My shop was deactivated a month ago, with a three day stretch in between - long enough for Etsy to collect there fees, and then close it again.
$600.00 a week, to - $0.
Perhaps it was after they realized I filed complaints with the BBB, the NY Attorney General's Office, Consumer Affairs, and the FTC - or it's just their M.O. When I emailed Etsy, (no phone support - half a billion dollar co???), no reply.
If one googles Etsy complaint, you'll find this is rather typical behavior. My story is rather lengthy; but I'll just give the last horrendous act by the Etsy Integrity Nazis, as they are fondly called across the web; after being told I needed to "prove my identity" before my shop could be re-opened, I was put through an exhaustive process.
Stephanie (I'd also dealt with Eva - if you get either two dreaded names in email, and you're a seller you're cooked) replied "congratulations! I've re-activated your account", only, she didn't. They-didn't.
The email exchange through the identity process was quick; but once I complained my shop was NOT "activated", or "reopened", as I was told, there were no further replies to my emails.
None.
10 emails sent to the very same person, where 72 hours prior, there'd been an active exchange, went silent. The carrot dangled - and yanked away - once again. And I've been going through this, for over one month now. It borders on torture.
I've lost thousands.
I moved my entire inventory to Etsy. I convinced my customers to open accounts with Etsy. I cannot even reach my customers.
Etsy consumers complain they don't get their purchases from sellers? It's more than likely due to the fact that Etsy closed their shops! Etsy send NO notice to the customer (that's your job - though your locked out of getting your contacts - or the purchases).
I can no longer pay my bills.
Moreover, to make matters worse, they tortured me, for over a month, jumping different hurdles with promises that if I was I met each ridiculous request, I'd get back into my shop.
Then, silence.
Then, a flurry of emails, then, silence. Sadists.
If you are considering opening a shop on Etsy, DON'T. Do your homework - research. Don't let what's happened to me, and to so many of other businesses happen to you.
It's tempting, I know - because in theory, Etsy marketplace is an excellent idea. But in practice, don't take the chance. If you're shut down, there's no warning.
Lastly, There are a few Etsy employees who are shop owners or sellers that sit in wait jealously trying to eliminate competition by terminating the accounts of their competitors without warrant.
All they have to do is click that blasted "report this item to Etsy" button and Etsy responds by automatically suspending your shop without valid proof.
Etsy has been notified about this outrage numerous times but no action taken.
Of course you'll have to pay listing fees again to relist your products, fault of yours or not and NO it's not fair but they don't care what you think and why would you think they would?
You lose time, customer trust, customers, sales/money, your temper and sanity.
Bow to them you must because you need to make a living, you need to keep your shop open by any means necessary and so you compromise your liberties for security only to find out later that you have none.
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