A Pennsylvania woman has gone viral after an encounter at Walmart took a surprising turn. As she picked up her car from getting an oil filter change, she was left speechless by the man at the register.
Colby (@thisiscolbyspeaking) shared her story while sitting in her car in a TikTok video that has amassed 280,600 views.
What did the Walmart worker tell her?
“I just picked up my car from getting an oil filter change at Walmart, and the guy at the register that was like, getting my key and my receipt and everything, all of a sudden went, ‘It was you,”” she recounted.
She continued, “I already know. I already know, but I let him tell me anyway.”
She then went on to describe how the man told her she “smell[ed] so good,” before revealing the perfume she was wearing.
“What am I wearing today, you may ask?” she said. ” I’m wearing Sol de Janeiro, […] [but] the piece de resistance is Marshmallow Moon by Fairy Nest. It’s a seller on Etsy. Marshmallow Moon is the name of the perfume. Is the best marshmallow perfume. I have three bottles of it. I’m obsessed with it. And yes, I do smell good, but thank you, because that is my favorite compliment.”
She ended by noting that whilst the worker was “checking [her] out,” he was fully sniffing the air.
Colby didn’t immediately respond to The Mary Sue’s request for comment via TikTok comment.
Commenters agreed that being told that they smell good is the best kind of acknowledgement.
“Being told you smell good is seriously the best compliment! Also, thank you for spreading the love and sharing with the class,” one wrote. “My best friend likes scents like these and hasn’t been able to find a good marshmallow that’s not super eh or cheapy. Running to share the deets with her now, just as Paul Revere would’ve had it.”
“The BEST compliment. I swear,” a second echoed. “Also thanks for sharing.”
While a third added, “I literally had a coworker come up to me yesterday going ‘I really hope this isn’t weird,’ like no, tell me, I love being told I smell good.”
What is Marshmallow Moon?
Over on Etsy, the Marshmallow Moon perfume, which is made by seller Fairy Nest Fragrances, is currently sold out. It costs approximately $56.47 (£41.85).
The product description is as follows: “Indulge in the ultimate sweet escape with Marshmallow Moon. An airy confection of spun sugar glimmers at the top. At its heart, fluffy marshmallows melt into a cloud of creamy warmth. Finally, a base of rich, warm vanilla adds a velvety depth, creating a lingering, cozy embrace. Soft yet indulgent, this scent is perfect for those who want to smell like a bag of marshmallows!”
In turn, the perfume has gotten rave reviews. “Can’t stop sniffing myself,” one reviewer wrote. “Had to order a 2nd bottle!”
“This is the perfect marshmallow scent for me!” a second declared. “Nothing fruity or smoky..Just pure, sweet fluff.”
A third called it an “absolute masterpiece,” and a fourth promised: “You will smell delicious with this scent!”
Fairy Nest Fragrances didn’t immediately respond to The Mary Sue’s request for comment via Etsy message.
Charlotte is an internet culture writer with bylines in Insider, VICE, Glamour, The Independent, and more. She holds a Master’s degree in Magazine Journalism from City St George’s, University of London.
(CNN) — International postal services are suspending shipments to the United States after an exemption on tariff duties for small packages is set to expire. It’s the latest example of how President Donald Trump’s sweeping trade policy is impacting US consumers and businesses.
Beginning Friday, the “de minimis” exemption, which allowed shipments of goods worth $800 or less to enter the United Statesduty free, will be eliminated.
It’s another blow to the exemption that provided a loophole for e-commerce giants: In May, the Trump administration suspended the rule on packages coming from China and Hong Kong. Those high duties, which were reduced from 120% to 54%, especially hurt low-cost sellers like Shein and Temu.
European and Asian postal services have taken matters into their own hands by announcing plans to halt shipments as early as Monday. Singapore’s SingPost and India’s Department of Posts said they will also temporarily suspend some shipments to the United States.
International postal service DHL said August 25 will be the last day it accepts shipments to the United States, joining European peers in halting shipments, including the Austrian Post, which will stop accepting shipments to the United States on August 26.
“There is currently insufficient information available on the customs clearance procedures that will be required in the future. This tightening of regulations poses major challenges for all postal companies worldwide when shipping goods to the USA,” the Austrian Post said.
The change is expected to affect discount sellers, like Amazon Haul and TikTok Shop, as well as online marketplaces Etsy and Shopify, all of which have connected US consumers to businesses worldwide.
Reshaping business models
US Customs and Border Protection estimated that more than 1.36 billion de minimis shipments entered the country last fiscal year. The agency processes more than 4 million de minimis shipments each day.
According to the latest executive order, businesses may face an $80 per item charge for a country with a tariff rate less than 16%, or costs as high as $160 per item for a country with a tariff rate of between 16% and 25%, and $200 per item for a country with a tariff rate above 25%. On August 7, the US imposed new tariff rates on many trading partners, with Brazil facing the highest tariff rate, at 50%.
Abbott Atelier Jewelry, a Vancouver, Canada-based business, warned customers in an Instagram post that it would “pause shopping for a little while as we look for a solution” and August 25 would be the “cut off date to bring orders across the border.”
Some businesses are passing the additional tariff costs on to shoppers.
Korean cosmetics brand Olive Young said that once the de minimis exemption ends, 15% duties will be applied to all orders, “regardless of the purchase amount,” beginning August 27. The duty and taxes will be shown at checkout, so “there will be no additional charges upon delivery.”
Wool Warehouse, a United Kingdom-based yarn and crafting company, estimated extra charges on its exports to the United States may average 50% more. But the company doubts customers would eat the additional costs and decided to suspend shipping on August 21.
“Clearly this is not something we want to do. The US is a significant part of our business. This decision is based on our current understanding of the rules,” the company wrote on its website.
Britain’s Royal Mail will also halt services for US shipments beginning Tuesday. It would last roughly two days, until a system is prepared for the new shipping requirements.
Etsy recommended sellers pay duties and other fees when purchasing shipping labels. That option allows tariff-inclusive prices to be present and calculated on Etsy for a “seamless shopping experience.”
But some Etsy sellers plan to halt sales to US customers anyway.
Shed Maid, a UK-based jewelry maker, said its shop would close to US customers from August 29 — a customer base that accounts for 50% of its orders, according to a post on TikTok.
“It is going to have a huge impact on my business … I’m not sure what I’m going to do,” they said, adding, “I hope to be able to send to (American customers) again soon.”
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It’s not too early to get started on holiday shopping.
