Help, Etsy has delisted my items because of a banned phrase!

[JackieDuckworthArt]

Nightmare - my biggest seller has been delisted because you aren’t allowed to use the phrase ‘mystery box’ anymore.

OK I thought, I will re-list it as Puzzle Box (which is what it actually is). But it still won’t let me re-list it - I have tweaked the text so it doesn’t say mystery anywhere. Is it recognising the photos? 

What do you suggest - I can’t take photos that are significantly different because they will still be of the same puzzle.  Though I suppose I could try taking ones that are from a slightly different angle or something? 

And does the existence of my ‘mystery box puzzle’ explain why my sales as a whole have been so low recently? Would it have pushed me down the algorithm?

I emailed Etsy and just got a standard unhelpful reply. 

Thanks.

[CraftyCornishMaids]

If etsy takes it down, you can't relist

you have to appeal to etsy, for them to relist.

[JackieDuckworthArt]

I’m trying to list it as a different item, with a different title and the banned phrase not included.  it just thinks I’m trying to con the system, I think.

[CraftyCornishMaids]

I would appeal, as you want the black mark against your account removed too.

[VintageRescueSquad]

Well, we are not allowed to sell "mystery" listings, meaning the buyer will get something unknown, like a "mystery flannel shirt". It opens you up against not-as-described cases.

Create a new listing, using either new photos or a secondary photo. Scrub the language to avoid confusion

[PristinityJewelry]

"...Would it have pushed me down the algorithm?..."

Possibly.  Likely?

Having an item de-listed for breaking the rules ends up as a blemish on your record with Etsy.

Eventually they shut down shops for too many violations.

[JackieDuckworthArt]

So if keep trying to get my puzzle back up I may get suspended completely? Oh joy… 

[PrairiePrimitives]

@JackieDuckworthArt I'm assuming your puzzle has an image of a "mystery box" (whatever that is, because I'm not sure) ... and not that the buyer will receive a "mystery puzzle," is this correct? If you have been shipping random "mystery puzzles," that's no longer allowed. 

Are you trying to relist the same listing? That won't work. 

Have you tried to list it as a new item? 

Simply trying to relist probably won't give your Etsy account any black marks. If you're somehow successful in relisting the same listing (not as a new listing), that would be different, however. 

[hopeandjoystudios]

If it is a puzzle box and there's no mystery about what they get, you need to make a new listing and not use the word mystery anywhere.  You can't edit and reuse a deactivated listing

[CraftyCornishMaids]

the word is used more like a 

murder mystery

so it's a mystery you solve

[JackieDuckworthArt]

I tried that. It was immediately delisted. I'm scared of getting a complete suspension now.

[hopeandjoystudios]

I get your concern. Are you sure it was the "mystery" and not something else? Are the books all public domain/out of copyright? If they are PD you are just going to have to try to contact Etsy..sorry!

[BagmakerSupply]

@JackieDuckworthArt: "Help, Etsy has delisted my items because of a banned phrase!" How do you know this, and more importantly how do you know that this is the ONLY trigger that caused your listing to be deactivated?

[JackieDuckworthArt]

That was on an email I got from them. It was all about 'gift baskets'. For example it told me that I have to have have photographs of all the contents, and list clearly all the individual contents - I have always done both of those on my puzzle listings. The only thing in the email that I had contravened was the word 'mystery'.

[BrooklynStVintage]

If you tried to list a fresh new listing with no mention of a mystery box and it was deactivated, I would suspect a human has to look at it. It takes time so just be patient. I would not try to do anything else with that listing for awhile. If after a week or so you don't see it approved then start an appeal process.

[PlatypusDream]

I would definitely fight this with Etsy as a false removal.

You are selling original artworks / miniature books in the mystery category - perfectly legitimate!

People should be able to use that common word to actually describe what they're selling, FFS!