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The Wild West was an iconic time period in American history, full of adventure and exploration. It was also a time of great hardship, with the environment being unforgiving and lawlessness running rampant. It is a fascinating period of history, and many of its themes are still relevant today.
Etsy is an online marketplace for unique and handmade items and also provides a platform for small businesses and artisans to sell their products to customers around the world. There are millions of items to choose from on Etsy, and it’s a great way to support small businesses and creative entrepreneurs.
Now, you may be wondering how Etsy and The Wild West have anything in common. While the online marketplace giant has their own set of rules and regulations (Etsy’s Seller handbook), there is always a rule breaker, and they rarely travel alone.
Two Worlds Collide
In the past, the only trace of loaded teas on Etsy were the occasional low level Herbalife distributors peddling bundles of five for $35. A current search for loaded teas on Etsy renders 5000+ results, ranging from cups, graphics, koozies to Herbalife in disguise. The boom of pre-made teas using the Silver Lining Lessons’ methodology has quickly saturated the market. Much like the Gold Rush of the olden days, everyone from Herbalife distributors to armchair entrepreneurs are deserting their nutrition shops and boutiques for what appears to be loaded tea gold.
When selling a consumable product, like pre-made loaded teas, the safety of the consumer is paramount.
Transparency is critical. In addition to the very specific guidelines to sell on Etsy, there are also rules, regulations and laws that apply on the state and local levels. Cottage food laws, which vary from state to state, allow individuals to create and sell certain types of food from their home, including non-perishable food items such as jams, jellies, baked goods, and candies. These laws are designed to provide individuals with additional income opportunities while also protecting public health and safety by ensuring that these foods meet certain standards.
In researching and watching the boom on Etsy over the last two years, we identified some concerning areas that we felt responsible to share with anyone currently selling, thinking about selling or on the market to purchase. We specifically chose to order from three sellers using Silver Lining Lessons recipes, original tea names and even some of our nutritional calculations. Of this trio, we were only able to successfully order from one. The other two shops canceled our orders almost immediately. It’s important to note that the orders were all placed using an official Silver Lining Lessons’ email, and there was no attempt to conceal our identity. Essentially, we wanted to do a transparent and fair review of the teas to see how they measured up, both in quality and in safety standards.
THE TEA
Seller: MMM Dry Goods
Ordered: 4 Pack Loaded Tea Mixes
Total: $14.84
Date: October 8, 2022
SLL Rating: C
