How to Appeal Your Big Cartel Fees In 3 Steps

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How to Appeal Your Big Cartel Fees In 3 Steps

It's not every day that a company gets mentioned in the same breath as Shopify. However, Big Cartel has outdone itself in that regard, quickly rising through the ranks to become one of the most sought-after eCommerce builders in the US. Ask any successful small-scale artist or creator you know, and they'll likely tell you that Big Cartel played a massive role in putting their businesses out there.

At first glance, Big Cartel looks like the guardian angel it paints itself to be, insisting that it has zero hidden fees and charges zero transaction fees. While all that may be music to the ears, the truth is that there are several Big Cartel fees that you may have no clue about—and they're continually digging a hole in your monthly finances.

If you're struggling to offset your in these tough times, know that you're not alone. There are multiple solutions to help you get out of this predicament, and we'll introduce you to each one in this article. Beyond that, we'll tell you how DoNotPay can help clear your Big Cartel fees quickly, conveniently, and without fuss.

Understanding Big Cartel Fees

Before you start exploring how to fight , you should first do your homework to truly understand how they come about. Of course, this is easier said than done. Often, Big Cartel fees come hand-in-hand with a long line of charges, processor fees, and add-ons that share two traits—they're all confusing and come out of your pocket.

Once you sign up for Big Cartel, you get to choose between three different plans, the first one being absolutely free. You might be thinking how that's a fair deal (which, indeed, it is), but when processor fees and other "invisible" fees start piling on, you'll see that the actual price is a few tens of dollars more than the agreed rate of zero. In order to explain this, we'll have to cut through the confusing heap of hidden costs by breaking down Big Cartel fees and explaining what each of the sections means.

The Free Gold PlanYou pay nothing here except the fees your processor charges. Keep in mind that the cheapest you will pay for processor fees is around 2.9% + 30 cents per transaction. So in as much as this may seem like the deal of a lifetime, it's not. Extra charges still apply.
The Platinum PlanHere, you pay $9.99 per month plus any additional processor fees.
The Diamond PlanThis is arguably the most expensive plan of the lot. If at all you decide to settle for this package, you'll have to part with $19.99 every month, plus any other processor fees incurred along the way.
The Titanium PlanThis is pretty much the same as with all the other plans, except that you'll pay a higher subscription fee, typically no less than $29.99 per month.
Processor FeesConsider this the small token that you pay your processor for completing your Big Cartel transaction.

Here's how much you'll incur as processor fees depending on your preferred payment provider:

  • Stripe fees: Start at 2.9% plus 30 cents per transaction for online payments
  • PayPal fees: Start at 3.49% plus 49 cents per transaction

As you can see, you do not only pay for the subscription but also for the processor fee. Once everything adds up, the initial monthly fee you signed up for may seem like a distant memory.

How to Appeal Big Cartel Fees on Your Own

When push comes to shove, and you're unable to clear your Big Cartel fees, sitting on your laurels won't do you any good. You need to think of an alternative solution, fast. Else, your online store will be shut down, and you'll all lose your customers in a jiffy—you wouldn't want that to happen, would you?

The quickest and most convenient way to get out of such a mess is to appeal your Big Cartel fees. You can do that in several ways:

  1. Request for an Extension of Your Due Date

Sometimes, the subscription due date may come around too soon and ultimately find you unprepared. Rather than panic, compose yourself and reach out to Big Cartel's customer service desk. Explain the reason behind your late payment, ask for an extension, and promise to honor your contract to the fullest going forward. In all likelihood, your extension request may be granted, but only on the premise that you won't fall back on your subscription fees again.

  1. Learn the Art of Negotiation

While it's possible to negotiate lower Big Cartel fees, it's not necessarily easy. Not all of us are skilled negotiators, but there's one important thing going your way. Customer loyalty in the eCommerce builders industry is waning at a steady pace, so companies need to be competitive to survive. This obviously gives you an upper hand as all online store providers, including Big Cartel, would rather say yes to a small fee than lose a customer.

There are a few things worth keeping in mind when negotiating for a reduction or a complete waiver of your Big Cartel fees. Being courteous is important, but it is not the only thing worth taking into account. Try to do the following:

  • Keep a friendly, assertive tone no matter what.
  • Make sure you speak with someone who has the power to help you.
  • Don't push things too far. If Big Cartel is reluctant to lower your fees after a few tries, back down.

The best way to get what you want out of any negotiation is to start by asking for more than you need, then slowly working your way down. For example, if you're targeting a $10 reduction on your Titanium subscription, start at $15 to allow some wriggle room for negotiation.

Still Stuck With Costly Big Cartel Fees? Let DoNotPay Take Over From Here on Out!

Each of the options we mentioned above is fairly time-consuming, and more often than not, extremely stressful—especially if you want to get things done fast.

What if we told you that you do not have to appeal Big Cartel fees on your own? We know how precious time is and how little of it you have to yourself. DoNotPay can remove the bureaucratic red tape out of the whole process, helping you appeal merchant fees in a matter of minutes, if not less.

Once you sign up for DoNotPay on any web browser, follow these simple steps to get the help you want:

  1. Search "appeal fees" on DoNotPay, choose the Fight and Waive Fees product, and select the type of fee you want to appeal.

  2. Select the merchant you want to appeal fees for and enter the details of your transaction, including an associated account if you have one.

  3. Submit your case! DoNotPay will generate the best argument for your case and make sure your fee waiver request gets sent to the merchant for processing.

And that's it—your job is done! You won't have to wait for long before Big Cartel responds to your plea and takes the appropriate course of action.

Explore DoNotPay's Many Other Useful Features

From the very beginning, we knew that we wanted to create a platform that makes your life easier and less stressful, and we believe we have achieved just that. Apart from helping you fight Big Cartel fees, Shopify fees, HOA fees, Etsy fees, and everything in between, you can rely on DoNotPay for:

Think we're the perfect match? Sign up for DoNotPay today to find out!

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