From Oct. 25-27, Etsy will get a head-start to the holiday season by hosting an in-person holiday pop-up shop in the West Village.
The Etsy Holiday Pop-Up will allow New Yorkers to shop through original gifts from Etsy sellers. The pop-up will include interactive gifting installations where sellers will be offering a DIY charm bar, custom on-site monogramming, and live portrait drawings, as well as give shoppers a first look at the latest holiday trends.
There will also be exclusive giveaways and gift guides from Drew Barrymore and Naomi Osaka, treats from Salt & Straw and Cloudy Donut Co., and the reveal of the 2024 Etsy Design Award winners.
The pop-up will be located at 576 Hudson St. and will be open from 4 to 8 p.m. on Oct, 25 and from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 26-27.
“I often choose shopping on Etsy because it’s nice to know that everything is from a small business. As an entrepreneur myself, I have so much respect for independent designers and the hard work it takes to launch your own business,” Osaka said in a press release.
The curated Etsy collection includes Osaka’s top tennis, style, and home picks from Etsy sellers around the world, including Japan to celebrate her heritage. The pieces range from personalized tennis balls, sweat towels, and tote bags to green scrunchies, puffer bags, and slippers. There are also tennis-inspired home decor picks like candles, wall art, and rugs.
Fanbinding has exploded in popularity in the past few years. Many fanbinders do adhere to a strict gift-economy stance in line with the writers whose work they’re binding, often limiting the money they collect, if any, to covering material costs. But the people selling bound versions of popular fics for profit are cut from a different (book) cloth. As they make money off works the authors themselves cannot sell, they’re putting those authors—and, arguably, fan fiction itself—in an untenable position.
“Technically speaking, the reproduction right belongs to the author of the fic, because that’s the ‘copy right’: They are the only person with the right to make copies of the fic,” says Stacey Lantagne, a copyright lawyer who specializes in fan fiction and teaches at Western New England University School of Law. Even though she notes it “might be considered an unsettled question of law officially,” fic authors do hold the copyright to the original parts of their stories, though of course not the underlying source material.
Is it legal to bind someone else’s fic? “Here is a typical lawyer answer: It depends,” Lantagne jokes. She says “it is likely legal to print someone else’s fanfic for your own personal, noncommercial use,” adding that could likely extend to paying material costs for someone else to bind it, too. “Noncommercial” here is key. Like the legal status of fan fiction itself, the legality of fanbinding rests on fair use, the exception under US copyright law determined by factors like how transformative a work is, or if someone is profiting off it—and taking money away from the rights holder in the process.
Fan fiction communities have historically relied on good-faith communication when it comes to doing something else with someone’s fic. Nothing’s stopping you from translating, remixing, or creating an audio version (known as podficcing)—or, yes, printing and binding a version, but it’s nice if you ask first. Some writers post blanket permissions allowing any noncommercial engagement with their works, and some, especially in these hyper-popular corners of fandom, have specific guidance about fanbinding. Last year, a charity auction that garnered huge sums of money to bind others’ work led some writers—SenLinYu included—to modify their policies to allow personal, noncommercial fanbinding only.
While plenty of fans have respected their wishes, there is clearly demand for these books—and thus, continued supply. Lantagne says that since litigation is extremely expensive, the only recourse a fan fiction writer likely has in this situation is to file DMCA takedown notices, a very tedious process when there are multiple sellers on multiple sites. “This is what copyright holders have been complaining about ever since the DMCA was passed in the late 1990s—it’s a pain to have to file a DMCA notice everywhere copyright infringement crops up,” she says. “However, the alternative is something like YouTube’s Content ID being used to automatically block uploads, which we know is notoriously bad at accounting for fair use.”
Although illegal sellers obviously deserve a good portion of blame, that continued demand—regardless of fic authors’ wishes—speaks to the way both scale and money has been altering the fan fiction world in recent years. To be clear, there was never one singular “fan fiction community” or universal set of norms, but the widely accepted gift-economy framing has always been undergirded by the fact that many fan fiction readers are also writers, and stories are shared within fandoms, with all the structural ties they bring. Pulling-to-publish was often framed as a betrayal—we were all in this nonmonetized boat together, and now you’ve jumped ship and cashed in.
Etsy Inc., once known as a quirky marketplace for handmade, artisanal and vintage items, seems to be moving further away from its origins amid a much tougher e-commerce landscape and the impact of AI.
Etsy ETSY, +4.83%
will be marketing to a whole new audience on Sunday, when its first Super Bowl commercial will run. The 30-second ad is quirky; it depicts a generic 19th-century American leader who’s flummoxed over how to reciprocate France’s gift of the Statue of Liberty. With the help of an anachronistic smartphone, he and his team search on Etsy using its new Gift Mode option, and find its “Cheese Lover” category after determining that the French love cheese. Voilà — they decide to send the French some cheese.
The commercial is part of Etsy’s push of a new user interface featuring Gift Mode, which lets shoppers search for gifts for a specific type of person or occasion — combining generative AI and human curation to give gift buyers some unusual options.
But are these moves desperate and costly efforts to try to reach potential new buyers, coming on the heels of Etsy’s plans to lay off 11% of its staff?Or could running a TV ad at the most expensive time of the year actually lead to more sales on the once-fast growing marketplace?
Etsy believes these moves will help the company grow again, and its research shows the average American spends $1,600 a year on gifts. “There is no single market leader and Etsy sees a real opportunity to become the destination for gifting,” Etsy’s Chief Executive Josh Silverman said in a recent blog post.
Etsy is clearly under pressure after seeing its gross merchandise sales more than double in 2020 during the pandemic, when it became a go-to place to buy handmade masks and all kinds of items for the home, from vintage pieces to antiques to castoffs. From personal experience as an Etsy seller, I saw sales at my own small vintage-clothing shop more than double in 2020 and then fall back in 2021, while still remaining higher than in 2019. In the last two years, sales have slowed, and some other sellers have witnessed similar patterns, based on their comments in seller forums.
The number of sellers and buyers on the platform has increased on the same level as gross merchandise sales. But e-commerce competition has also gotten more fierce.
“Our main concern with Etsy is growing competition in the space from new players like Temu,” said Bernstein Research analyst Nikhil Devnani, in an email. Temu and fellow Chinese online retailer Shein have raised a lot of investor jitters, as Etsy’s gross merchandise sales have slipped over the last year and are forecast to fall again in its upcoming fourth-quarter earnings report later this month.
Devnani said a Super Bowl ad could potentially help the marketplace gain visibility, something it has always lacked.
