7 Warning Signs of Artisan Coffee Roaster Scams on Etsy Wholesale

Fake Artisan Certification: Be wary of sellers who claim their coffee roasters have unverified 'artisan' certifications or awards. Legitimate certifications are typically from well-known industry bodies, and such claims should be easily verifiable. If a seller is vague or unable to provide proof of their credentials, it's a significant red flag.

Off-Platform Bulk Invoices: A common tactic is for sellers to request that bulk orders be handled off-platform, often through direct invoicing via email or other messaging services. Etsy strictly prohibits off-platform transactions to protect buyers and sellers. Engaging in such deals voids Etsy's purchase protection and significantly increases the risk of fraud, such as receiving a faulty product or no product at all.

False 'Handmade' Scalability Claims: Some sellers may misrepresent their production capabilities, claiming 'handmade' scalability that isn't feasible. This can lead to long delays, inconsistent quality, or the realization that the product is not truly artisan-made but mass-produced. Look for transparency about production methods and realistic timelines for wholesale orders.

Stolen Portfolio Photos: Scammers often use high-quality images stolen from legitimate artisan roaster producers to showcase their own (often inferior) products. If a seller's product photos look overly polished, generic, or are inconsistent with the rest of their shop's aesthetic, it might indicate they are using stolen imagery. Reverse image searching can sometimes help to identify the original source.

Tiered Pricing Phish: Be cautious of sellers who use complex or unusually tiered pricing structures, especially if they are difficult to understand or seem designed to confuse. This can be a method to obscure the true cost or to lure buyers with seemingly lower initial prices before revealing hidden fees or higher overall costs.

Ghost Manufacturer Scam: This involves a seller presenting themselves as an artisan manufacturer but actually outsourcing production to an unknown third party, often overseas. The 'artisan' aspect is lost, and the quality control can be nonexistent. Be suspicious if a seller is unable or unwilling to provide details about their production facility or process.

Sample vs. Bulk Bait-and-Switch: A scammer might offer an excellent sample of a coffee roaster but then switch to a lower-quality or different model when fulfilling a larger wholesale order. This relies on the buyer not meticulously checking the bulk order against the agreed-upon specifications or the initial sample quality.