Etsy sellers protest fees by halting their sales for a week

Etsy, best known for selling handmade soap and jewellery, was one of the few beneficiaries in the pandemic as more people stayed at home and either made items or sought homemade items online. — AP

NEW YORK: Some vendors on Etsy say they are halting sales of their items on the site for a week to protest a hike in the fees the crafts ecommerce marketplace charges them.

Starting Monday, Etsy sellers must pay a 6.5% commission on each transaction, up from the 5% in place since 2018.