Etsy Bots are deleting my handmade items & threatening my handmade shop. I need a Human to help me.

[KiraFerrer]

Over the last month Etsy bots have incorrectly removed two of my handmade jewelry items. After researching this problem in the Etsy forums I realized the issue is someone has stolen my jewelry photos and is using them on AliExpress. I was able to find three examples of someone at AliExpess stealing and using my photos.

I have taken screenshots and provided links to Etsy. I get an auto-response from Etsy saying I have violated policy. I have not. The items are handmade by me. The photos are obviously mine as I have a very consistent background and style.

I have been selling handmade jewelry on Etsy for 15 years. I do everything myself. I make the jewelry, I photograph it, I package and ship it. This is my full time job.

Because Etsy bots summarily deleted my two handmade jewelry listings I have received a threatening email from Etsy that one more “vilolation” and my store will be shut down. They have also taken away my Star Seller status. I have had star seller status since the start of the program - here are my stats:

100% Message response rate

100% on time shipping with tracking

5.0 average review rating

0 cases

I’m walking around with a knot in my stomach, fearing my store will be shut down for something I did not do and cannot control, and I can’t get a Human Being - a real live person to help me.

Metalsmithing - aka making jewelry by hand - is my job. This is how I pay my bills. It has taken me 15 years to build up my business. I have tried sending emails and chatting with Etsy, but I so far I cannot get a real person to help me. I need someone from Etsy to care. I need someone from Etsy to help me put this right.

[NanaLetha]

You will have to contact the other websites and demand they remove your items.

[OmasFabricStash]

I did a reverse look up on google and found a lot of identical photos. Not all of them show the shop on Etsy but most of them were from Etsy. They might all be yours, some might be stolen but all the bot knows is that there are others that seem to be selling the same thing, reselling. I have read that if you sell on other platforms that you make the first photo different. 

[KiraFerrer]

Do you think my shop should be shut down because someone is stealing my photos?

[KiraFerrer]

I have done that already. They have refused to remove the photos. Even though two separate sellers on AliExpess are using my exact same photos in two separate listings.

I have refiled the complaint again with AliExpess.

Here is the catch 22: Etsy deleted my listings. I only sell on Etsy. So, even though the photos are OBVIOUSLY mine I no longer have a link back to my shop to prove it.

[PlatypusDream]

" I was able to find three examples of someone at AliExpess stealing and using my photos."

Did you pursue your intellectual property rights and issue the appropriate DMCA take downs?

No one can do this for you. Etsy won't believe that you aren't reselling items until you do.

Etsy doesn't care if you are a Star Seller if they think you are reselling. They don't care how many sales you have.

Etsy is trying to cleanse the site of illegal items and you've been caught up in the sweep.

You need to take down all the stolen photos BEFORE you ask for help from Etsy.

Good luck.

[NanaLetha]

@KiraFerrer  it should not but it's not up to us!  This Etsy bot thing searching for duplicate photos on other sites should be stopped immediately. It's difficult enough to run a shop without spending all your time doing reverse photo searches! The Etsy coders must have something better to do with their time.

[KiraFerrer]

Thank you for your kind words. I really appreciate you understanding. This is incredibly stressful.

[KiraFerrer]

I understand Etsy is attempting to cleanse the site. I imagine they would like to keep the actual handmade shops alive.

I have filed the appropriate DMCA to no avail. I am an Etsy customer. I am asking for help from Etsy.

My shop, my livihood is being threatened by something out of my control. From what I have read in the forums, it has happened to many other shops as well.

[FallenAngelBrass]

What seems to help the most immediately is taking new photos of the items.  The bots look for duplicate photos and that is all.  If you take different thumbnail photos, the bots see your items as unique and they pass on by.  This seems to be working well for other sellers in the same predicament. 

[ModKenneth · Accepted solution]

Hello! We're sorry to hear you're experiencing issues with your listings. We've forwarded your concerns to a specialist team. Thank you! 

Please know we handle support inquiries privately per our Community Policy – we’re closing this thread, so you can get the support you need from us directly.