Put on Vacation Mode - but received no message from etsy.

[TinkeringPaws]

My shop was just put on vacation mode but I didn't receive any message or mail from etsy.

There is no banner or info in my shop dashboard, on my shop it says "I need time to fullfil orders" - but I only have one or two open orders, which are still in their normal processing time.
The banner on my vacation mode page in the options also says etsy gave my shop a break to "maintain your shop's good reputation". What does that even mean?

I've seen another banner - but can't find it right now - which mentioned to fill in some necessary data, but I am not aware of anything that would be missing.

I'm selling on etsy for seven years, with almost 12.000 sold items, I've been a star seller almost non-stop since it was introduced ...  If there really is a reason to suspend my shop, shouldn't the bare minimum be, to let me know the reason? I filed an objection, and was told it would take up to two weeks... Even if they will reinstate my shop, this will be a huge blow... 

Not sure if this is related, but I also "lost" the option to open a chat with etsy support. No matter what I select, the only option is an email.

[MilistariJewelry]

Hi! I’m so sorry you’re going through this. My shop was also put into forced vacation mode yesterday without any explanation — the number of orders I have is normal for my shop, and all shipments and deliveries are on time. I also know three other sellers whose shops were forced into vacation mode yesterday.

[TinkeringPaws]

That gives me hope that it really is a mistake and that everything is fine with my shop... but it's still damaging our businesses!

[BlackSeaLighting]

My shop is also at vacation mode since last night. Same situation, And the chat support button is missing too. When you need that button it`s missing.

[MilistariJewelry]

I managed to reach out to support via chat, but it was useless — they don’t see anything on their side. They just passed the case on to another department, without giving any timeline for a resolution or even when I can expect to hear back.

[MilistariJewelry]

I managed to reach out to support via chat, but it was useless — they don’t see anything on their side. They just passed the case on to another department, without giving any timeline for a resolution or even when I can expect to hear back.

[BlackSeaLighting]

Your chat button is working?

[MilistariJewelry]

No, it doesn’t work from the shop. I found another way to do it.

[HITUK]

Same here

[Amaradorn]

Here's another thread from yesterday with the same issue. 

https://community.etsy.com/t5/Technical-Issues/My-shop-was-put-on-vacation-mode-by-Etsy-today/m-p/14...

[mommawhazelsquilts]

@TinkeringPaws and @MilistariJewelry - I see definite problems in both your shops - infringing and choice of subject matter.

@BlackSeaLighting  - I see nothing obvious in your shop - beautiful work.

[MilistariJewelry]

Just to clarify - my items are satirical, which Etsy allows. They don’t infringe copyright, don’t contain threats or explicit adult content.

[mommawhazelsquilts]

@MilistariJewelry   Are you saying that DJT has given you permission to use his name?

[MilistariJewelry]

I’ve never had any copyright violations, and based on discussions with other sellers, when a listing actually violates copyright, it is usually removed with a reference to the specific policy.

Recently, Etsy added a Policy Violations section. At the moment, I have no violations listed there, and I have not received any emails explaining why my shop was put in vacation mode.

In this case, it seems many shops were placed on vacation mode as a technical error, even when they had few or no open orders. This points to a platform issue rather than an actual policy violation.

[TinkeringPaws]

Not sure what's infringing or otherwise problematic in my shop. And there's no goal in doing guesses.

Etsy knows exactly why our shops were closed and it would be super easy for them to tell us, but they decided to make this awfully complicated.

[mommawhazelsquilts]

@TinkeringPaws   I went back thru your reviews and I did not find any listing that did not include the name of trademark/copyright games.

Maybe the new rules have come into play for your shop and what used to be okay (or maybe got by) is no longer acceptable.

I'm sure all of those games are protected by trademark or copyright.

[TinkeringPaws]

We use those trademarked names to describe with what games our products are compatible with. I am not aware of any rules that etsy has in place for using trademarks in your product titel (in contrast to Amazon for example). If they do, I'm happy to comply.

[BagmakerSupply]

@TinkeringPaws : "We use those trademarked names to describe with what games our products are compatible with." That is understandable and generally allowed, but ...

How you word things also matters. Calling it "Marvel United: Multiverse - Board Game Insert" implies that it was made by Marvel (or at least endorsed by them) and therefore is either a counterfeit item or you are reselling. "Board Game Insert for Marvel United: Multiverse" may be all right but Marvel can still come after you for using their trademark without permission (if you do not have a license), particularly if you do not include all the disclaimers and attributions of someone else's intellectual property.

[GalleriesVintageArt]

My shop was also suddenly placed into Vacation Mode yesterday without any prior notice.

• I did not receive any emails from Etsy.

• There are no messages in my Shop Manager related to this action.

• At the moment of the switch, I had no unfulfilled orders.

• The banner in my Vacation Mode options shows the same text about “maintaining your shop’s good reputation.”

• The support chat button is completely disabled, which is especially frustrating.

I already filed an objection, but the waiting period of “up to two weeks” is extremely discouraging. Such actions will undoubtedly harm my shop’s overall performance and future sales — Etsy’s search algorithms will not react positively to this forced pause.

If there is really an issue or any action required from me, it would be reasonable for Etsy to inform sellers first before closing their shops.

Looking at the posts here, it seems clear that the affected shops are not newcomers — most of us have been selling for years and have already been reviewed by Etsy multiple times.

This situation feels both unfair and damaging, and I sincerely hope Etsy will provide clarity and a prompt solution.

[BeaconwoodDettman]

@mommawhazelsquilts Do you have a reference or source for a seller needing permission to use the name of a president? My understanding is that we can satirize and use the name of any political figure, we don't need their permission. 

[mommawhazelsquilts]

Nope, but this person is the last person on Earth that I would choose to satirize.

This is the King of Retribution.  

I just wouldn't touch it with a 10 ft. pole.

I agree with your theme but I sure wouldn't expect it to go unnoticed.

Whether it's okay or not is for you to find out...not me.  If you are doing everything else right, I would at least consider it to be a problem.

[TinkeringPaws · Accepted solution]

I filed an appeal, and about three hours later got an answer from etsy with the following text:

Etsy is a Global company that must comply with Global standards that need us to review certain accounts by the regulator's instructions. We are working to be faster in those reviews to avoid any issues.

I can certainly understand your frustration and confusion about why your account was temporarily unavailable, and I'm very sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused. If there's anything else I can help you with, please let me know.

My shop is now back online. So for everybody facing the same problem: file an appeal!

[MilistariJewelry]

This is amazing! Congratulations on getting back up and running!

[GalleriesVintageArt]

I submitted my appeal yesterday, but I still haven’t received any response and my shop remains closed.

I see that at least three participants in this thread have already had their shops reopened, which gives me hope that this situation will be resolved soon.

[HITUK]

I filed an appeal yesterday, I haven't received any response