general frustration thread

[TRW]

I don't know abt everyone else, but tbh, after 18 years on Zazzle, attaining Pro Silver, etc... I am at a point where the constant changes, not least the most recent royalty rate and affiliate changes, and the number and frequency of major glitches, has driven me to the verge of leaving the site permanently in the near future unless by some miracle things return to "normal" REALLY soon.
I have not made a NON-3rd party sale from any of my shops since the royalty rate changes. I absolutely cannot stay on a site that offers me pennies for a product they sell for large profit. I have jumped through so many hoops for Zazzle in the past decade! I never fully recovered from the search changes in 2012. I used to make a few hundred a month, over 1k during holidays. Now I struggle to make $100 in ANY month, and in fact have had a few months with no payout the past 1-2 years. 
I add new listings regularly, have no hidden designs to update, I delete all non-sellers older than 2 yrs as instructed, and have updated every listing on every product with views but no sales... and still coming up empty handed.
Now my understanding is that because I refuse to list at 10% royalty and accept earnings that wouldn't even support me in Mexico or India (and I have lived in both, so I would know), that my shops and designs are hidden from the MP?!?! 
What does it take, Zazzle? 
What can Zazzle do to make it worth my staying? (and I am NOT by far the only one pondering this).
Because if this does NOT change, I will have no choice but to look elsewhere. And I really do not want to have to do that after nearly two decades here!

[Boki]

I have had duplicate lighter products in my shop for days, which are more recent. Can the technical service correct it and delete the duplicates so that there is no further confusion? 🙄

[Connie]

I never saw anything from Zazzle recommending that we delete unsold products after two years. If they haven't been viewed in 15 months, Zazzle hides the products, and recommends that we "Optimize" them, with new titles and tags, cover photos, etc. But they never told us to delete them. I've had products that never sold in a decade, suddenly start getting sales when I optimized them. Of course, if the products have template errors or are otherwise unsellable, I do sometimes delete them.
I think that possibly deleting those older products might contribute to your lack of sales. They gain traction in the marketplace with longevity, and with never giving them the chance for that longevity, you are constantly having to start "from the bottom up".

[robmolily]

I also have never heard or been told to delete products that have not sold in a year.  They are hidden - we go in and optomize them if we decide they are worth bringing back to the market but either we missed something or Zazzle might be sending out emails to some and not others? I wonder if there was a thread - not all of us work on Zazzle consistently so we might not check the forum. All I know is for me it's DEAD everywhere - AI has ruined my coloring book sales, I have over 30 original paintings in my Etsy which used to sell immediately.  Thank GOD I don't have to live off my sales because this would be horrible. If Zazzle wants us to delete product as mentioned by some on this thread, why don't they just mass delete themselves? How do we even know if the stats are legitimate - I have been selling on here since 2006 or 2008 and always had pretty good sales until the last year or so. It's frustrating especially with the new pricing of royalties - going above 10%.  

[Bellissima]

The biggest problem for some time now is t

And I would also be very curious to know who is behind the "3rd party" it's a little too hidden for my taste. Where exactly does the source of sales come from? I'm imagining Pinterest Facebook YouTube, but the others? And the statistics?hat we're competing with Zazzle's algorithm, and as long as we don't know what's in it, we're at a disadvantage. Because how can you list a new product if you don't know how it's going to be ranked by the algorithm?

[Bellissima]

the first part of my message missing : The problem is that you have to compete with the Zazzle algorithm. As long as you don't know what's in it, you'll never know how to create an item that will sell well and be seen by buyers. The heart of the problem is there when you see the number of items for sale on Zazzle, it's abysmal!

[Boki]

😞  Days and days pass, and . . . they hope for that improvement. . . soon? . . . 🙄 And the sale stands?  , . . .  🤔 

[TRW]

this thread has gone way off topic... 
as for those saying optimize old products do not delete...when you have optimized them several times and still do not sell, and only have 1 view in 5 years despite promotion... there is no reason to keep them imo
obviously everyone is different
I distinctly remember Zazzle saying they reward shops that have fewer products that are fresh and being viewed rather than are full of old non sellers dragging your shop ranking down. Dispute it all you want, I know what I read. 

I do not know how to close a thread, but I will no longer be checking replies since this wasn't a request for suggestions, it was a "vent" and to let zazzle know how disappointing it has become to remain here when nothing works to increase sales and the site is full of tech glitches.

[CloLee]

My sales have just stopped dead a month ago.  There must be some reason as I've never gone a month without sales since I started on Zazzle in 2018. I literally haven't got time to jump through all these hoops.

