'Could not send messages' problem

[StudioSweetSour]

Hello,

I'm unable to respond to my customers due to a problem: 'could not send messages' (red error).

Could you help me resolve this issue? It says, 'if this keeps happening, contact ETSY support.

[PlatypusDream]

"Could you help me resolve this issue?"

No.

No one here can help you. We are only other sellers. Only Etsy can reinstate your messaging privileges, which they will most likely not if you were breaking the Terms of Use.

https://www.etsy.com/legal/sellers/#community

"i. Messages

With Etsy's "Messages", you have the ability to communicate directly with your buyers or other Etsy members. Messages are a great way for buyers to ask you questions about an item or an order.

Messages may not be used for the following activities:

1. Sending unsolicited advertising or promotions, requests for donations or spam;
2. Harassing or abusing another member or violating our Anti-Discrimination Policy;
3. Contacting someone after they have explicitly asked you not to;  
4. Interfering with a transaction or the business of another member;
5. Exchanging personal contact, financial or other information for the purposes of evading the checkout process on Etsy, including phone number, address, email, social media handles, external URLs, instructions for money transfer, etc."

Be careful. You have other legal issues with your shop that can give Etsy any excuse to shutter your shop permanently.

[DesertChains]

@StudioSweetSour 

Perhaps Etsy removed that user. Were you asked to send your email address or a question about your items?

[MadewithlovebyNtouka]

You tell customers:
> You may not use file in part or in whole to create any new digital design to sell.
> You may not share, copy, gift, resell or modify our designs
Are you allowed yourself to use the labels of Lord of the Rings, Star Wars etc.? Even mentioning these might already violate their licence policies.

Just my thoughts...

[SunnytyDE · Accepted solution]

@StudioSweetSour if you have been contacting any potential customers without their permission then Etsy will revoke your messaging privileges. 

As @MadewithlovebyNtouka  mentioned you are not allowed to use someone else’s IP for your own designs.  Fan art is fine to make for yourself but if you sell it it becomes illegal. The Grinch for example is heavily protected by Dr. Seuss. There have been numerous take downs and shop closures lately.