Deactivated Listings and no luck with support requests

[CaitiesCraftingShop]

Within the last month I had two listings deactivated by Etsy that were in error and I received a final warning that my shop would be closed if I had another violation. My listings were deactivated for reselling handmade when I sell craft supplies. All of the listings in my store are listed as craft supplies and I have never made any claims that my items are handmade. The deactivated listings were sewing patterns to sew stuffed animals. Sewing patterns are a bullet point example under what you are allowed to sell as a craft supply in the Etsy legal handbook, so I believed I could quickly get this resolved. Every time I contact support I get an automated response about how my listings cannot be reinstated or my request gets closed within an hour with no response. Has anyone else been experiencing similar issues or had any luck contacting support? I don't care about the listings, I just want the strikes taken off my account so I don't feel like I am on the edge of being banned from Etsy for a policy violation I didn't commit. I am starting to feel hopeless at this point.

[nineteen27]

Are you reselling actual vintage and new patterns or are you making copies of the patterns and selling them over and over and over again?

I see that some of your patterns are best sellers.  

[UniqueGiftOrnaments]

@nineteen27    You're back!!!

[nineteen27]

@UniqueGiftOrnaments 

yes but for how long...

that is the question! : )

p.s.  you are still my favorite ornament.

[HazelsSewingSupplies]

I saw one that had 17 available.  Makes you wonder.

[CaitiesCraftingShop]

I do not make copies! I sell some vintage, but most of my patterns are obtained by either searching thrift stores to find out of print patterns or purchased online. Since patterns are a considered a craft supply this is allowed by Etsy. In the House Rules, "Patterns" are listed as an example here: https://www.etsy.com/legal/policy/craft-supplies/239327031264

[JMOldeVintage]

@CaitiesCraftingShop - As nineteen27 mentioned, you have multiples of patterns - I looked at one Vogue that says it's uncut & could order 4 of the listing. Obviously you may a stock of NOS patterns or connections to obtain unsold current patterns. But either situation may confuse Etsy.

What you need to do is send one help request to Etsy about the deactivated listings - be politely persistent but reply to the automated/generic reply from Etsy that your issue is Not Resolved. There have been a growing number of shop owners posting about deactivations & while some are due to new safety regulations or bots finding a "forbidden word", some issues mentioned leave me shaking my head. 

[CaitiesCraftingShop]

I believe that the problem words had something to do with stuffed animals since that was the only type of pattern that was flagged. I have since deactivated every listing for stuffed animals, toys, or doll clothing just incase. I have responded to the automatic replies but it has been nearly 3 weeks since and I haven't heard back, so I am starting to wonder if my responses aren't being seen by support. Thank you for your help, I will continue to be persistent until this gets resolved.

[PaigesPets]

Yes! I recently had a listing deactivated claiming it was not handmade but.... the item for sale was 100% handmade by me. I think my photos may have been misleading because I had a prop in the photo to display the product (not handmade or for sale). I tried contacting and got an automated response that I cannot appeal the decision. I got that message very shortly after chatting with support and them opening a ticket, so it seems as if no human actually looked into it (not surprising). I as well do not care about the listing, but the strike against my shop. 

[TangleCrafts]

Try sending a reply to the automated response and ask again for them to look more closely at your listing. Explain briefly and clearly why you don't believe it violates policy.

I recently had some vintage postage stamps deactivated  (not because of the  handmade rule but because of a different rule about selling exchangeable/useable postage or currency). I also received the automated email that said the decision could not be appealed, and the automated response to the help ticket. When I replied to the auto help ticket response & asked them to look again, a real person actually did take a look and my listings were reactivated. 

I have since had a couple more listings deactivated, and am currently going through the process again, so unfortunately it looks like it may be an ongoing issue for those of us selling items that meet selling policy but still trigger auto-deactivation by bots...

[Amaradorn]

@PaigesPets Just out of interest - what was the prop? Did it have a trademarked brand name on it?

[CaitiesCraftingShop]

I am so sorry! I really hope that your listings get reactivated. All of my auto responses have been shortly after a support request was made, too. Be sure to reply to the auto response, it hasn't worked for me thus far but it ensures your request stays open. I have seen this issue become more and more common with legitimate sellers recently. I understand the crackdown on items from Aliexpress/etc, but there needs to be a better way to appeal listing takedowns that aren't violating policies.

[CuriousityShop]

There is nothing wrong with selling original paper patterns. I had a pattern from 1945 reported as "Counterfeit" I fought it and it took two weeks. It finally got as far as Etsy legal and they gave me back the pattern and ended the reserve on my account . If you ever get a person, send them a picture of what you are selling I held my pattern in my hand and snapped the picture.

[CaitiesCraftingShop]

Counterfeit? My goodness! It seems silly to flag vintage patterns as counterfeit items when there are bigger fish to fry in that category. I'm so glad you were able to get it resolved. I haven't had a reserve or anything put on my account, but the final warning before permanent closure sent me spiraling. I tried emailing Etsy legal about my situation but the request was closed within an hour. I have been waiting 3 weeks to hear back from an actual person on one of my few requests that is still open. Hopefully I can get an answer soon so I can stop worrying about it.

[LoupedJewelry]

First I am sorry this is happening to you. I perhaps try calling but I know what you mean with the automated or canned response. Best of luck.