Listings Deactivated, Final Warning Given, Email Responded to and now Closed - this is now crazy

[ByVictoriaMaxwell]

I’m starting a second thread here since I got nowhere with my first thread. Once again I am seeking any kind of human help from Etsy who WRONGLY deactivated my listings and have now removed my star seller and put me on final notice of shop suspension.

I was getting human replies on a ticket although replies were every 48 hours and now I check to see any update to my screen shots (that they asked for) to see that ticket has now been closed and marked as complete with no reply!

What the hell is going on with Etsy support? I cannot believe the way so many of us are being treated right now. This was an ETSY BOT ERROR and needs to be resolved. I didn’t even mind waiting days for a reply as long as I eventually got one but to be closed down AGAIN.. it’s beyond frustrating.  Does anyone know of any direct email addresses at all? 

Thank you so much!

[vintageNCtreasures]

Etsy does not have an email address published anywhere (nor a phone #).
Any you find online are scams.

Here's a call back link.  And it's doubtful they'll help but maybe will send your info to a "specialist".
Submit a request – Etsy Help

Any chance did Etsy change the category on those items? 
I've seen quite a few threads where Etsy put items in craft supplies that were NOT craft supplies and removed them from shops saying they violated the "creativity standards".

Even though when you select from the drop down menu, it shows up will be shown in craft supplies so from what I read sellers are putting items in a similar category that doesn't show up "also in craft supplies".

[vintageNCtreasures]

One example is cabinet hardware like door knobs, cabinet hinges. 
It used to be you could resell cabinet hardware, didn't matter if it was new, vintage or handmade. Now if it's "new" it's no longer allowed here which is crazy because you can't use cabinet hardware "as-is". It's a supply to finished cabinets. Now it has to be vintage or handmade.

If I type door knobs to see what category Etsy recommends it shows up:
Home & Living > Home Improvement > Drawer Knobs & Pulls

And it also shows up this:
This listing will appear in 5 related categories, including Craft Supplies & Tools and Home & Hobby.

[ByVictoriaMaxwell · Accepted solution]

Thank you for replies - just an update: Etsy did reply and confirmed they were delisted in error. The listings are now back up and I’ve asked for confirmation my star seller badges will be returned and the wrongful strikes against my account removed. Finally some progress at least, Thank you to everyone who offered help over my threads!

[cindylouwho2]

@ByVictoriaMaxwell Glad this got resolved! Was it this thread, or did you get a callback? (I try to keep track of what works)

[ByVictoriaMaxwell]

Thanks Cindy! I noticed my latest email ticket was closed so I rang the callback and the agent said it had already been escalated to the review team - I was given a ticket number that wasn’t on my help tickets but I made a note. I got an email very soon after to say the listings were live again.

Most importantly I’ve asked for confirmation the “strikes” for policy violations will be removed and my star seller badges returned which hasn’t happened yet but now they’ve confirmed the listings didn’t violate policies I am sure I will get there. Thank you for your help last week when I was in peak panic mode!

I hope this post might help anyone in the same boat - I think Seller Support are swamped at the moment due to these errors and other issues I’m sure but do persevere!  

[theCopperPoppy]

Following your case, as it' very close to mine.... It's been 48 hours since I opened my appeal, just to be met with 1 email "auto reply" ... What steps did you take to talk to a human? Did the phone call help at all? I've had no human response whatsoever to my appeal. 

[JustVial]

Glad it all worked out for you.  🥰

[DundeePostal]

I am now having the same problem, deactivation for no reason.  I just had a single postage stamp deactivated after it has been up for sale for a year now. They look like they have just picked on me as this has only started a week age with 25 listings taken down. I have tried to ask what is wrong but just get a bot email back with no help. I have asked what is wrong with my single stamp but no reply yet. i read an article that thought if a competitor reported your item then it would be taken down to their benefit, interesting!!! I wonder if they ever check this theory !!

I will try to relist again and change some settings but it seems that they have picked my account for just now and were is the 20c I pay to list does it just go into Etsy profits ?

[cindylouwho2]

@DundeePostal "i read an article that thought if a competitor reported your item then it would be taken down to their benefit" - those flags are reviewed by Etsy, so your item would only be taken down if it actually broke the rules. 

It is more likely your items were removed by bots, given there were a bunch all at once and stamps and currency are both subject to the rules: https://www.etsy.com/legal/prohibited/#Q5 "current, exchangeable currency and postage may not be sold on Etsy...Collectible postage or currency that priced at less than 1,000 USD are allowed unless subject to legal or other restrictions"

Do not relist anything that has been removed without Etsy's permission. That can lead to more takedowns, and your shop being closed. 

[DundeePostal]

Collectible postage or currency that priced at less than 1,000 USD are allowed unless subject to legal or other restrictions"

I sell collectable Philately, covers stamps as do others on Etsy so whats wrong ! I have listings running that are the same and have been selling for years now 5 star 500+ sales whats up with them. The same items are sold by others so why pick on me. Does the item need to say USED somewhere ? 

[cindylouwho2]

@DundeePostal "Collectible postage or currency that priced at less than 1,000 USD are allowed unless subject to legal or other restrictions" Current postage is not allowed, though, so check carefully to see if any of the removed ones would qualify. I see one in your sold items that appears to be an issue (and I didn't look back very far).

But of course, incorrect bot removals have been a problem on Etsy for years, and stamps have been incorrectly removed many times. Just do a forum search to see. So you are lucky if this is the first time you are being "picked on". 

"Does the item need to say USED somewhere ?" Vintage should be correctly marked as vintage, yes. If it is not over 20 years old and is not a craft supply or handmade, it cannot be sold here. I suggest reading the rules again. 

[DundeePostal]

Hi Cindy,  thanks for your clear reply, I will work towards these points.  I never got a reply with detail from Etsy.

I now understand what is needed, thanks again

David

[PlatypusDream]

@DundeePostal 

You're going to have to remove some of your listings because they don't qualify to be sold by Etsy's Creativity Policy.

I'm assuming you didn't actually design that 2018 coin? And Beatrice Potter designed the 2017 coin?

You've labelled the 2018 stamps "Vintage from the 1970s". It just looks like you are lying to get around the Terms of Use and get the listing to publish.

Don't mislabel items to cheat the rules. It will only lead to listings getting pulled and possible shop closure. Remove the rule-breaking listings and sell them somewhere they are actually allowed.