Hi quilty types,
I promised an update on my pattern shop and here it is. But briefly, an explanation for tall this mess. VAT has become a very bad word in my house. This new VAT law that the EU is bringing into effect on the 1st January 2015 is impacting small digital businesses like mine all over the world. It is incredibly frustrating that this new law now demands I work out tax on sales to EU customers (with 75 different tax rates..), plus collect two pieces of evidence about my customers addresses (oh and store it for 10 years) and make quarterly payments to each government of the EU State. I don’t have the time, nor the inclination, nor the business head for that kind of nonsense.
Sadly. Craftsy is not really addressing this issue to make it easier for small sellers like me. I have loved selling my patterns via the Craftsy platform but it is no longer viable for me. So I am moving my pattern store. I will be selling now via PayHip (thanks Juliet from the TartanKiwi for the heads up on this option!). Which I am thrilled to say for a small commission on each transaction takes care of all the VAT mess for me. Hooray!
So I am still selling patterns! Just via a new shop. You can click through to it here, or via the Shop tab up above. There is only a small downside. Currently you cannot purchase multiple files at a time (though when I asked about this, I was assured it’s on their To-Do List for early next year – fingers crossed).
I have over 100 patterns for purchase that I need to upload. As you can understand that is rather time consuming so I am slowly adding to the shop, but have at least listed the most popular ones first (so you will no longer find those on Craftsy).
I will leave my Craftsy shop listing only my free patterns. You will have to go to my new shop for the rest of them. It’s messy, I know, but so is this entire VAT law crap. At least it doesn’t mean I have to shut shop entirely (which was a consideration).
So I will post soon about the new BoM which will start on the 1st January – stay tuned! And thanks for your understanding as I slowly move my pattern store over!
I still don't know if I'll have my free patterns up or not with craftsy, kind of out of protest I want to NOT do it, I have other ways to posts free patterns.... we'll see
ReplyDeleteI totally get that. I was thinking about taking my free patterns off Craftsy for the same reason, but I'm just not sure what my best option is (plus the amount of work to relist them elsewhere is a bit beyond me at the moment :( ).
DeleteIt is just outrageous that Craftsy is not providing a means for sellers to continue to use their site if they have Eu sales!! I am so sorry for the hassle this is causing you and other sellers. It will be interesting to see how many folks abandon Craftsy over the Vat Mess... XX!
ReplyDeleteGreat news Kristy! I'm happy you found NEW shop place and can continue with your fantastic patterns! x Teje
ReplyDeleteGood for you! You'd think craftsy would pull their finger out, I imagine lots of people will do the same as you and they'll lose a lot of business! Wishing you lots of vat hassle free sales :)
ReplyDeleteI imagine Craftsy will eventually do something to accommodate this situation. As much of a hassle as it is for you, it's probably just as troublesome for them to get it worked out.
ReplyDeleteI'm more annoyed with the EU, for everyone's sake who has to deal with this ridiculousness. Not for the first time am I grateful for the US.
ReplyDeleteWell done to you for taking this giant leap forward. Boo to the crazy tax people and all those ridiculous rules.
ReplyDeleteWell done to you for being proactive and not letting the problem kick you out of business. Hopefully by leaving the free patterns on Craftsy you can drive some paying customers to your new shop as well. Hope it works out well for you, good luck for the new year too!
ReplyDeleteWell done for finding an alternative! X
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the opening of your new shop! Best of luck and here's to the coming New Year! 2015 is going to be awesome!
ReplyDeleteI would buy your patterns even if I had to send cash with a pidgeon to Australia! Congrats on the new shop - I'll see you there!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your solution!! My (much, much smaller) Craftsy pattern shop will migrate to payhip.com too.
ReplyDeleteI'm doing exactly the same as you, this is my job tonight. I'm also listing as physical products to be emailed on Etsy (as the HMRC in the UK have clearly said this is OK now) and also adding to Patterns to Print. It's laborious but I'm hoping three venues makes up for the loss of the Craftsy traffic.
ReplyDeleteHi and I'm so glad you've found a way to continue to sell your patterns, because they are wonderful! I am wondering if it would be possible for you to list the pattern for Aladdin's lamp as an individual pattern - I would buy it right away if so. :) Thank you so much! Rachel rachelkbayne (at) gmail (dot) com
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