What is better Value?

It is so easy to walk down to the nearest store and buy what you need. The problem is thousands of other people are using, wearing or giving that same item.

Uniqueness seems to take a second these days to bargain shop and convenience. Or does it?

More and more people are looking for that special item that nobody else will have. Or at the very least very little will have. But where do you find such items?

One trusted place is actually more convenient then you might think. It's called Etsy. http://www.etsy.com/ is an online marketplace of artists who create limited edition or one of a kind items using their own special skills and flare.

The great thing about shopping online is that you do not have to wait in line and you can shop at any time of day or night. Not only does this make shopping less stressful but in some places you have an opportunity to find out more about the item you are interested by actually talking to the person who made it!

How many times have to picked up an item and wondered things and when you went to ask a store clerk all you got was a shrug or a very disinterested and slightly rude "I dunno".

Places like http://www.etsy.com/ , you won't find this. They want your business and appreciate any interest you show in their special creations. They want your business and want you to be happy enough with their service so that you will come back.

Shopping with the smaller guys often offers better customer service, generally better quality and you can pretty much count on the fact the you will be the only one owning that item, or at the very least there wont be thousands of others anyways. Maybe just a few, depending on what the item is.

Yes, sometimes that means you need to pay a little more, but you also get more for your dollar then what you would get at a retail store. So really the better bargain isn't always the quick fix, cheaper version of some mass produced item that everyone and their grandmother owns. that came from a group of disinterested, tired, minimum wage drones, who are only there to pay the bills and really do not care if you are happy or not. they only ask , because they are paid too.

Ever notice when they ask if you found everything OK , or ask how you are, they generally don't give you their attention long enough for them to hear your answer? Lack of care or concern isn't that only minus to retail shopping.

How many times have you walked into a store looking for something, couldn't find it and then went looking for help. Half hour later you find a uniformed drone, who looks mildly annoyed that you bothered them for assistance, only to hear them tell you some vague reference to the location of an item they aren't even sure of themselves because they don't care.

Then there's the "we are all out" or "just what's on the shelf" game.

Most artists on http://www.etsy.com/ will custom make something just for you, if you don't see what it is that your looking for. Not only that, but if what you want is sold out they generally are able to make you one and place a reserve on that listing so only you can buy it.

You get a lot more for your dollar when you buy hand crafted. You also make a new friend who will take it upon themselves to make sure you have a pleasant shopping experience when you do business with them , and that will make you want to come back.

To help you with deciding for yourselves on deciding if this is the right choice for you I have asked artists on Etsy to show an item them have made just for you and talk a little about it. In exchange we ask that you take a moment to critique the items you are offered and maybe even take a moment to go look in their shops on Etsy.

You just might find what you are looking for. All you need to do is sign up on Etsy, which is easy and painless, its also free. Then start exploring a whole new and more pleasant way of shopping.