Category placing item in the wrong category. No way to fix this.

[RedOakRoad]

After having four items removed from my shop for violating the Seller Handbook I've finally found out that Etsy is having a problem on their end that is having the system flag my items as being in the wrong category. The items were removed for being craft supplies when they were clearly not craft supplies (they were planter boxes). We originally placed them in the planter box category (indoor for some, outdoor for others) when the listings were created 9+ years ago. I assume Etsy has updated their categories to include auto populated categories because now when you choose Indoor Planters, Outdoor Planters or Planters in general the category Craft Supplies is added to your listing without your ability to remove the category. This is now why I have four listings removed in two days because Etsy is flagging my planter boxes as crafting supplies when I never put them in that category. Did I mention Etsy also removed my Star Seller badge and now says I'll be deactivated if further policy violations occur? I have almost 24000 sales, 5000 5 star reviews and have been a Star Seller since the the inception.

I've now scoured through my listings and moved all of them to decorative items because that is the only one I can find in my the planter category that doesn't add the category Craft Supplies.

If anyone reading this knows someone that can help me out to let Etsy know that their category system is currently fubared that would be great. I would love to have my listings reinstated and my star seller badge returned... since it was nothing that I actually did on my end.

The shop name is RedOakRoad

Screenshots added to show selection:

https://postimg.cc/PC1qqkG4 

https://postimg.cc/mcRgz6BG 

*I edited subcategory to reflect category*

[NanaLetha]

Craft Supplies is a category, not a sub-category.

[RedOakRoad]

Yes, I'm using it as the words subcategory because its auto selected. It states: This listing will appear in 9 related categories including Craft Supplies & Tools.

But I'll amend my original.

[RedOakRoad]

https://postimg.cc/mcRgz6BG 

https://postimg.cc/PC1qqkG4 

The above are the selection of the category and what other categories are included. Etsy states that the category Crafting Supplies is not the correct category but adds it to the planters listing anyway.

[NanaLetha]

At least one of your planter listings is in kitchen and dining.

[RedOakRoad]

Correct. Not all of my listings are purely planters boxes and have been listed in other categories. Some are listed as decorative boxes, kitchen and dining, etc because the boxes can also be used in that way.

[Adorabilities]

I don't have any helpful advice other than to say I think you've done the best you can do by finding an appropriate-ish category that doesn't automatically include craft supplies.
Sorry this is happening to you, and I think there are going to be plenty of issues like this, now that the categories and policies have changed.

[hopeandjoystudios]

I have seen this. You list something appropriately as handmade and Etsy says "this will also appear in these categories " . They removed the garden supply/planters section June 10th. And now since THEY placed your legit handmade item there they are deactivating them. A definite glitch and you are not alone.

[RedOakRoad]

Its completely an Etsy side problem but something that I keep getting negative marks on my account because of a lack of human oversight.

[hopeandjoystudios]

Try making a new listing of it in the handmade category (If it is your handmade item only) and see if it still says "This will appear in Supplies>home and hobby> garden> planters" or not. If it stays only as handmade with no supply suggestions, I'd make a new listing and list ONE and see what happens ( but realize that may be at your risk)

[NickiesNest]

I just checked a new listing I did a few days ago for an indoor planter (vintage) and yes, it is listed in 9 categories including Crafts & Supplies with a Craft filled in by Etsy as Gardening.  ????  It's a mandatory field and cannot be edited.  Left hand, meet right hand.  Please!

[hopeandjoystudios]

I'd try renewing it or deactivate and relist and see if the supply categories still attach (since they are no longer available supposedly)

[NickiesNest]

If it gets taken down, it's vintage, so I can relist it as collectible pottery or as a vase, even though it is really neither and would likely suffer in search.  It can also double as an ice bucket so there are options. So far, it's still up, and still referencing craft supplies. 

[hopeandjoystudios]

Crap..maybe I better make sure I have no vintage planters in my vintage shop..

[NickiesNest]

@hopeandjoystudios 

I tried changing the category to Vases and saving it.  Then I went back to edit and changed it back to Indoor Planters.  The Craft Supply category is still there.  It seems that the programmers have not caught up to the policy makers.

