2 Shop Owners: Concerns About Shop Closure and IP Address Usage Across Two Computers!"

[GulFloraWedding]

Hello,

Currently, I operate two computers and manage one shop. I typically use both computers for logging in, with a preference for the faster new one. However, I'm contemplating opening another shop soon and intend to allocate the new computer for its management, while retaining the old computer for the existing shop.

I have a concern: if the old shop encounters issues and is forced to close, could this potentially impact the new shop, which I accessed from the new computer? My understanding is that Etsy stores IP addresses. Therefore, if the old shop were to face closure, Etsy might recognize that I previously logged in from the new computer for the old shop, possibly leading to repercussions for the new one.

Could anyone with experience managing multiple shops or technical expertise shed light on this matter?

Thank You,

Erhan

[NanaLetha]

Do you have more than 1 modem? 

[GulFloraWedding]

Not yet; but thinking to have 2 modems as well

P.S. The new shop will be in another name and account

[LastCentury]

first, why do you need separate computers? I have 2 shops & I just open 2 browsers on the same computer.

Second... this when you do open a 2nd shop:

https://help.etsy.com/hc/en-us/articles/360017604474-How-to-Open-a-Second-Shop-on-Etsy?segment=selli...

"If you choose to run multiple shops on Etsy, you must list all the shops you run in the Public Profile section of each account. Each account must also comply with Etsy’s Seller Policy. "

If the first shop is forced to close... why would it? Does it not comply with etsy's terms? Is someone else using it to sell prohibited items? Are you buying from your other shop? (shilling). Are you planning to sell the same thing in both shops? Just wondering with some potential things that could create issues. And yes, if the first shop gets closed, it could affect your 2nd shop since both shops need to be connected as mentioned above. Same IP or not same IP. It is still YOU.

[GulFloraWedding]

Thanks for the reply,

We just faced a problem turning the existing shop from individual to a business shop. We did all right; but Etsy somehow put us on vacation and it was creepy to solve. 

We do not want to face any kind of problems that is not because of us. So we wanted to be precocious actually,

If we have not used both computers in existing shop; then it would not be a problem as we would be using one computer for each shop and 1 wifi for each shop.

So having 2 computers like this made us ask  

[Amaradorn]

Etsy uses much more than IP addresses when deciding if multiple shops are linked to the same person. In fact I'm not even sure they use IP addresses at all anymore. Perhaps it's best to just ensure you are trading within the rules and then there shouldn't be much to worry about.

[GulFloraWedding]

Thank you,

We just faced a problem turning the existing shop from individual to a business shop. We did all right; but Etsy somehow put us on vacation and it was creepy to solve. 

We do not want to face any kind of problems that is not because of us. So we want to be precocious actually,

[hopeandjoystudios]

If your first shop is closed for legitimate reasons I would hope and expect any other shops to be closed too. They would have more than just IP to connect them. Your tax ID. Probably same bank account etc.

[GulFloraWedding]

Thanks, new shop will be in my husband's name and account

[AAANativeArts]

Both computers on the same Internet connection will have the same IP address. I am assuming you aren't paying for internet connections from two internet providers. So, yes, if one gets banned, the other one will likely get banned, too. 

[AAANativeArts · Accepted solution]

@GlassyFields 

A lot of people do have the same IP address. You also have the same name, the same tax id, the same address, the same bank account. Plus your computer is full of cookies from Etsy that will tie you to your original account if you haven't deleted them.

[GlassyFields]

@AAANativeArts 

Yes, an IP address can remain static, or it can be variable.

Mine happens to be variable.

The IP address can also be changed by running IPCONFIG on a computer to reset the IP address.

Because of this I've always assumed that Etsy has to use more than IP address to determine a store's relationship to other stores.

[GlassyFields]

@AAANativeArts,

If two devices on the same network have the same IP address, an IP address conflict will be generated. 

The first part of IP addresses may be identical but not the entire IP address.

[GlassyFields]

It has to be more than IP.

