Quick reply while I have a sec. I've spent way too much time over the years digging into listing metadata to see if stuff is actually local or just dropshipped junk. These platforms prioritize high-volume SEO over actual craftsmanship, so you gotta be your own detective. Usually, I look for specific technical markers before I even consider the budget.

• Run a reverse image search on the photos. If the same shot pops up on cheap wholesale sites, it's a pass.
• Look for process photos with messy workshops. Real makers dont have perfect, sanitized studios.
• Check the price-to-labor ratio. If it's handmade but costs pennies, the math doesn't add up. Lately I've been using this free extension to automatically flag suspicious listings based on shop history and metadata. It saves a ton of manual vetting time. For $100 in Chicago, maybe look into local ceramicists... their kiln schedules usually prove the items are legit.

Unfortunately, the signal-to-noise ratio for authentic goods has degraded lately. I've had issues with misleading metadata and a total lack of material transparency in most listings. To find genuine Chicago makers under $100, you should analyze production lead times and shop history. I often use a handy tool for Etsy to cross-reference product images against wholesale databases to filter out mass-produced junk that fails verification... it saves a lot of time.