Ouch!!!
I’m very sorry that this has happened to you.
I’m glad that Etsy did shut the copy-cat shop down. But I think it will fall to you to keep checking from time to time to make sure that they don’t just reopen under a different name.
Why people can’t use their own creativity rather than leaching off he efforts of other people I don’t know!
You make fab shoes and I’m glad that I will still be able to follow you on FaceBook while I dream of being able to afford what I want.
https://www.facebook.com/fairysteps?fref=tsI don’t think this thread ought to closed down. You have used very measured tones for a very annoying situation. And I think it is important that this sort of thing is brought to peoples notice. It is so easy to be naive about what can happen on line and we all need to be vigilant about the unscrupulous and looks out for each other as well as minding our own backs.
If anyone finds evidence that someone is copying them, it is our own responsibility to draw it to Etsy’s attention. Etsy can’t take the initiative to intervene because they wouldn’t have all the necessary information to tell which shop is copying which. – Perhaps this is what they meant when they told the other shop that “ it was not their responsibility”(?)
I still live in hope that Etsy can respond to your situation in a more productive way that will be more reassuring.
Meanwhile, I understand your desire to back off out of here. So BIG HUGS to you & good luck with your website and other outlets.
Lynn
PS I see you are in Exeter too, do you ever indulge in any Open Studio events?