“One dynamic they’ve talked about a lot is that brand awareness/recollection is still low, and this keeps frequency low,” he said, noting that Etsy buyers shop on the site about three times per year, on average. “They want to be more top-of-mind … Super Bowl ads are notoriously expensive of course, but can be impactful/get noticed.”
The company’s big focus on Gift Mode, however, could be a risky strategy. How many times a year do consumers look for gifts? And in a note Devnani wrote in October, before the company’s Gift Mode launch, he said that one of the concerns investors have is that Etsy is too niche. “’How often does someone need something special?’ is the rhetoric we hear most often,” he said. Etsy, then, is counting on buyers returning for other items for themselves.
Etsy CEO Silverman believes buyers will come back again and again to purchase gifts. Naved Khan, a B. Riley Securities analyst, said in a recent note to clients that he believes Gift Mode plays to Etsy’s core strengths, offering “unique goods at reasonable prices” versus the mass-produced products sold on Shein, Temu, Amazon.com Inc. AMZN, +2.71%,
and other sites.
Consumer spending has changed, though. At an investor conference in December, Silverman said that consumers are spending on dining out and traveling, instead of buying things.
But while investors still view Etsy as a niche e-commerce site, some buyers and sellers see it overrun with repetitive, non-relevant ads. Complaints about a decline in search capabilities, reliance on email and chat for support, and constant tech changes are common on seller forums and Facebook groups. AI-generated art offered by newer sellers as a side hustle has also become a thought-provoking, debated issue. And there are complaints about mass-produced items making their way on the site.
Etsy said that in addition to its human and automated efforts, it also relies on community flags to help take down infringing products that are not allowed on its marketplace, and that community members should contact the company when if they see mass-produced items for sale on the site.
It also continues to work on search. On its last earnings call, Silverman said the company was moving beyond relevance to the next frontier of search, one “focused on better identifying the quality of each Etsy listing utilizing humans and [machine-learning] technology, so that from a highly relevant result set we bring the very best of Etsy to the top — personalized to what we understand of your tastes and preferences.”
The pressure could build on the company if its latest moves don’t generate growth. Etsy recently gave a seat on its board to a partner at activist investor Elliott Management, which bought a “sizable” stake in the company in the last few months. Marc Steinberg, who is responsible for public and private investments at Elliott, has also has been on the board at Pinterest PINS, -9.45%
since December 2022.
Elliott Management did not respond to questions. But in a statement last week, Steinberg said he was joining the board because he “believe[s] there is an opportunity for significant value creation.” Some sellers fear that the pressure from investors and Wall Street will lead to Etsy allowing mass-produced products onto the site. In its fall update, Etsy said the number of listings it removed for violating its handmade policy jumped 112% and that it was further accelerating such actions.
Etsy’s stock before the news of Elliott’s stake was down about 18% this year. Its shares are now off about 3.65% this year, after recently having their best day in seven years on the news that Steinberg joined the board.
Etsy is a unique marketplace that for many years had a much better reputation than some of its rivals, like eBay EBAY, +0.98%.
But since going public and answering to Wall Street, the need to provide growth and profits for investors has become much more of a driver. The Super Bowl ad and Gift Mode may bring a broader awareness to Etsy, but will it be the right kind of awareness? Sellers like me hope these new efforts will stave off the continuing fight with the likes of Temu and other vendors of mass-produced products, and help Etsy retain the remaining unique aspects of its marketplace.
Investors bought up shares of Etsy Inc. on Thursday after the online crafts marketplace added to its board of directors a partner of hedge fund Elliott Investment Management L.P., which recently acquired a “sizable” stake in the company.
Etsy ETSY, +9.31%
said Marc Steinberg, who is responsible for public- and private-equity investments at Elliott, has been appointed to the board, effective Feb. 5, and will also join the board’s audit committee.
“Etsy has a highly differentiated position in the e-commerce landscape and a uniquely attractive business model, supported by a distinctive and engaged community,” Steinberg said. “We became a sizable investor in Etsy and I am joining its board because I believe there is an opportunity for significant value creation.”
Etsy’s stock shot up 8% in afternoon trading, to pare earlier gains of as much as 14.2%. The stock was headed for its best one-day gain since it climbed 9.2% on July 11.
Elliott’s stake was acquired in recent months, as the fund’s disclosure of equity holdings through the third quarter did not list Etsy shares.
“Marc’s appointment reflects our ongoing commitment to enhance the perspectives and expertise on the Etsy Board,” said Etsy Chairman Fred Wilson. “We look forward to benefiting from his voice in the boardroom as a seasoned and experienced investor as we continue our journey of creating a leading global e-commerce platform.”
Etsy’s stock has run up 18.6% over the past three months, but has tumbled 48.5% over the past 12 months. That’s compared with the S&P 500 index’s SPX
18.7% rally over the past year.
At an investor conference in December, Chief Executive Josh Silverman said business has slowed since the post-pandemic boom, as people have “had enough of buying things” and are now spending primarily on eating out and travel. Inflation and the loss of government subsidies was also weighing on spending.
Still, Silverman said, Etsy is now about two and a half times bigger than it was before the pandemic, and the company has more active buyers than it did at the peak of the pandemic.
Whelp, it’s official: Baldur’s Gate 3 is the game of the year, and you’ve likely got a super fan in your life who would appreciate some merch tied to the game this holiday season.
Luckily for you, we’ve got a plethora of suggestions that can make for great stocking stuffers and big gifts alike.
Silly & Serious Character Stickers
Price Range: $5.00 — $15.00
Image Credit: GeekALotl and Larian Studios via Etsy
Need to nab a cute little gift as fast as possible? The wide array of Baldur’s Gate 3 character stickers available on Etsy should do the trick nicely.
Ranging from simple portraits of the characters to silly and cute caricatures of everyone from Lae’zel to Scratch, these simple signs of fandom will put a smile on even the grumpiest super-fan’s face. We’re especially big fans of GeekALotl’s Best Bois sticker, which pays homage to the best heckin’ pets of 2023.
Party Member Plushies
Price Range: $9.99 — $27.99
Image Credit: XingyueShop and Larian Studios via Amazon
Simple yet effective, the plushies of the core party members from Baldur’s Gate 3 are a quick and easy way to show your loved ones you care.
Available in both simple designs and in more obscure outfits, these stuffed stocking stuffers will fill that space on someone’s bed or shelf perfectly. Not only that, but they’re readily stocked through Amazon and Cossky, meaning they’re a great option if you’re racing to find a last-minute gift. Hop on these while there’s still time, and you’ll score massive brownie points from your favorite fan of Faerun.
