They had two instagrams one was for sellers they were reposting the seller Saturday emails and other tips, that is the one they deleted all the posts from. The main account is still going with the last post from March 31st, but I remember there was some influencer posts on there in April that got scrubbed.
But with it looking like they are getting rid of the Facebook group as posted above….yikes not a good sign. There was only I think 1500 members in the group? That’s not a lot of sellers for being open for two years.
Trying to do some digging, but it looks like the winner for the cowboy carter beyonce contest was stripped of his winnings for cheating? I don’t know the full story. It seem he posted on Facebook and Tiktok, but then later deleted his videos? This also seems to explain the missing posts from April that I knew were on Michaels Makerplace Instagram. All I could find is some ‘cached’ results from google searching, but any of the actual posts/videos related have been deleted.
The responses were interesting. Most gearing towards it being shut down completely. I think as of last week, people were still doing some pop up shops, but I don’t know how out far those are scheduled. I always thought those were a dumb idea.
Well if the old ceo was pulling money from one area of Michael’s to pay for other areas of Michael’s. It’s possible it could have maybe been a nail or two in the coffin?
While the replies on Reddit were all over the place…they all seemed to be on the negative side when it came to Makerplace so that’s not a good look either.
The last email I had about pop ups was for the April dates. Once I was no longer a seller I no longer received emails.
I wish I could out more about the contest, but I’m assuming they must have settled since things were scrubbed….but if there were cash flow issues I could see why they wouldn’t want to shell out prize money and Beyoncé tickets ($5,000 value) For the contest you needed to create an outfit you would wear and judging from the hashtag required for the contest entry requiring hashtag ConcertReadyWithMP there seems to only be about 30 people entering, with the winner of course having 101k followers on Instagram which is par for the course of Makerplace trying to ride the coattails of anyone who has a high social media following.
But back to the contest stuff I’m reading through it and this part stood out to me in the contest rules
“ post a photograph or video of your best Cowboy Carter-inspired outfit on Instagram which features handcrafted goods purchased on MakerPlace by Michaels and/or made using items purchased from Michaels, ”
I’m pretty sure that requiring a purchase is illegal for a contest and they are supposed to offer an alternate entry option.
Like I said all this random stuff lives rent free in my head. Do I want to reach out to these influencers and ask if they have tea to spill.
Sometimes I wish I had the time to sit down and research and write all these huge articles in my head mostly the rise and downfall of Etsy, Amazon Handmade, Joanns…Now Makerplace/Michaels lol. I don’t know if anyone would read them though. So everyone at sellersasksellers can just read my rambling posts instead
They did extend the free trial for the premium plan until July 31st. Some sellers were also reporting that the reports tab hadn’t been updated since 4/20. Not sure if that’s been fixed.
This all sounds very doom and gloom. While I’m not closing my shop for now, I really have no reason to add to it or do much publicity either.
Etsy fell into the crapper, and I closed my shops several years ago.
Amazon totally screwed over Handmade, although I still get drips and dribbles of sales.
And now MakerPlace…
I’m glad we’re a 2-income family, because mine isn’t cutting it any more.
Thank you for asking there and for the responses. It matches what we’re seeing - no more money into it = no more promotion.
I’m trying to streamline my life now, so will probably just close my shop there down so it’s one less thing to think about. Shame, I was really hopeful it would go well!
I don’t have much listed in MakerPlace, never was on Etsy, haven’t touched AH in years, and goimagine really is a bust. I was looking at my ebay account last night and have sold some items there in the past. I think I’ll try it out again. Meanwhile, i haven’t made anything lately except for a mess in my craft space.
The stats are still ending at 4/20. Anything with 420 is chuckle inducing, but this is annoying. I contacted Michaels this week about the stats and received a case number and reply that I would receive a reply in 3 business days. I will not hold my breath.
I haven’t had a sale since March 6th, total for the 18+ months I have been on there 20 units sold ~$450 total. 415 active listings.
Looks like me and 