[TBQSC]

“They removed the garden supply/planters section June 10th”

I've read the same thing has happened for similar “home garden” listings due to the new creativity standards.  Many such items are no longer allowed to be listed.

[RedOakRoad]

So my Star Seller badge was removed today and I'm no longer eligible to receive in the future... because of something Etsy did on their end. I'm still waiting to hear back from a message I sent into customer support two days ago.

Nothing like being a stellar seller for 10 years and then Etsy oopies something on their end and I pay for it, have to love it.

I would love to actually hear from someone from Etsy.

[cindylouwho2]

@RedOakRoad I am so sorry this is happening to you! 

I am thinking of publishing a short piece on this issue - may I use your shop as an example? I have already collected a few others, but your screenshots are particularly useful. I would of course give you credit and link to your shop or website. 

[TribesIronHardware]

I have the same problem.

I've been selling on Etsy for 11 years now and was always selling my original handmade furniture pulls and knobs. All my pulls and knobs were selling in the category:

"Home & Living-Home Improvement-Drawer Knobs & Pulls".

which automatically appears together with the category:

"Craft Supplies & Tools".

(all the furniture hardware categories appears with "craft supplies & tools")

Etsy removed 2 of my listings that exist on Etsy for years (and probably will remove more of my other listings) due to the reason: "they weren’t meeting our Creativity Standards for Craft Supplies sourced by sellers.".

The problem is that I don't chose to sell them as craft supplies or tools; it appears automatically with the "Drawer Knobs & Pulls"

My star seller was also removed by Etsy so I put my shop on vacation mode so Etsy will not deactivate more listings and my shop will be suspended.

I chatted with them twice during the last week, they have escalated my issue, I also sent them 2 emails in the last 5 days, but nobody replied yet.

I don't understand their strategy to ruin their good sellers business as well as their own.

[RueDeLouvain]

So I regularly have listings for vintage or antique door handles and for planters, does this mean that these can't be sold on Etsy any more? I'm confused now. I just checked on a sold out listing, tested it by copying (but not publishing) and checking the categories and yes it changes. This is what appears now:

Indoor Planters

Home & Living - Outdoor & Gardening - Planters & Pots - Indoor Planters

This listing will appear in 10 related categories, including Craft Supplies & Tools, Home Decor and more.

[hopeandjoystudios]

I checked my husbands vintage /antique hardware listings and they all had defunct supply categories attached by Etsy. I tried to create a new listing from the add listing button and once I put in vintage knob/pull it populated Home and living>home improvement>knobs and pulls which is the correct category but then STILL added it would be shown in the defunct supply categories. I would suggest deactivating until Etsy gets it together.

[RedOakRoad]

It is unfortunate that I'm not the only one having this problem. I'm on day 3 of my two customer support tickets without a reply so I'll let everyone know if anything changes.

[cindylouwho2]

@RedOakRoad Yes, please do update us if you are lucky enough to hear back. 

I am going to write something about this today. Sometimes we can get Etsy's attention that way. Will send you a copy once it is finished. 

[RedOakRoad]

As of an hour ago my listings were reenabled and relisted. I got a response from the customer service team but I haven't heard back about the negative marks on my account or the restoration of my Star Seller badge.

Here is the message:

Hi Seth,
 
Thank you for reaching out. My name is Alex, I'm a support manager from Etsy's Trust and Safety Team
 
After reviewing your account, we’ve determined that your listings were suspended in error. Your listings have been reinstated and should be searchable on Etsy within the next 20 minutes. 
 
Occasionally listings that meet Etsy’s policies mistakenly get caught up within the systems that we have in place to protect the safety and security of the marketplace. While we’re unable to share further details, please know we are continuously working to improve the accuracy of these systems.
 
We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. If we can help with anything else, please let us know.

Best,

Alex

- Seth

[cindylouwho2]

@RedOakRoad that is good to hear! 

It can take a day or 2 for Star Seller to come back. If not, bug them again.