Baldur’s Gate 3 Clothes & Apparel
Price Range: $24.99 — $49.99
Image Credit: IGN and Larian Studios
Is your special someone lacking in clothes that show off their love for a specific party member? Does your friend need a shirt or hoody that lets everyone know they’re an Astarion fan for life?
Look no further than the slew of apparel available for the game, which runs the gamut from official apparel via the IGN store to fan-made designs available through retailers like TeePublic. Whether you need a jacket that shows love to God’s Favorite Princess Shadowheart or a more subtle T emblazoned with the game’s logo, there’s sure to be something that’ll strike your giftee’s fancy.
Shadowheart’s Artifact Replica
Price Range: $61.74 — $88.21
Image Credit: BevarianRoots and Larian Studios via Etsy
The Artifact which protects the party from the influence of the Netherbrain is one of the most notable pieces of iconography from the game, and you can grab an impressive replica of it for a modest price.
Boasting the ability to light up as well as a magnetic top to more discreetly hide the batteries, this hand-made bit of merch created by BevarianRoots on Etsy will show your intended recipient you both care about them and understand at least a little bit of what makes the series great. Plus, as an added bonus, it’ll lend some ambience to any space where it’s displayed, ensuring it’ll remain one of their favorite Knick Knacks for years to come.
Baldur’s Gate 3 Physical Deluxe Edition
Price: $79.99
Image Credit: Larian Studios
Before reading further, it’s worth noting that this gift is explicitly for those who wouldn’t mind receiving the promise of a better gift at a later date. The Deluxe Physical Edition of Baldur’s Gate 3 offered via the official Larian Merch Store isn’t set to release until early 2024, and won’t arrive in time for Christmas as a result.
If this isn’t a problem, then there’s little doubt this is the best possible gift for the Baldur’s Gate 3 fan in your life. Not only does it allow them to hold onto a physical copy of the game into the foreseeable future, but it comes with plenty of other goodies ranging from in-game bonuses to posters and a physical soundtrack.
About the author
Keenan McCall
Keenan has been a nerd from an early age, watching anime and playing games for as long as I can remember. Since obtaining a bachelor’s degree in journalism back in 2017, he has written thousands of articles covering gaming, animation, and entertainment topics galore.
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, StyleCaster may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
If you know me on a personal level, you know I’m addicted to the long-standing TV show, Survivor. Before watching, I thought it was just about a bunch of people stranded on an island doing absolutely nothing. But now that I’ve finished 25 of the 44 full seasons and am in the middle of the ongoing 45th season, I know that the show is much more than randos eating coconuts on a beach. It’s a reality TV show, but one of the competition ones that requires, above all else, social strategy. However, I’m not writing this story to convert you into a Survivor stan; I’m here to share numerous gift ideas for the Survivor fan in your life.
A little while back, my friend gifted me a buff, the long bandana that each contestant wears to signify which tribe they belong to. I was over the moon about it because I didn’t even realize you could buy one online. It was such a unique and thoughtful gift that I still hold near and dear to me.
You wouldn’t expect it, but there are endless Survivor gift options for the friend or family member who has invested way too many hours, days, weeks, and months binge-watching the best show ever. The first retailer you should check is Etsy, since it’s a treasure trove of creative and often one-of-a-kind items.
In my search for the best Survivor gifts, I instantly found a bunch of products that I myself would be overjoyed to unwrap for the holidays, my birthday or whatever other special occasions there are in the year. Some standouts include challenge replicas (these are for the die-hard fans that live and breathe Survivor), puzzles, and, of course, tons of Jeff Probst merch (Probst is the show’s first and only host, and has gained quite the fanbase).
There’s no shortage of gifts you can buy online for the Survivor enthusiast on your shopping list.
And if you suddenly find yourself interested in watching the show, let me explain your different options because it gets a little complicated.
If you want every single season in one place, sign up for Paramount Plus. It has all 45 seasons—from the very first, “Survivor: Borneo” (which aired way back in 2000), to the ongoing “Season 45.” You won’t have trouble flying through all 40-plus seasons thanks to Paramount Plus. You could even gift a subscription to the biggest Survivor fan in your life because trust me, they will be forever grateful.
Where to start? Pro Tip: Don’t watch the show in order of seasons. Instead, I would recommend kicking it off with Survivor: Cook Islands (Season 13)—that’s what got me hooked. I also enjoyed watching Survivor: Cagayan (Season 28), Survivor: Tocantins (Season 18), and Survivor: Millenials vs. Gen X (Season 33). Check out this spoiler-free episode guide if you really want to get into it.
If you don’t have Paramount Plus, don’t stress. Hulu has a handful of seasons, specifically seasons 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 44, and 45. You can also watch the current season with a Hulu + Live TV subscription. It airs every Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET on CBS. Plus, you gain access to multiple streaming platforms now that this bundle also comes with Disney+ and ESPN+.
And if you somehow still need more streaming options, check DirecTV Stream. DirecTV is the best overall pick to watch Survivor for free because of its free trial, price (including its current deal), and channel selection (which includes CBS). Not to mention, DirecTV Stream offers a five-day free trial and has a current deal where new subscribers can receive $10 off their first three months.
Now that I’ve given you the complete breakdown of how to watch Survivor, it’s time for the fun part: the gifts. As a fan myself, I’d say I have a pretty good idea of the presents they’ll want and cherish—and these are the best.
15 Best Survivor Gifts to Shop Now
Photo: JessupRoad/Etsy.
If there’s one gift on this list that is absolutely foolproof, it’s this iconic buff. Every single contestant must wear one to indicate their tribe alliance. On the show, they usually wear it as a headband, tube top, or armband. I was gifted one IRL and have certainly considered making a Halloween costume out of it.
CBS.
I present to you a replica of the pen the contestants use
to write down each other’s names (vote each other off) at Tribal Council. Any super fan will immediately recognize this writing utensil.
CBS.
This ugly Christmas sweater-inspired Survivor sweatshirt is so fitting for the holiday season. It might not have the show’s name on it, but viewers will see the Survivor slogan, “Outwit, Outplay, Outlast,” and know exactly what this garment is referring to.
Paramount.
In need of a stocking stuffer? These Survivor socks have got you covered. One reads “If you can read this” and the other reads “The tribe has spoken,” a line the host says at the end of every Tribal Council.
MoltDesigns.
