My Shop Was Permanently Suspended Without Warning – Hoping for a Review

[SunlitReverieStudio]

Hi everyone,

I wanted to share my experience in hopes that someone from Etsy might see this and reconsider my case—or that it might help others who are going through something similar.

My shop, SunlitReverieStudio, was opened at the end of December 2024. I began actively adding my first listings in early 2025. I run a small print-on-demand business using Printify, and I sell candles and T-shirts that I design with a lot of heart and care. In total, I’ve made 11 sales so far.

I recently had my bank account successfully verified and have always tried my best to follow Etsy’s policies. I’ve been working hard to grow this shop as a passion project and potential income stream.

But just a few days ago, I was shocked to find my shop permanently suspended, without any prior warning or message. I filed an appeal immediately, but within 5 minutes, it was denied without a clear explanation of what I did wrong.

I’m truly devastated. I’m a new seller doing everything in good faith, learning as I go. I would have gladly corrected any mistake if I had been given a chance or even a specific reason for the suspension.

I’m kindly asking for a manual review of my shop and a fair chance to resolve any misunderstanding. I’m not here to break rules—I just want to create meaningful designs and be a part of the Etsy community.

If anyone from Etsy sees this, please consider taking another look at my case. It would mean the world to me.

Thank you for reading,
Wendy
Owner of SunlitReverieStudio

[JJewellerySuppliesUK]

The forum is just fellow sellers.  

What were you selling, did you use copyrighted images or mention trademarks in your items?  This is one of the prime reasons for a permanent suspension. 

Here is Etsy's article:

How to File an Appeal for a Permanently Suspended Account – Etsy

[SunlitReverieStudio]

Thank you for your reply. I did file an appeal right away, but Etsy denied it within just 5 minutes without explaining the reason for my permanent suspension.

I want to clarify that I didn’t use any copyrighted images or mention any trademarks in my listings. I’ve been extremely stressed, second-guessing every little thing I did, trying to figure out what went wrong—but I still honestly don’t know the reason behind it.

I really appreciate you taking the time to respond.

[JJewellerySuppliesUK]

Sometimes Etsy does make mistakes!! Can you lodge another appeal through the link in the article?

I notice that your shop has not been removed entirely so that's a small ray of hope. 

[SunlitReverieStudio]

Thank you for your reply

I’m not able to submit a second appeal through the link you sent, since my first and only appeal was already denied. But I have reached out to Etsy Support through this link: https://help.etsy.com/hc/en-gb/requests/new?segment=selling#issue_sell_spa_reserve-contact_select

and explained my situation in hopes that someone might take a closer look.

I really appreciate your kind words and encouragement—it gives me a little more hope

[SunlitReverieStudio]

Hi everyone, just wanted to share a quick update.

After spending the past few days reviewing everything, I finally realized what went wrong. I had uploaded some new listings that included a trademarked phrase, I truly didn’t realize it was a violation at the time. The listings had no sales and were only up for a few days, but I deeply regret the mistake.

This has been a tough but important lesson. I’ve put so much time and love into building my shop, and I would be incredibly grateful for the opportunity to make things right.

I just sent an email to Etsy Support on 20.Apr, sincerely hoping for a second chance to make things right. If given the opportunity, I will remove all the problematic listings and ensure this never happens again.

Has anyone been through something similar and had their account reinstated? If you have any advice or insights, I’d really appreciate it.

Thank you so much.

[ElysianArtisanCA]

It depends on the source of the complaint.

If a company did a takedown on your listings they will likely need to withdraw it by direct email contact. Can be hard but is possible.

If they filed a court notice through a lawfirm (usually targetting hundreds of sellers at once) then they will extort you for several thousand dollars to withdraw and etsy will reinstate. (You should hope this is the case, in which case an email will be forthcoming from attorneys)

If it was just a random sweep by etsy you may be reactivated but permanent is in the name. At this point you are probably getting bot or click the template replies. 

[SunlitReverieStudio]

Thank you for the detailed insights! I'm devastated cause I’ve received no warnings, emails, or attorney notices. It seems like an Etsy sweep with a bot flag. My appeal was denied quickly, likely a template response. Have you or others had success reversing a bot-driven permanent suspension? Any specific steps or contacts that helped? I’d appreciate any further advice!

[TBQSC]

@SunlitReverieStudio — have you read this Etsy Help Article on account suspension?

https://help.etsy.com/hc/en-us/articles/115015672628-How-to-Reinstate-Your-Suspended-Account?segment...