[CloLee]

---

@CloLee wrote:

My sales have just stopped dead a month ago.  There must be some reason as I've never gone a month without sales since I started on Zazzle in 2018. I literally haven't got time to jump through all these hoops.

---

Then, a day after posting this, I had two sales!

[Boki]

It is happening,... It is important that there is some progress,... Sales are generally weak. 😞

[Susang6]

I will say I had an Iris tote bag that I created in 2009.  It had under 5 view.  Yes I kept taking it out of hidden and tweaking it...but it never sold,  Then one day last year it sold and I wondered where the customer found it, and to tell you the truth i forgot about that iris tote bag.  Since then it has sold  a few more times.  This is why I never delete product, eventually after you tweak title,  description and tags, and share to social media or other, that product will be seen by somebody that love it. 

[jackynet]

Yup, I've been venting for the last two years.  

[TRW]

or those saying Zazzle never told us to delete old non-selling products, I give you :
https://help.zazzle.com/hc/en-us/articles/222927048-How-zRank-Works specifically this quote:
"Frequently review your public products and delete (or set to hidden) any products that are no longer relevant, haven't been updated recently, or haven't been viewed or purchased. Having a lot of products that aren't popular will negatively impact your zRank."

so while it does not specifiy a date range or number of views specifically it most definitely DOES say to delete (or hide) anything which is  inactive or unpopular!

you are most welcome

[ColsCreations]

But that's purely in the context of Zrank. I know for a fact that the number of unique items sold vs total number in your store is an important factor in Zrank. So deleting products that haven't ever sold (or hiding them as Hidden items don't count) can help your Zrank. But it doesn't mean Zazzle is not showing those products in the MP. And it's not saying you have to delete them. It's just clueing you in to something that can effect your zRank. 

[CBolton]

I haven't had any sales for over 2 or 3 months. I have also been removing designs that are not popular and adding new fresh designs as well as new product items. I also been advertising on several media platforms, still can't advertise on Instagram so I just gave up on it. 
I have looked to see if anyone is viewing the store and it is getting views. So have no clue what is going on. I am hoping sales pick up.  It is surprising I haven't gotten at least 1 sale within those 3 months 😞 
I hope and pray others are doing better.

[Susang6]

In April I raised my royalty to compensate for the fees.  My sales stopped.  I knew it was due to my royalty it was too high for the marketplace where so many products are 10%.  So I lowered it , I have really expensive products that I don't sell curtains area rugs) at 10% and then my royalty is 15 to 22.3 percent on everything else.  I guess the mixture  is good.  I have been selling, earning monthly, getting a check, sales aren't close to what they were ..and the fees ( Royalty Fees Market Royalty Fees Excess Royalty Fees) are so depressing.  I think when the big sales hit during the holidays that we will all be earning less. 

[kashmier]

I just need to vent before I explode. How can this place keep getting worse for me. I was so pleased to sell over $200 only to get $18 for it.  Where is all the money going?  24% is not high enough . I guess it is time to go to 50% then maybe I will make 10% to keep for my very own hard work. Brrrrrrrrr.  Sorry I am really mad today. @TRW I feel you pain big time. Every time I think I have it figured out and am doing ok another wrench gets thrown into the gears. Remember when they had us doing our own code for out store front and layouts, Back when icons for each section became a thing?  I have made it to gold and was wondering if they have a golden parachute to help the long time builders of the site land easier..  JK they would never do that, only in my dreams. If you leave don't they still have all your designs on products no matter what?  I remember signing up when the internet was new and I swear there was a section saying you gave up rights to images. Back then I just laughed to myself and thought who cares. My husband still thought the internet was just a flash in the pan at that time..  So I am thinking if you leave how do you get your work away from them?  

[dbvisualarts]

I understand your frustration, right there with you.This is the current TOS
https://www.zazzle.com/terms/creator_license_agreement?srsltid=AfmBOoq9LEEbFVSb9LTzFb4OrZsf-cKsAHSI_...

[CBolton]

Gees they have 3 fees, no wonder sales are down, no one wants to pay for all those fees and we as the designers hardly get a drop. 
Royalty Fees
Market Royalty Fees
Excess Royalty Fees
🙄

[whimsywhim]

It's the marketing royalty fees that have jumped the shark.  They are untenable.

[anertek]

I thought those three fees only affected designers. That it's deducted from what we earn on each sale. Some designers raising their royalties excluded, in what way would it affect customers and make sales drop? Have I missed something? 

