"Karens" are a permanent fixture on apps like TikTok, with there being a near-daily outbreak of public displays of outrage. However, one TikToker has now highlighted how to cope with Karens on Etsy.
"Did you know there is a Karen checker for Etsy customers?" asked TikTok user @badjujumask, Julian McCleary, to over two million viewers. "We can see if they always leave bad reviews."
Karencheck.com does exactly what the name suggests—it simply scans a buyer's account to find out more about their history and exactly how much they behave like a "Karen."
Suspicious sellers can either use the website to paste the username in or they can download the Chrome extension, which allows you to scan directly from Etsy.
Etsy doesn't show the review history of accounts on the site, but the information can be publicly accessed through its API. KarenCheck grabs that information and makes it easy to see, so sellers can see if the account has a long history of leaving unfair complaints.
"I decided to create KarenCheck because I saw newer Etsy sellers struggling with problematic buyers, or 'Karens.' Many of these new sellers are women under tremendous financial pressure due to the pandemic, and have taken the brave step of selling their art," founder Sue Kim told Newsweek. "The pandemic also seemed to amplify "Karen" behavior. I wanted to empower these sellers with factual data and push back on the Karen phenomenon."
"Some people try to take advantage of small business owners, using reviews and complaints to attempt to get free items, or a refund. It's a very big problem, especially on Etsy. This is a great tool to monitor the customers who have a history using reviews to try and get something back or free," McCleary told Newsweek.
"I have only used it once, for one bad review," explained McCleary. "I did everything right as a seller, and went above and beyond to satisfy this customer. I was still given one star. Etsy is about to start a new program that rewards sellers with public badges for maintaining five star ratings, on shipping time and response time."
"Every review really counts with Etsy. I only used it this one time, for peace of mind. When I saw that she had many one star reviews, I immediately felt better knowing that she was a 'Karen' and it was nothing particular about my products she didn't like, just a person who seems to be unhappy with everything she has ever bought," he told Newsweek.
Although the site is now gaining attraction thanks to the popular TikTok video, users have reported success with it since it was created in the summer of 2020 by software engineer Sue Kim.
Reddit users have flocked to share occasions when the KarenCheck has come in handy for them while selling on Etsy.
"She ordered an expensive collar and provided a dog name and personalization details," explained one seller. "This design cannot be personalized, there is no space on the collar to do so. I messaged her twice over two days through Etsy asking for clarification, there was no response. Just out of curiosity, I decided to do a KarenCheck and I'm so thankful I did. She had written only negative reviews. I immediately cancelled her order and politely let her know why."
The seller added that two weeks later they received a message demanding they "just send the item," and "if I find any broken part, any damage, any scratch or anything like that, I will take my money back without returning the item. Just telling you."
For that seller, the KarenCheck saved her from selling an item to someone seemingly out to get items for free. However, the site has also been used for the complete opposite, with users actually "shifting to a more positive and generous outlook," according to Kim.
"The best response I've gotten so far is the shift to a more positive and generous outlook," she said. "The reality is that 'Karens' make up a tiny, tiny proportion of buyers, even though their behavior is so impactful. The most common experience with KarenCheck is seeing just how wonderful most people are, and this naturally results in better customer service."
That's not to say "Karens" have completely disappeared by the introduction of KarenCheck. In fact, some have ironically complained about the site online, as noted by Kim. "Many 'Karens' have reached out to me on Reddit and other channels to complain about KarenCheck. An entire forum for people named Karen upset by the stereotype have brigaded my Reddit account to downvote each of my posts and comments."
"They don't realize that although the term 'Karen' can, in theory, be used in a misogynistic way by men, I'm "punching up" at a group of people who have caused significant harm to me as a queer woman of color. I hope they get what they need in order to stop spreading negativity. Until then, KarenCheck will continue to help Etsy sellers screen them out."
Update 8/11/21, 2:44 a.m. ET: This article has been updated to include comments from Julian McCleary.
Update 8/16/21, 2:39 a.m. ET: This article has been updated to include comments from Sue Kim.
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