Now this is a coffee mug
I’d be proud to display on my office desk or in my apartment. Who knows, it might make for a great conversation starter.
CBS.
This Survivor hat is covered in easter eggs. The five LED lights at the front resemble the kinds of beads you might spot on a hidden immunity idol, but they also, of course, can help illuminate your path. At the back, you can find “The Tribe Has Spoken”, and under the bill, you can find a bunch of Probst’s iconic lines from the show.
Photo: VexzlePuzzles/Etsy.
The challenges are arguably the most entertaining parts of the show. Whether it’s a puzzle or a full-blown obstacle course, the challenges are always complex and so well-designed. That’s why I was surprised to find this miniature replica of the Bow Diddley, which is a Survivor challenge staple. Contestants have to balance a tiny ball at the top of their bow as they stand on a beam that gets narrower and narrower (a.k.a. harder to stand on and keep their balance). Any die-hard fan would love this 18-inch long and 5-inch wide replica.
Photo: WriterDesigns/Etsy.
Fire is a key symbol throughout every season, as it quite literally represents each contestant’s life. Whenever Probst snuffs one of the contestants’ fire at Tribal Council, that means their time on the show is over. This Survivor tradition makes this candle the perfect gift. It comes in Sea Breeze, Vanilla Bean, and Comfort Spice fragrance options and has the show’s motto, “Outwit, Outplay, Outlast,” on it.
Photo: HannahNDesigns/Etsy.
Don’t let them decorate their tree without this Survivor ornament. It has the show’s motto and the host’s signature line. You can even pick out the color of the ornament and what it’s made from.
Photo: Pundrella/Etsy.
This mug features one of Probst’s most iconic lines, which he says after reading all the votes and announcing which contestant is getting booted from the show. Unlike the other gifts on this list, this one can be customized. Add a personal touch by including your giftee’s name on the scroll.
SipAndGoStore/Etsy.
Wearing a colorful buff in everyday life might not be practical, so if they would appreciate a gift they can actually wear on the daily, get them this Jeff Probst t-shirt. Its vintage flair makes it a statement shirt they’d probably love to flaunt in public (I know I would).
VexzlePuzzles/Etsy.
Contestants have to complete puzzles in challenges all of the time; ones that look just like this replica. If they’re like me and wonder how they’ll fair in a puzzle showdown, now’s their chance.
Photo: HannahNDesigns/Etsy.
Get them this t-shirt with their name in the middle so that they can wear it in their Survivor audition tape. It comes in sizes Small through 3XL and in an array of vibrant colors.
Photo: OUTPLAYPUZZLES/Etsy.
Honestly who needs UNO or a deck of cards when they have this party pack of Survivor-inspired puzzles? They’re all based on challenges that have actually been solved in the show, like the tree, fire, and maze puzzles, but you can also add more to your order.
Photo: HannahNDesigns/Etsy.
Probst is an icon, which means he definitely deserves a coffee mug with his face plastered all over it. Troll your Survivor fan giftee with this hilarious item. You can even choose whether it’s a mug, tumbler, or water bottle.
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We won’t be getting our hands on a Shein filing just yet, but we can’t wait to — especially to understand the logic and math behind its ubiquitous ads. But in the meantime, we landed on some unexpected tidbits from Molten Ventures, which will be of interest to both VCs and founders.
By the way, if you plan to be in San Francisco on January 24, that’s your opportunity to join StrictlyVC’s first event of 2024. There, you’ll get to hear exclusive insider content from the Silicon Valley VC scene while creating meaningful connections over cocktails with fellow investors, entrepreneurs and executives. Buy your ticket today! — Anna
Lights and shadows
Fast-fashion platform Shein confidentially filed to go public in the United States, according to multiple media reports that consolidated earlier rumors. A few weeks ago, Bloomberg suggested that it was targeting a valuation of up to $90 billion.
Hey, remember me? I’m the girl who, right before the 2022 Game Awards, said Xbox head Phil Spencer dresses like my dad when he goes on a Sunday morning bagel run. (We squashed the beef at Summer Game Fest, don’t worry.) Though I was being playful and pointed with my fashion critiques, I wasn’t just speaking to the style (or lack thereof) on display at gaming’s biggest night, but how it’s indicative of a larger identity crisis within the industry. On nights like The Game Awards, this multi-billion-dollar industry tries its hardest to ape Hollywood, with a glitzy production, A-list actors, and, bizarrely, men in sweatshirts.
It begs the question: Who are we? Are we all wealthy industry leaders wearing denim jackets in an attempt to look more approachable, more pedestrian? Or are we wannabe fashionistas from Long Island leaning too hard into living in Brooklyn? Or schleppy gamers who throw on whatever is on top of their clothes chair in the morning? The answer is simple: We’re all of it. This is an increasingly diverse industry (despite its inability to name women), and the more that diversity is reflected in the people who attend these events, the better the fashion will be by default—because we’ll get more variety, more personality, and more cultural backgrounds on display.
This year, I’ll be attending The Game Awards (no, you can’t see my outfit yet). Since I was so passionate about fashion last year, and now I’ll be there in person, I feel it is my civic duty to provide unsolicited advice on how to look good for gaming’s Oscars.
Let me be clear: You don’t have to spend a lot of money to look good. There are tons of ways to ball out on a budget, from renting the runway, to borrowing from friends or family, to combing through thrift stores for long-lost treasures (which is how we found my fiance a 1970s-era Yves Saint Laurent military trench for $150 in Italy). Whether you’re attending The Game Awards or you just have a semi-formal event in your future, here are some tips to ensure you don’t draw the gaze of my fashionable Eye of Sauron.
Also, I’m offering personalized fashion advice, so reach out in the comments, via e-mail, or my DMs.
We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
Martha Stewart is the queen of the kitchen, but she’s also the monarch of hosting. The home cooking idol multi-hyphenate has seemingly dabbled in it all, from sharing her holiday hosting tips and kitchen hacks to creating drool-worthy one-pan meals. She’s even released her own meal kit! But now, the superstar has curated her favorite holiday picks on Etsy, just in time for gifting season. The pieces range from hosting essentials to budget-friendly gifts, all made and sold by Etsy vendors, and the kitchen items are truly one-of-a-kind.
“Shoppers can expect to find lots of earth tones, natural woods, modern farmhouse pieces, and touches of glam when shopping her curation,” says Dayna Isom Johnson, Etsy trend expert. “Martha Stewart’s Holiday Curated Collection on Etsy is a go-to guide for anyone seeking to elevate their holiday celebrations and create an unforgettable experience for their guests this season.”