[Susang6]

When you raise your royalty, your product price goes up. That’s just how the math works. But what happens next is what concerns me: Zazzle starts looking like the “expensive store.” Products priced way above market norms aren’t competitive anymore

Example: I saw a towel set listed at $104 in the marketplace. It was shown right next to other towel sets priced at $56 to $62. That $104 listing didn’t stand a chance it was out of sync with competitive pricing.

Yes, fees affect designers. We feel it. But let’s be honest: most online shoppers are bargain hunters. They’re comparing prices, looking for a deal.  Feeling like they “won” when they buy something on sale, talking to their online friends. Bragging but if Zazzle gets the reputation for being “expensive” due to the high royalties increase. Then sales will be affected. .If your product looks overpriced, they’ll scroll right past it.  I have a Facebook customer,s and I did explain why I increased my prices, my customers said they understood, maybe they will buy at Christmas but shopping monthly for this and that…that customer is gone.

[idraw]

@kashmier

exact and thorough answer here on deleting products then deleting store:

<https://help.zazzle.com/hc/en-us/articles/9344611576983-Deleting-Stores-and-Products>

important point: once a store is deleted, it cannot be restored.

[GinevraAndrews]

sighhhh...feeling the same. Once all the "fees" are subtracted we are making pennies on $50 items. It's a bummer because we dedicate a lot of heart felt hours in work time. Wishing everyone the best.

[Susang6]

Yes, it’s been a bit of a circus lately at Zazzle. Every month brings something new; create mockups to stay visible, update your collections to stay relevant, set your royalty at 10% if you want your products added to the marketplace. You’ll earn pennies, but hey, they say volume adds up.  Then, if you raise your royalty to make it sustainable, you’re hit with an excessive royalty fee. I hear you. I get it.  Zazzle used to be a platform where creators could earn a little extra, on average maybe a few hundred a month and feel good about it. It worked. People were happy. But the platform has shifted, and I guess we’re all learning to roll with the punches.

[LMGildersleeve]

"set your royalty at 10% if you want your products added to the marketplace."

Is this the same rumor folks have been passing around for years or is this something new? The last time I checked our products with over 10%+ royalties were in the MP.

[Susang6]

Yes that is the same rumor ...and I was responding to TRW comment  "Now my understanding is that because I refuse to list at 10% royalty and accept earnings that wouldn't even support me in Mexico or India (and I have lived in both, so I would know), that my shops and designs are hidden from the MP?!?! "   

LMgildersleeve I guess you missed her comment about "hidden from the MP"  and just had to get me on a rumor in bright orange text?  By the way my comment came from exhaustion and frustration. and it was sarcastic ..I guess I need an emoji for that so you know. 

Wonder why you didn't go after TRW for the MP rumor?  I guess I am just your favorite right? 

[LMGildersleeve]

I hadn't seen TRW's comment because when I was notified via the system that someone had posted in this thread, the system brought me to your post from my Notifications.

I use the orange text to quote other posts. It's just easier to see what is a quote and what is my response.

I'm not picking at you so you don't have to be worried about that. 😉 

Yeah, emoji's do help when cracking jokes or sarcasm. They are Universal. 🤗

[RafiMetzDesign]

I couldn't agree more. And whoever is in charge is completely out of touch with the users. There is no clarity on how things work, and there never has been. I started in 2015 and it's never gotten better.

[Anne]

I feel like no matter what we do or say, Zazzle never listens to designers. The constant belittling and gaslighting is adding insult to injury. I think Zazzle is in dire need of new management ( the only positive thing I can think of). This will of course also be ignored as it seems Zazzle is hell-bent on going under.

[Bepina]

The time commitment for maintaining my presence on the platform is a significant challenge, given my full-time job. I naively thought that it would be a nice additional work but in order to do everything right I would have to quit my job and just do this. Of course I don't expect to earn crazy amounts if I can't be fully invested but I thought that I would be able to earn some extra money. The process is constantly bogged down by the need for unique descriptions, creating mockups, optimizing tags, and making never-ending tweaks to existing listings. I don't have time to create a new design because I'm constantly having to modify the old ones.

It would be incredibly helpful to have an AI assistant, perhaps something similar to what Wix offers for the SEO part—generating tags, titles, and descriptions - as well as providing more mockups and the ability to download transparent PNGs.

What also adds to the confusion is seeing so many best-selling items with titles, tags, and descriptions that seem like they came straight out of Zazzle's "DON'T" list for optimization.

I've made a few sales but not enough to pass the threshold. I'm wondering if there is any point pursuing Zazzle anymore.