I had satellite internet for years. The IP constantly changes.

Now I have cell based internet. The IP changes.

And I've changed internet providers several times.

And I've logged into my Etsy store from all over the world - literally.

Yeah, same IP might be a clue in some cases but don't see how it works for many.

[GulFloraWedding]

Thanks a lot

[VogueVixens]

I expect your name and physical address would be the same on both shops, so Etsy will know the two shops are connected even if you used two different devices in different places (ex. On at your home, one at your day job).

You really don't need two computers, just two different browsers, such as Chrome and Firefox so that you can be logged into two Etsy shops at the same time. Actually if you use Chome on a computer/laptop (so not a phone or tablet), Chrome lets you create PROFILES, so you can create two profiles and be logged into one Etsy shop in each. 

It is true that if Etsy chooses to close one shop of yours, they could also close the other, depending on the reason it was closed. You choosing to close a shop shouldn't be an issue that would affect the other. 

I share two shops with my mother and we live in different houses in the same city, never had an issue with that, being logged in at the same time, into two different shops at the same time.

Only problems have been in the last 2 years when she is travelling and trying to access Etsy, some times the security program "prove you are human" just goes on forever until she gives up.  Before 2022 we never had an issue accessing Etsy when either of us was travelling to USA or Internationally.

[GulFloraWedding]

Thanks for the detailed reply,

Very good point, how about if it is in another name ? Not linked ?

Cause we just faced a problem turning the existing shop from individual to a business shop.

We did all right; but Etsy somehow put us on vacation and it was creepy to solve. 

So we wanted to be precocious actually,

If we have not used both computers in existing shop; then it would not be a problem at all as we undestood 

[GlassyFields]

I realized that a lot of us zeroed in on the IP part of your question.

It might be better to make sure that you're compliant with all the Etsy rules

... read the seller handbook

Disclose all your shops in all your other shops

make or design everything you sell yourself

make sure your work is original and that you're not using anyone else's intellectual property or images to sell your work

make sure you're complying with all laws

don't make any medical claims

make sure its a tangible product - not a service

oh - vintage, handmade by you or craft supply

don't use what other's are selling as a guide - you might be copying a rule-breaker who hasn't be caught yet

those are some of the rules, there are quite a few

so the real answer is to keep both of your shops on the straight and narrow and have both of them stay out of Etsy trouble.

[BagmakerSupply]

@GulFloraWedding: Assuming you're using a router (as you should), web sites can only see the router's IP address, not your devices', so to Etsy all the traffic is coming from the same IP address, regardless of how many devices you are connecting from.

[GulFloraWedding]

Thank you; so if you use 2 routers 1 for each shop it can be solved yes ?

P.S. Other shop will be in another name

[ArtDollsbyJD]

@GulFloraWedding   It's not two computers.  It is two browsers. Or going in and out of the shops on one browser.

If your older computer is too old it may be vulnerable to malware.  It might be better to let that old one go to computer heaven. 

In terms of the address, it is not the router or modem.  It is the MAC address of the computer that Etsy uses and Etsy has those MAC addresses that are used through the wifi. 

To create a new shop, it needs to be different from the first. 

And there is only one shop owner btw.  Whoever has the business bank account is the owner unless you opened your shop under a joint name used for your business.   

[GulFloraWedding]

Thank you,

When we checked, some people are saying different computers, some are saying different wifi' s. Some are saying all should be different; so we are lost a bit

P.S. The new shop will be in another name and account

[givemeacrown]

I'm not sure if Etsy still has the rules but it used to be that even related shops could be affected by one shops suspension. e.g. a husband and wife.  

The Seller Policy specifies (emphasis is mine):

"If Etsy has reason to believe you, Your Content, or your use of the Services violate our Terms, including this Seller Policy, we may deactivate Your Content to some or all users, or suspend or terminate your account (and any accounts Etsy determines are related to your account) and your access to the Services."

[GulFloraWedding]

This is something we just heard, thanks for the warning and details