Account suspended out of the blue

[PhotoScapeArtShop]

Dear all, 

Over the past days I have been working on creating my Etsy shop. All was going right till 5 minutes ago when suddenly I got suspended. I do not have bills to pay and I am just selling tote bags. So why? What I do not get is why Etsy does not warn you when something is wrong (if any) so that once can act before getting shut down? I had planned to start Google and FB ads and I am glad I didn't. 

Honestly, I do not like this. Any help or advice? Needless to say that I immediately wrote an email to Etsy...let's see when and if I get a reply. 

Fabrizio 

P.S.: just noticed that when looking for the Forum, I was redirected to another account...I am lost...the suspended account is TheToteBagCreations. 

[eireanneilis]

Your shop looks open? If you have another account, it needs to be disclosed in your profile.

[FrogTears]

It would be nice if they would let you know why. If you make tote bags are they made out of material with a copy write character or company?  Disney, etc? That could be it. 

[ArtDollsbyJD]

Etsy cannot close a shop for copyrighted characters?  That is the job of the older.  Etsy cannot assume that job. 

[FrogTears]

They can deactivate the listings. Didn't know whether they could close your shop or not.  Thanks for letting me know!

[hopeandjoystudios]

They can deactivate any listing or close any shop they want.

[CraftyCornishMaids]

@ArtDollsbyJD 

Etsy has the new word "counterfeit" and they consider upcycled garments with logos, counterfeits,

...... also, it's a broad term, so IP infringing items, could also be called "counterfeit" if they are in handmade

they can, and do, remove listings, and close shops for this, according to their latest transparency report

...

Counterfeit or unauthorised items are prohibited on Etsy. We consider counterfeit or unauthorised goods to be items that imitate an authentic good, particularly by using a brand’s name, logo, or protected design without the brand owner’s consent.

Etsy also removed 346,408 listings in 2021 for counterfeiting violations, a 3,148% increase over 2021.
We closed 27,979 shops for repeat infringement and counterfeiting violations, a 71% increase from 2020

[Amaradorn]

How many shops do you have then?

Unfortunately without being able to see your shop we can only guess as you why it was suspended.

Did you get an email from Etsy?

https://help.etsy.com/hc/en-gb/articles/115015672628-How-to-Reinstate-Your-Suspended-Account

[PhotoScapeArtShop]

Indeed I contacted the Etsy team and let's see when they will reply....I need to say that Etsy customer support isn't the best I have seen. 

[ArtDollsbyJD]

Sometimes Etsy closes shops accidentally when they are brand new.  

Contact Etsy and ask. 

Question, why would you start Facebook and Google ads if Etsy offsite ads do the same thing? 

[PhotoScapeArtShop]

Regarding the Ads, I am just experimenting. Etsy Ads are great to start brining traffic but as s new shop with zero sales and zero reviews I feel I need to bring some extra traffic to get it go. 

[Amaradorn]

@PhotoScapeArtShop  @ArtDollsbyJD  There are 2 different types of Etsy Ads:

1. Std. Etsy Ads - promote your items ON Etsy only. 
2. Off-Site Ads - promote your Etsy items OFF Etsy (but managed by Etsy)

You can also run your own Ads on Google/Facebook etc. The benefits of this is that YOU have full control over when, when and how you advertise - plus how much you want to spend. You can point it to your website and then funnel buyers to your Etsy shop to purchase.