Deactivated listings with no notice or response to tickets

[NaturesNoms]

For the last few months, Etsy has been deactivating my listings. One here and there and my shop is nearly half empty at this point. I have looked high and low in my emails for any notice and have not received anything from Etsy other than notifications of a sale or review given (so I know I AM receiving emails). I have opened 4 tickets that have all sat for 2 weeks before being marked as "resolved". I'm not sure what their issue is with my postings. They have no problem working to take my listings down but when it comes to helping their sellers, I guess it's too much to ask.

My store is NaturesNoms. Can someone help me understand why my listings are being deactivated with no ability to renew/reissue them?

[BlueAgateFarms]

Could be medical claims. “Improve digestion: Sprouts contain enzymes that help break down food and make it easier for pets to absorb nutrients.” Even if it is a pet, the bots do not appreciate medical claims.  That being said, your pet items look great. As a buyer I would not have a concern. 

[TreeTreasuresCanada]

I suspect that some wording in the "medical claims" category is triggering the deactivations.  The "Medical Claims" policy may be found at;

https://www.etsy.com/legal/policy/medical-claims/239976157654?ref=list   Hopefully you can find the word or phrase that is causing the problem.

[VintageRescueSquad]

I would agree. The thing is, etsy often doesn't specifically tell a seller WHY (except when it's a TM takedown notice) what exactly triggered it. They expect us to know and follow the rules.

Go through your listings and make sure you aren't making any medical or healing claims. Even the most innocuous ones often trigger the takedown or mention FDA, which we've seen in the forums.

[AnniebelloPaper]

I'd second and third the 'health' claims as being the problem. 

Just another head's up ... I only looked at your cat grass but please remove Australia from your list of 'ships-to' countries. Our quarantine restrictions are some of the strictest in the world and your 'soil' will not get through. They will not return it either. It will be destroyed ... leaving your buyer mightily upset. Not everyone is aware of their own countries restrictions so we sellers have to be.

[PlatypusDream]

"potential health benefits to consuming wheatgrass include antioxidants, organ cleansing, breath freshening, digestion support, help with constipation, odor control, energy boosting, and antiseptic properties."

"-Improve digestion: Sprouts contain enzymes that help break down food and make it easier for pets to absorb nutrients.
-Great source of fiber: The fiber in sprouts can help keep the digestive system healthy and reduce the risk of gastrointestinal problems.
-Antioxidants: Helps boost the immune system. The vitamins and minerals in sprouts can help keep the immune system strong and reduce the risk of illness."

Etsy's rules:

"Regardless of accuracy or legality, some types of disease claims are prohibited on Etsy. Though this list is not exhaustive, we do not allow explicit or implied claims that an item:

• Can treat, mitigate, diagnose, or cure a serious disease or medical condition, such as cancer or heart disease
• Can treat, mitigate, diagnose, or cure sexual dysfunction or impotence
• Is, or is as effective as, an analgesic, antibiotic, antiseptic, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, steroid, vaccine, or decongestant
• Is, or is as effective as, a prescription drug
• Is approved by the FDA"

Also of note:

https://www.etsy.com/legal/policy/plants-herbs-seeds-and-soil/242685907951

[NaturesNoms]

Oh my gosh! Thank you so much! The only thing I could think of was that there are restrictions with certain seeds. I was baffled. 

[sharonjenkins1]

Could it be your gift boxes?  Everything in gift boxes has to qualify as handmade, supply or vintage.

[CampfireVintageCo]

Why don't they just tell you what the problem is?

My shop has had multiple listings deactivated and I can't get a response!!

[PlatypusDream]

@CampfireVintageCo 

Can you prove your items are over 20 years old?

They certainly aren't handmade or a craft supply...

[BagmakerSupply]

@CampfireVintageCo: We will never know what combination of possibly multiple factors constitute the trigger that flagged your listing but it is unlikely that you will ever be told the exact reasoning because undoubtedly Etsy does not want to enable the ability to get around the trigger.

[BagmakerSupply]

@NaturesNoms: "Can someone help me understand why my listings are being deactivated" It is almost impossible to speculate on why a particular listing was deactivated, but Etsy is cracking down on what they feel inappropriate. Reselling is a always large factor. For example, you are selling your Adoption Gift as "Handmade", but unless EVERYTHING in the box is handmade by you are actually reselling. Did you read https://www.etsy.com/legal/policy/gift-baskets/239976666926 before you created these listings?

The problem is that we are not supposed to help sellers who break Etsy rules so you should clarify that you are only Including qualifying handmade, vintage, or crafting supply items.