Here’s just a handful of what Etsy has to offer this holiday season — and if Martha Stewart is a fan, you know it has to be something special.
Several years ago, many venues, especially stadiums, updated their policies to require that any bags brought inside must be clear so the contents can be easily seen by security. This created a frenzy of last-minute Amazon bag purchases and an overall flood of PVC plastic bags on the market. The upside of this demand is there are actually a lot of cute clear stadium bags to choose from now. From elevated clear purses and the popular crossbody variety to funky fanny packs and mini backpacks, they’re so cute and trendy that you can wear them every day.
Etsy shop “Science & Snark” takes gifting to the next level for science enthusiasts, scientists and science teachers.
SALEM, N.H., October 29, 2023 (Newswire.com)
– Science & Snark is the go-to Etsy shop destination for unique gifts tailored specifically for science lovers of all kinds—from casual enthusiasts to Ph.D. science professors. With a collection of handcrafted items that “drop some science knowledge” with an edgy twist, Science & Snark is changing the game in science-themed gift-giving.
Science enthusiasts and educators alike are often on the lookout for distinctive and meaningful gifts that reflect their passion for all things scientific. Science & Snark has answered this call with a wide range of creative products that cater to a diverse audience, from chemistry aficionados to biology buffs and physics enthusiasts but with a side of snark.
Founder and owner Becky Gallant, a retired elementary science enrichment teacher, started the unique Etsy shop because she “wished to raise awareness of the importance of scientific literacy while also having a little fun.” In addition, Gallant utilizes her shop’s unique offerings to stand up to social injustice with a science twist. “I feel it’s important to fight for and preserve the basic values that all humans deserve.”
Science & Snark offers an array of products designed to captivate and educate, including apparel, mugs, stickers, ornaments, blankets, and so much more. Currently, Gallant’s top-selling items are:
Dihydrogen Monoxide Warning Label
Data Science Holographic Sticker
The Elements of Inclusion T-shirt
As the holiday season approaches, Science & Snark is poised to become a destination for those seeking one-of-a-kind gifts for their loved ones who are passionate about science or for the dedicated science educators who shape young minds.
Discover the world of Science & Snark and browse their collection of unique science-inspired gifts on their Etsy shop at scienceandsnark.etsy.com.
When Christina Umerez first began drawing pet portraits, she had no idea it would replace her day job and give her the freedom to work just six hours a week.
But that’s precisely what happened. Christina opened up a profitable Etsy shop through hard work and effective strategy, using a combo of print-on-demand, audience targeting, and specific market research.
Today, Christina’s shop generates passive income, requiring her to work only a few hours weekly for business maintenance and fresh designs.
Umerez had extra time on her hands when quarantine began, so she started researching side hustles to generate additional income while exploring a new creative outlet. This led to painting pet portraits for her friends. Eventually, the response was so positive that Umerez began selling custom prints on Etsy, the online shop for creative artists.
During the holiday season, Umerez had so many orders that she was overwhelmed and struggled to meet the escalating demand. She knew if she wanted to keep her new business afloat, she needed to pivot.
The print-on-demand solution
Umerez did her research and discovered print-on-demand, the process of outsourcing the printing and shipping of products through an external supplier.
She started implementing this system with her Etsy shop, allowing customers to print custom pet portraits on different products. Umerez immediately saw an increase in profits but still received more orders than she could fulfill. Then, she had an idea that changed everything.
Umerez eliminated the customization and started premaking generic designs (outside of pet portraits) for her customers. She would then send them to her supplier to have them printed and shipped for her, significantly reducing her workload while she continued to generate revenue.
“I remember just sitting there, and I was like, wait, I don’t have to do anything,” she says. “I got an order, and there’s just nothing I have to do. You just have to pay your supplier, but there’s no work.”
Leaving her day job
By switching to print-on-demand and identifying her niche audience, Umerez watched her revenue rise from a consistent $300 to an impressive $12,000 per month. She decided to leave her day job, embracing the freedom and potential her pet portrait shop made possible.
Mastering Etsy
Here’s what Umerez learned about building her business on Etsy.
1. Find your niche. Umerez’s Etsy sales skyrocketed once she discovered her niche market with limited competition and a dedicated, passionate following. She initially tried marketing to ten to 20 different audiences to find the perfect fit. Once Christina pinpointed where she’d have the most success, she expanded into various sub-niches. This led to customers purchasing multiple related products, further increasing her revenue.
2. Pick the right supplier. The first step in establishing a print-on-demand business is finding a supplier to print and ship the products. Several different suppliers are available, including Printful, Teespring, and Apliiq. To ensure the smooth operation of her business, Umerez utilizes Printify as her print-on-demand supplier.
To streamline the process, Printify is linked directly to her Etsy store. When an order is placed, they handle creating and shipping the product. Umerez only has to step in when a customer complaint arises. Even then, Printify promptly issues a reprint or a refund so that Christina is not left financially responsible for any complications.
3. Stay ahead of the curve. To get inspired, Umerez spends time researching other best sellers on Etsy. She looks into what makes a good design, including exploring different fonts and colors that she can apply to her designs. She even utilizes ChatGPT to generate engaging content and witty sayings that she can incorporate into her designs.
Umerez also notes the importance of standing out by curating a high-quality listing: an enticing photo and a compelling and relevant title.
“What do you think someone is going to type in the search bar? And that if your product came up first, they would be like, yes, this is exactly what I was looking for,” she says.
4. Utilize Etsy-specific analytics and pricing strategies. Umerez optimizes her business through data analysis and strategic pricing. Her recommended approach is to include the cost of shipping in pricing—that way, potential customers aren’t discouraged by unexpected expenses.
Umerez also takes advantage of Etsy’s advertising to determine the performance of new designs. Analyzing the featured picture, product type, and design of a successful listing can provide valuable insights.
Financial freedom
Generating nearly $100,000 in profit in 2022, Umerez’s store is now almost entirely passive, only requiring about one hour daily to manage the business and create fresh designs.
Her journey from a pet portrait side hustle to a thriving Etsy shop has given her the financial freedom and flexibility to pursue her passion for travel and other life goals. Her current focus is guiding others to replicate her success and achieve financial freedom.
This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. To order presentation-ready copies for distribution to your colleagues, clients or customers visit http://www.djreprints.com.
