Help Needed: Wrongful Etsy Account Suspension After 18+ Months of Success!

[noblino]

My story is different from many others facing account suspensions. After 18 months of successful sales on Etsy, with an Etsy Star, flawless reviews, and no missed payments, my account was suddenly suspended for reasons that still make no sense.

Three weeks ago, I received an email asking me to verify my seller information within 10 days. I uploaded my ID as requested, and then my account was placed in "vacation mode" because, apparently, my passport couldn’t verify my ownership. Thinking it was a technical glitch, I submitted my driver’s license instead. Next thing I knew, my account was completely suspended.

Believing this was an automated error, I filed an appeal (the only way to contact Etsy after a suspension). After two weeks of silence, I checked my appeal status, only to discover that it had been deleted without explanation. My only option was to file another appeal, but how long will this keep going?

I’m shocked that a platform like Etsy, which prides itself on community, can shut down long-time sellers without explanation or a clear way to resolve issues. Who does this to trusted partners? Do they realize they are potentially destroying livelihoods? And how do you fight back when the only communication method, an appeal form, gets deleted?

If anyone has tips, advice, or a way to get through to Etsy, I would be forever grateful. Please share if you can help!

[GodivaJewels]

Your shop is gone

[noblino]

After being asked to upload my ID twice to confirm my identity (with exactly the same name as in my account), I got an email saying my account was deleted. The email mentioned I had 6 months to appeal, so I did—twice.

After each 2-week wait, my appeals were simply deleted with no response. I’m left with no way to contact Etsy directly.

It's baffling that a platform can operate with such arbitrary systems, leaving loyal sellers completely in the dark and unable to even get a basic response. Has anyone else experienced this? Any advice on what to do next would be appreciated.

[CatsWhiskersCurios]

Why were you selling? Etsy has been clamping down recently on shops that sell items not in line with their policy.

[noblino]

Exclusively handmade products and products that I produce under my registered brand. How can a partner seller simply be banned from the platform and thrown out for no apparent reason? Why is there no possibility to appeal, why is there no response, how is this possible...

[FallenAngelBrass]

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@noblino wrote:

Exclusively handmade products and products that I produce under my registered brand.

There's almost always a reason, but sometimes the reason is not apparent to the shop owner.  What were you selling? Were you using anyone else's intellectual property?(characters, names, brands, logos, etc.)

[noblino]

I am not saying that I am faultless, i am saying that I am not aware of any guilt and i have not received any indication of an offence.

the account closure was carried out with the argument that my identity could not be verified.

I have uploaded 2 IDs that confirm the name of my account. I have two first names and two surnames, but have used one first name and one surname all my life, so I did on my account. I initially identified this as a problem and explained it again when I objected.

[CraftyCornishMaids]

Either etsy thought you were not putting the correct tax info or ID for the country your shop was set up in,

or they looked at what you were selling, and decided you shouldn't be here

with no shop to look at, it would be a guess either way

[noblino]

the shop is registered in germany, every offence against tax law is punished more severely in germany than anywhere else, my details are correct and taxes have been paid since day 1, i have a company and corresponding setup for automated processing.

my shop information was correct, my name is the same as on my ID. my products are unique, my brand is registered and protected by copyright.

[thatregina · Accepted solution]

Hello @noblino, we have escalated this to the appropriate team for you. Thanks for your report, and to those of you who have offered help and advice! Bringing this to a close, as support issues can only be resolved privately.