will have a negative impact on Zazzle itself!

[Connie]

I think these changes are going to have a negative impact on Zazzle itself, despite their short-term gains by taking so much in Marketing fees. Creators are already increasing their royalty percentages to offset the new excessive fees, and will continue to do so, making products all across the site more expensive for consumers. Eventually, Zazzle will get priced out of the market, especially as we have been suffering from runaway inflation for a couple years now, and the cost of living continues to increase, meaning consumer spending continues to drop. It will especially impact the Digital Downloads market, which in economic downturns usually thrives. Creators will either remove the digital option altogether, or increase the royalty to the max. either way, customers lose out, and Zazzle does, too.

[Zorinda]

“Creators are already increasing their royalty percentages to offset the new excessive fees, and will continue to do so, making products all across the site more expensive for consumers.”

I think that it could be a win / win for zazzle to have designers raise royalties and prices in many cases. They grab even more cash as those designers just try to make up for lost revenue.  Many buyers are more price inelastic than you think; not all are looking for the cheapest price.  Obviously that depends on the category, competition and quality / originality of designs. 

[Connie]

It'll be a win/ win for Zazzle at first, IF most sellers follow suit and raise their royalties, but I think eventually they'll lose customers because there are so many other marketplaces out there with similar offerings.

[AirTwin]

I used to think that about changes at sites. But there are a lot of people that have money, spend with purpose, and value the custom experience. For example, look at the heart shaped walmart cake fight on social media. That is a case of 2 different types of buyer and their behavior.

I was selling on Etsy around the credit crunch, and people were saying to the same thing about costs and postage going up - buyers still buy. I was still shipping internationally even though it was customs taxed.

Digital here currently is not what "digital products" are out on other site. IF they were Zazzle would make a lot more sales on those products. I asked, along with other users, when they were going to get real digital products the way the rest of the world uses the term outside of Zazzle's site.

Time will tell though.

[Lea]

This sudden emphasis on marketing over creating is going to impact the quality of the offerings here too. I used to encourage so many creatives to sell their amazing work here and now I definitely am hesitant to talk Zazzle up with the way our earnings are suddenly and sharply decimated and the games we have to play to figure out how our earnings are calculated.

[Joel]

Absolutely. This does not bode well at all. Complicated calculations, behind the scenes shenanigans, 3rd party ghosts, bare minimum data, marketing lines to push... more fees. And it's not any better on the other options. It's getting bad everywhere at the same time. How convenient.

[klstock]

If Zazzle had said, "Yes, we are now charging Marketing Fees, but before anyone gets upset, let us assure you that with that revenue we will be significantly increasing our own marketing efforts with tv ads, google ads, etc. that will bring a lot more traffic and sales..." that might have justified this somewhat.

If I knew these MFs were going toward something that would bring increased sales volume, I could justify making  less per sale if I was making a lot more sales.  And when I typed MFs I admit it brought to mind another meaning than Marketing Fee and this alternate meaning will be my new 'affectionate' nickname for these unjust charges.

[tiffjamaica]

typing MF has been bringing me joy. 😄

[klstock]

😁😂🤣

[idraw]

@klstock   @Connie 
One thing that I have already mentioned and posted about Z salary increases,in another thread:

Decided to elaborate further here: The probability of Z building in salary increases for their employees, board members, CEO, etc., without transparency/i.e. showing that info, since they are a private company, we have no way of knowing what is really included in the latest formula. (just remembered, I have a copy, in my old files, Zazzle,_Inc._Board_Packet_1.pdf, dated 2016)Unless of course we were included in their daily/weekly/monthly meetings. Interesting read. And before anyone asks, no I won't send it to you, or post it here, I checked and it is not searchable on Google, so don't get stressed MODS, Just wanted to mention that I have it and it exists.
I believe and am hearing from other SKs, that we as shops are financially deeply affected by/in the changing formula Z builds out. I feel that we SKs are being pushed into an untenable position, royalty wise. That's why I am bringing up the point about Z employee salary and its possible role in the formula Z has/is constructing.

It is something for us as shops to consider, along with all the other variables involved in this issue.

[Connie]

I'm going to start using MFs too!

[Zorinda]

I didn’t realize it was Marketing Fees.  My very first (and only) thought was your “alternate meaning”! 😂

[Jadendreamer13]

I think the biggest problem that is causing everyone (hopefully undue) stress is the fact that the new calculations are just too difficult for designers to understand and grasp easily (at least that’s the case for me).

So, instead of panicking, my plan is to sit back and wait for Zazzle to process everyone’s concerns and then rework and simplify their new Terms and Conditions and express them in a way that everyone can easily understand.

Doing unnecessary things, for example, like renaming the Associates Program into the Ambassador’s Program is just one of several issues that muddy the water.

We just need basic information that’s clearly written in a simple format that everyone can understand easily, so each designer can decide for themself if Zazzle will be a viable income source going forward.