OK, fellow crocheters/crafters, I have a question for you. Whenever I leave feedback for various things I always try to leave positive feedback. Right now I’m having a dilemma. I bought a pattern recently from an Etsy shop. I won’t say what shop, but I will say I had not bought from this person before so didn’t know what to expect. Based on my experience buying from other Etsy shops, I was expecting a very nicely written pattern with detailed instructions. Well, I have come to find out that is not always the case. The pattern I bought was about twice the price of patterns I’ve bought at other Etsy shops. Another reason I was expecting a well written pattern. IMHO, this pattern is horribly written. I have crocheted for 37 years, and have been reading patterns for almost as long. I am pretty sure I have not come across a pattern as poorly written as this one. If I hadn’t been crocheting for this long, I know this pattern would drive me nuts. I’d probably toss it aside and just not make the item.
I have looked at the Etsy shop for other reviews to see if others might have had this problem. For the pattern I bought these are the feedback messages from those who left feedback:
- Great pattern! Thank you! Very quick response!
- Sweet Pattern
I don’t want to be dissing somebody’s pattern, but I can hardly fathom I would be the only person who would find this pattern lacking in so many areas. So…should I leave feedback and, as gently as possible, let her know that I find the pattern lacking and point out why? Or do I just not bother leaving feedback? Part of me wants to just forget about it, but the other part thinks she ought to know. To charge that much for something, the pattern should be well written and not leave the maker wondering what is meant. And I don’t mean I have to wonder occasionally. There are lots of places where I literally have to stop and then from looking at the picture and knowing what I know about crochet, I have to pretty much interpret the pattern so I know what she means.
So, I ask you….what would you do in this situation?
That's a tough one. Maybe you can send her a message and let her know you had problems with her pattern. Since she sells her patterns, she should be ok with people letting her know if they have problems with them. Good luck. :)
ReplyDeleteYou could tell her that you had a little trouble with the pattern and ask her for help.
ReplyDeleteI would let the seller know that you have a problem..she may be unaware. The seller should try and make it right by you, if she doesn't then leave nuetral feedback..I have had problems with patterns before and usually the person I bought it from sends me the corrected version. Good Luck.
ReplyDeleteGee Rita, you are a most seasoned crocheted so for you to have a problem the IS a problem with the pattern. Maybe an email to her, hopefully she responds, if not, then maybe a gentle feedback. Good luck. Would be interested to know what she does.
ReplyDeleteHello Rita,
ReplyDeleteI'd probably leave your feedback, it's sounds like you'd do it in the nicest possible way. What a nuisance that you've paid your money out and the pattern isn't up to scratch, not nice for you at all.
Vanessa xxx
I think I'd email her and state the reasons you had problems. I personally think you should get a refund or at least partial refund. If you are selling a pattern it should be easily followed!
ReplyDeleteThanks for all of your input. Still not totally sure what I'm going to do. Right now I'm leaning toward seeing if I can find an email address for her...or some kind of contact info on Etsy for her...and explain to her why/how I found the pattern lacking. The way this pattern was written, there is just no way I'd be buying another pattern from her. And really, the pattern is on the basic side. But being that it was so poorly written it made it difficult to follow.
ReplyDeleteWell, I made a decision. I sent her a couple messages via Etsy. I thought I'd let her know that I found the pattern lacking, but I tried to do so in a nice way. Hope she takes it the way it is intended. I sent her two messages because I accidentally sent one before I was finished. :p I know if I was selling patterns and people had to decipher what I meant...I'd want to know about it. IMHO you can't just say "2hdc", you need to tell a person where those 2hdc are supposed to be placed. Do you mean 2hdc in next space, or 1 hdc in each of the next two spaces. Turned out the latter was to be done, but I had to figure that out on my own. Not fun. Especially when I paid $7.95 for one pattern.
ReplyDeleteWithout hesitation, I would let her know, Rita. Don't you return faulty or inferior mdse. when purchased from any other retail outlet? If so, why make an exception for this one? Rita, it's YOUR hard-earned money; please don't let someone (scam artist?) take advantage of you. These type of sellers thrive at the expense of unsuspecting and/or kindhearted people. Plus, ignoring or allowing people to slide for whatever reason serves to perpetuate unethical business conduct.
ReplyDeleteEv