While most interior designers source the majority of items for their clients from showrooms that are open exclusively to the trade—they also shop retail as well. This is particularly true in a post-Covid world, where shipping delays and supply chain issues are still a part of life. Projects have deadlines and budgets. So professional designers often end up purchasing from a variety of places that offer stylish furniture and decor that can be shipped quickly or purchased locally.
I spoke with several top interior designers to learn not just where they shop, but to find out their best picks from those retailers. Read on to be very surprised.
Amazon
Everyone shops at Amazon for just about everything. Even interior designer Audrey Scheck, who tells me, “We source quite frequently from Amazon given the expansive inventory, short lead times, and ease of returning items if needed. Their decor game has definitely leveled up in the last few years, and we have a fully vetted list of go-to items that we consistently purchase from the retail giant including pillow inserts, frames and vase filler.”
Target
While Target sells everything from meat to mascara, this store is also known for its stylish furniture and decor, collaborating with major names including Studio McGee and Justina Blakeney.
It’s also one of Scheck’s favorite places to shop. “Target has become one of our favorite places to source affordable artwork and small decor pieces. Their seasonal collections with well-known designers sell out quickly, and we suggest keeping an eye on launch dates and times to ensure that you can snag your favorite pieces. Most collections are previewed to the public days in advance to give you time to prepare.”
World Market
World Market sells an interesting mix of merchandise from sofas to snacks and lots of trendy decor for kitchens and bathrooms. “World Market has a great selection of pieces you can use to put the finishing touch on your bathroom or kitchen. We love their soap bottles, brushes, and hand towels. We also source seasonal dried stems from World Market, such as dried eucalyptus and lavender,” says Scheck.
Walmart
Like Target and Amazon, Walmart sells just about everything. While known for its affordability—higher-end designers like Scheck have specific things they shop at Walmart for. “They have a huge selection of candles offering a variety of scents, and there are endless options for the style of vessel. We love their Better Homes & Gardens candle line which is known for having simple, solid-colored vases and classic scents,” she says. “If you’re shopping online, we also always check their inventory of faux trees. They often carry the same selection that’s available at other retailers, and Walmart’s price is typically more competitive.”
HomeGoods
While designs enthusiasts like HomeGoods because it’s a treasure trove for everything from cookware to decor and linens—it’s also a go-to for the pros. Professional organizer and author of The Folding Book, Janelle Cohen is a fan. “It’s a great spot to find budget-friendly options. There is usually a selection of coffee table books at a much lower price. It’s also a great place to find unique cutting boards and frames.”
H&M Home
While H&M Home doesn’t have retail locations in the United States, it is a great online resource explains Cohen. “H&M Home has some really unique pieces at a super affordable price point. They specifically are my go-to for nurseries because their kids’ line is so cute with great rugs and art.”
Zara Home
Like H&M Home, Zara Home only has an online presence in the United States, but it’s a fabulous place to shop for accessories and decor according to Holly Freres of JHL Design. It’s very chic with lots of modern pieces including rugs, lighting, curtains, and linens. Zara Home also has a beautiful range of seating at a very reasonable price.
Anthropologie
From large furniture pieces to decor, Anthropologie offers options for every room of the home. So it’s not a surprise that many designers shop there. Freres like the store specifically for housewares and throws, while Rita Naffas of Rita Naffas Design shops Anthropologie for a variety of items. “I love their accessories, especially their tabletop accessories. I can always find something special in their kitchen and dining accessories too, like dinnerware and drinkware,” she says.
Etsy
Ryan Saghian of Ryan Saghian Interior Design loves to source from online marketplace Etsy. “Etsy is my secret place to shop. You can buy anything from a vintage Turkish runner straight from Turkey to a stunning African bowl and beads.”
Naffas also searches Etsy when she needs to stretch a client’s budget. “I look for custom art without the custom price tag on Etsy. I especially enjoy finding and supporting local artists. If I can’t find a local artist for what I am looking for, I have the artist send the art on an unstretched canvas. From there, I have the canvas stretched on wood and framed at a local frame store. I like to help my clients save on shipping costs, especially for oversized art.”
Pottery Barn
Naffas integrates faux flowers into many of the spaces she designs, which she usually buys from Pottery Barn. “I find beautiful staple faux pieces, like hydrangeas and greenery from Pottery Barn, then mix in seasonal flowers and colors for that custom look. Pottery Barn has great quality faux flowers and a wide selection to choose from. If I have clients with asthma or allergies, I buy faux arrangements already prepared by Pottery Barn.”
JustOneEye
Andrea DeRosa, co-founder of Avenue Interior Design likes Los Angeles boutiqueJustOneEye. “We adore JustOneEye for a well-curated collection of home accessories and tableware. Every piece is a showstopper and they carry some of our favorite brands like Ligne Blanche and Maison Balzac. There is a real collectors vibe that runs throughout the store.”
Rhode
Rhode might be known for selling trendy clothing, but its recently-launched line of decor can already count in DeRosa as a fan. “This fashion house has traditionally been known for its sophisticated, yet playful patterns and heavy doses of bright, saturated color so when they released a line of home accessories we were over the moon. Matching place settings and decor has gotten a bad rap in recent years, but their new collection of table settings has turned us into believers.”
Panoplie
DeRosa likes to call Panoplie, “A slice of the Paris Flea Market here in LA.” With a mix of both vintage and new pieces, she likes to shop there for ceramics, lighting, and furniture in particular.
Goodies
Interior designer and HGTV star Shay Holland loves to shop at bargain hunter’s paradise Goodies. “I love shopping local whenever possible so to do that plus get high quality, budget-friendly pieces is a design lover’s dream at Goodies,” she says. “The company sells everything for $25 or less. Goodies is TikTok famous but since the pieces are more minimalistic, they’re easy to personalize. So they don’t look like what’s trending in everyone else’s feeds.”
The Mart Collective
Unique items can be challenging to find. Fortunately, Holland’s go-to has lots of one-of-a-kind furniture and decor in-store as well as online.
“Living in Hollywood, one of the secret weapons in my design resource arsenal is prop houses. I stumbled on The Mart Collective when we were shooting our HGTV show. I was looking for a vintage tabletop mirror similar to the one you see on Downton Abbey ” says the designer. “The Mart Collective often works with designers and set decorators to find historical and unusual pieces for television and film but they also have iconic designer goods and decorating basics.”
Lulu And Georgia
“For finding some great pieces that are not to the trade only—we usually frequent a few places,” reveals Samantha Gallacher, co-founder of IG Workshop. “For on-trend furniture that is much less expensive, we use Lulu and Georgia. They are always refreshing their collection and the pieces usually follow the design trends of the larger furniture houses. They dabble in curved sofas, trendy coffee tables, and great beds.”