[SunlitReverieStudio]

Thank you for sharing the Help Article! I submitted an appeal right after my suspension, but I didn’t know the violation reason then, so it was denied quickly, likely by a bot. I’ve since emailed Etsy Support twice: first to request a manual review, and on April 20, 2025, to admit my mistake and promise to comply. I’ve worked so so hard on my shop. Is there any chance I can get it back?

[TBQSC]

@SunlitReverieStudio -- "Is there any chance I can get it back?"

I may be completely wrong, but when Etsy places the "currently not selling on Etsy" message on a shop, it usually means the shop suspension is permanent (no hope for reinstatement).  When I click on your profile name, it just says "uh oh", which confirms my answer.  Sorry.  Best wishes!

[CraftyCornishMaids]

The emails from etsy for trademark violation are from etsy legal

many e-mail providers completely block e-mails with "legal" in the address, they don't get even as far as your spam, you don't get them at all.

trademark takedowns are issued by the holder of the trademark.

If etsy closes a shop for trademark violation, they do not let it re-open. your appeal will be automatically rejected

https://www.etsy.com/legal/ip/

Etsy reserves the right to disable any listing, shop, or account that we believe violates our Terms of Use, including this Intellectual Property Policy or our Prohibited Items Policy. Etsy also reserves the right to take action against abusers of Etsy’s Intellectual Property Policy or our Terms of Use.

[SunlitReverieStudio]

Thank you for your insights! To the first reply, I’ve received no warnings or attorney notices, pointing to a bot-driven sweep, with a quick appeal denial likely from a template. To the second, I read the Help Article and submitted an appeal, but without knowing the violation, it was denied fast, likely by a bot. I’ve emailed Etsy Support twice: first for a manual review, and the second for acknowledging my mistake (trademarked phrase) and promising compliance.

Has anyone overcome a denied appeal or sudden suspension without notice, especially for a bot-driven trademark violation? I’d appreciate any further advice!

[CraftyCornishMaids]

Bot sweeps also issue e-mails, just because it is a bot, doesn't mean there is no e-mail sent.

sellers e-mail providers often block them, as there is "legal"  in the sender name - so you won't see them at all - they were probably sent, you just didn't get them.

free e-mail services are worse for this, than paid ones

However If it was trademark, and you said it was, 
and you said it was multiple listings for trademark,
etsy doesn't countenance appeals if you are closed for multiple listing infringements for trademarks

there are a large number of reports in the forums of exactly this

I have not seen a shop re-opened, after they were legitimately taken down for trademark infringement - which you said you were.

appeals will be denied very quickly, and they will eventually stop responding completely

You say you  trademarked infringed . on multiple listings - not sure what sort of appeal you can make
- ignorance of the law is not a defence

[SunlitReverieStudio]

I’ve checked my inbox, spam, and Etsy account, but found no notifications, possibly due to email blocks as you noted, though I suspect a bot-driven sweep given no sales and new listings (only a few days old). I unintentionally violated policies on a few listings (same trademarked phrase), not multiple deliberate infringements, and my appeal was denied quickly, likely by a bot.

[CraftyCornishMaids]

I very much doubt it was bot driven  takedown

However, what you did wasn't just against etsy's policies, it was illegal

so it probably was a bot driven denial of appeal, as you have no grounds for an appeal

be thankful you are not being sued too.

[SunlitReverieStudio]

I believe my shop was suspended for a phrase on t-shirts but the trademark doesn’t cover Class 025 (clothing), suggesting a bot misflag. I received no warnings and my appeal was denied quickly, likely like a bot. I emailed Etsy Support on Apr 20, taking full responsibility and promising compliance, and am awaiting a response. I am a genuine seller. I’ve worked hard on my shop. What should I do now? Is there any chance I can get it back. Any tips for a manual review or next steps? Thanks so much!

[TBQSC]

@SunlitReverieStudio -- Wendy, have you ever tried clicking on your profile name in your Etsy store (right hand side of page)? 

It produces a page that says "Uh oh! Sorry, the member you are looking for does not exist." 

This means, the Etsy Gods (bot or not) have spoken, and no matter how many times you try to appeal, your shop is permanently suspended!

Sorry!

[BagmakerSupply]

@SunlitReverieStudio: You may want to have a discussion with a qualified intellectual property (IP) attorney about allowed uses of a trademark.

If a company has a trademark for XYZ Widgets, you can potentially trademark a completely different product and call it XYZ Aardvarks, but you cannot use the XYZ Widgets trademark on your products even if they are not widgets. If you print a shirt using their trademark without permission you are infringing on someone else's IP. Some companies consider that dilution, or counterfeiting, or theft.

As has been pointed out, there do not appear to many instances of Etsy reversing its decision in cases like this.