Does seller status affect buyer account status?

[DaveHelps]

Hi all,

I started my Etsy account in 2007 with the intent that I was going to become a seller, but I never did follow-through on that part. I'm just a buyer at this time, but I do intend to sell a product or service eventually someday.

However, my conundrum is that when I log in to my Etsy account I see the red-alert in the lower-left stating "Your account has been suspended". 

This has not impacted my ability to purchase on Etsy. I've recently purchase some digital art from sellers on here with no problem.

I'm just wondering what I should do about the fact that apparently the "seller" side of my account is suspended, even though I have never put anything up for sale on Etsy and have never sold anything through Etsy.

Etsy's support options funnel-down into categories and topics that do not quite fit this circumstance (otherwise I'd just submit a support request directly). I'm not very comfortable submitting a support request based on a pigeon-holed category that doesn't really match my situation, so I thought it best to first get the advice of you all here on the community.

Thanks very much for any advice and suggestions,

Dave

[UniqueGiftOrnaments]

I just see your shop as on break. Have you tried listing anything?

[DaveHelps]

Thank you for the reply - no, I have not tried listing anything, and I do not have anything to list. I'm currently just using Etsy to buy things. I do intend to sell on Etsy, but I have never and do not currently sell anything.

[DaveHelps]

PS - I'm starting to wonder if I should have two separate accounts - one for my current status as a buyer, and then one for potentially becoming a seller. I'm wondering if maybe there would be a conflict with that based on things like same name / address / phone number / email and if it's possible to have a buyer account separate from a seller account. Thanks again!

[WhatsNewPussycat1 · Accepted solution]

@DaveHelps  when you decide to sell here there are steps you'll need to follow before being allowed to sell. You don't have to follow those steps just being a buyer. Once you decide to list you'll enter the proper information at that time to begin selling you can just ignore that message until the time comes you decide to sell...

[UniqueGiftOrnaments]

If you have two, then I think you just have to have a separate email for each.

[WhatsNewPussycat1]

@DaveHelps  you most likely find that red alert pesky and you don't like it,but do not register and go through all the steps require to sell something to make that alert disappear. Because a signed up dormant account sitting one morning you wake up and notice you have everything but a kitchen sink listed for sale and you can't access anything because you aren't the user any longer... Just a giant headache that you need to avoid..

[TheVintagePineapple]

I see on your shop page that you only accept Paypal.  Has the red suspended notification been there for years, since around the time shops were required to accept Etsy Payments?  Or did it show up recently due to Plaid verification?

[DaveHelps]

Aha! That rings a bell too! When I started my Etsy account back in 2007 I signed up to also have a shop, and at that time only PayPal was required. So even though I'm not trying to sell at this time / have never tried to sell anything, the "red alert" has to do with the fact that I've never changed it to "Etsy Payments". Thank you!!

[DaveHelps]

Thank you both so much for responding. I'm much more clear on this now thanks to both of your replies!

[Amaradorn · Accepted solution]

Hi Dave, looks like you started setting up a shop but failed to complete the requirements for US sellers (Etsy Payments or Plaid verification) therefore your unfinished shop was suspended.

I would recommend closing your shop. If you choose to open a shop later it might be a good idea to use a new account (requires separate email address).

From the help pages: Once your shop is closed... Your Etsy account will become a buyer-only account with no visible shop. You can continue to access your existing orders, and you can reopen your shop at any time.

https://help.etsy.com/hc/en-gb/articles/115015777088-How-to-Close-Your-Etsy-Shop?segment=selling

Also note however that buyer only accounts cannot contribute to the forum and shop names cannot be reused.

[DaveHelps]

@Amaradorn  - Very insightful and helpful, thank you! I will indeed close the shop since I don't plan on selling anything any time soon, and knowing that it will not affect my buyer account (I have some orders in progress) and that I can always start a new shop if that time ever comes. Thanks!