Harbour Outdoor
As outdoor spaces have become extensions of indoor spaces, finding stylish outdoor furniture is more important than ever. Gallacher loves Harbour Outdoor. “They have an incredible assortment of really well-made outdoor furniture at great pricing.”
Dutton Brown
Dutton Brown offers a variety of lighting and hardware, with a good selection of customizations. “For fun customizable installs that can easily be purchased directly by the consumer—we love Dutton Brown lighting. You can pick enamel colors and metals for both lighting and hardware,” says Gallacher.
Crate And Barrel
While it might be a staple for those who aren’t professional designers—Gallacher is very impressed with many of the items Crate and Barrel has recently launched “Crate and Barrel is amazing for filler pieces. They have partnered with some of the industry’s best like Jake Arnold and Athena Calderone to bring very stylish pieces to the everyday consumer.”
Some Etsy sellers said that they were not able to access deposits from their shops in the wake of the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank, according to Fox Business.
From TikTok to news outlets, sellers have complained that their money is on hold.
On TikTok, one seller said that money she expected to see in her checking account the next day — from the revenue generated by her shop — has been put on hold.
“I have to pay my mortgage in a few days. And I can’t. Because they have my money on hold,” she said in a video posted Saturday, adding that she got an email saying the issue was due to the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank.
The TikTok user said it’s a “reminder that we are not in control of our own money.”
The woman did not add details about the nature of her shop but said she has been a seller on the platform since 2015. She did not respond to Entrepreneur’s request for comment.
“This issue has impacted an extremely small group of sellers,” an Etsy spokesperson told Fox.
“Approximately 0.5% of our active seller base had their payments delayed on Friday. We are working to pay these sellers today and we’ve already started processing payments via another partner this morning,” the spokesperson added to Fox.
The company says it has about 7.5 million active sellers. Based on the 0.5% number, that would mean about 37,500 sellers were affected.
Last week, Silicon Valley Bank revealed a $1.8 billion loss, sending customers into panic, with founders pulling out money from the institution. The federal government stepped in on Friday and Sunday, taking control of the bank and securing the value of customers’ deposits for SVB, along with another entity, Signature Bank. Both reportedly faced bank runs.
In an interconnected financial system, financial difficulties can spread, which is known as contagion. A former official at the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) said Sunday that there is “no doubt” more banks will collapse, according to POLITICO. Bank stocks, particularly smaller or regional banks, have also been extremely volatile.
It’s unclear how specifically the SVB has impacted Etsy. SVB was a favorite among startups and venture capitalists, Elizabeth Yin, general partner at Hustle Fund, previously told Entrepreneur.
SVB also listed e-commerce giant Shopify as a client as well as venture firm Andreessen Horowitz.
Etsy said in a community forum that the company “recently experienced a delay in our ability to issue payments to some of our sellers. This was related to the rapid and unexpected collapse of Silicon Valley Bank,” per Insider.
Three other Etsy sellers told NBC News their deposits were delayed. Owen McKinney said the delay was “catastrophic” for his laser engraving shop, as he relies on timely payments from the platform to cover the cost of things like shipping and materials.
Etsy, Inc. engages in the operation of online marketplace. It offers handmade products such as shoes, clothing, bags, and accessories. It operates through the following segments. Etsy, Reverb, Depop, and Elo7. The company was founded by Haim Schoppik, Robert Kalin, Jared Tarbell, and Christopher Maguires in 2005 and is headquartered in New York, NY.
A woman’s experience getting a refund from an Etsy store went viral after she shared a rude exchange on TikTok.
In the video, which racked up 2.3 million views, Elisabeth Manente is told to “have the day you deserve” by a store selling candles, which accuses her of shopping while drunk or high.
Manente, a model and actor with 11,000 followers, said she was ordering a Harry Styles candle from Cleaver And Blade — a pop art store that sells mugs, t-shirts, and posters of celebrities in ecclesiastical designs. The candle costs $19.
She said she accidentally purchased the wrong one on January 9, realized her mistake the next morning, and requested a refund.
The interaction was hostile straight away with the store approving the refund, but complaining it cost them $5 to refund her. Manente apologized and said it was an accident, starting a testy exchange.
“I refunded you, and I highly doubt that you accidentally ordered, have the day you deserve,” the store said.
Manente sarcastically thanked the store for their customer service and said she would “see them on TikTok,” prompting a new wave of insulting messages.
“Last night while you were smoking your peace pipe, you ACCIDENTALLY went through our store and picked out a candle and purchased,” a message reads. “You woke up this morning, sober, and decided ah, better not get that candle … it was an ACCIDENT, so you asked for your money back.”
“What part doesn’t make sense to you?” the store continued after Manente answered back. “Would you like me to get my dancing shoes and create a TikTok for you to help you understand?”
Manente told Insider that she assumed the person writing to her was a teenager.
“I’m like, there’s no way an adult is talking to me like this,” she said. “The peace pipe part, where they insinuated I was under the influence, that’s what kind of threw me off a little bit. That is just completely uncalled for.”
Manente posted her TikTok on January 11. Later, the store’s owner Vladimir Costa posted a response captioned “the melodrama of St. Elizabeth, the beholder of Karen tears.”
In it, he accused blamed Manente for a backlash against the store. He also said he would start donating $5 of each sale to a local woman’s shelter in New Orleans. That post has since been deleted.
“You said you couldn’t afford the $5 refund, and now you’re going donate $5 to a woman’s shelter?” Manente said. “That didn’t sit right with people or me, because I’m like, well, I’m a woman, women end up in these shelters because of verbally abusive men.”
In a long written statement to Insider, Costa concede that his response to Manente was “piquant and sarcastic,” but also accused her of “social media weaponization.”
“Yelp, TripAdvisor, Google, Twitter, FB, and now TikTok are being used as weapons by consumers to get whatever they feel they are entitled to,” he said. “Small businesses walk on eggs losing control of their profit line with fear that they do not end up with bad reviews.”
Costa said he still did not believe the purchase was an accident.
“We are not a large business like Amazon and Wal-Mart,” he said. “We really believe that people like Elisabeth need to know that we do not operate in the same margins or with the immense large budgets they do.”
Costa also sent Insider screenshots of some threatening messages he had received from other people, including one that said “kill yourself.”
Manente said she didn’t post the video to get any kind of response, but to stop other people being treated the same way.
