Stalhelm85Shop Closed and dont know why

[Stalhelm85]

Hey to all! Have a big problem with my other store (Stalhelm85Shop).

After several items got taken down from my store and having it taken down by Etsy I cannot for the life of me understand why.

I listed and sold for nearly half an year, used military products, some shirts and military gear wich I made myself never had an issue before. Other stores selling similar/ same things are operating as normal.

After the first offers got taken down I messaged Etsy a ticket and got a response that I'm selling forbidden items listed here:

Impersonation, through items such as official credentials or documents, whether real or replica

Evasion of the detection of illegal activity Deceiving others about one’s medical status Items that infringe on the personal privacy of others

Service animal credentials or vests, as we aren't able to verify that service animal products will be used responsibly and appropriately

I never listed anything from the list above and the things that got taken down where surplus camo hats that other sellers also sell on this platform. Things taken down where random from my perspective as the other listings being pretty similar werent taken down.

I appealed to no avail. Seems I'm getting an AI-generated responce. All my other creteria were met even got a Star Seller last week. Is there any way to talk to a real human from Etsy?

I cannot even use "forums" on my LTD account. Any ideas?

[NanaLetha]

Your shop is not closed but on vacation mode 

[Stalhelm85]

This one: Stalhelm85 Yes, I'm talking about this one: Stalhelm85Shop - Etsy Polska

"I cannot even use "forums" on my LTD account. Any ideas?"

[michellepatterns]

It looks like the items you were selling were new (meaning not vintage) and since they are surplus for existing military forces (I think?) they could be used to impersonate military personnel. So impersonation is the issue.

Here is the sentence that says they aren't allowed: "Items may not aid in impersonation. We prohibit realistic items that identify the wearer as an active law enforcement, military, or government official."

[TheVintagePineapple]

Also, if the OP was making exact replicas of actual military clothing and equipment and claiming 'made by' or 'designed by', then that's another problem in addition to impersonation. 

[PWOriginals]

Earlier today, I spent time reporting "FBI" listings as violating the policy of impersonating law enforcement. I've done this before, and it's so easy for those bots to find these and take them down.

[LastCentury]

https://help.etsy.com/hc/en-us/articles/360017604474-How-to-Open-a-Second-Shop-on-Etsy?segment=selli...

"If you choose to run multiple shops on Etsy, you must list all the shops you run in the Public Profile section of each account. Each account must also comply with Etsy’s Seller Policy. "

Were you selling the same thing in that shop as in this shop on Vacation?
Just looking at your reviews for items that may not work according to etsy's terms
- USMC - that item does not say vintage, so was it handmade, or are you reselling stock?
- brand new Polish beret... handmade? reselling?

we can't read the descriptions so info is unclear.

If your other shop was selling similar items, you may want to read what can be sold here

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

as for impersonation, read this in the prohibited guide:
https://www.etsy.com/legal/prohibited/

[ArtDollsbyJD]

Etsy most likely considered them counterfeit items.  Since they are not the real thing but can be used to impersonate, Etsy does not allow such.

Your shop is on vacation so Etsy may be looking at your shop further.  This would be a good time to review and to make changes so that you can tell Etsy you understand and want to remain.

[BagmakerSupply · Accepted solution]

@Stalhelm85: Yes, Etsy could be clearer about the reasons why they suspend / close shops, but they expect shops to just follow the rules. And, based on other posts, the stated reason is not always correct.

"Other stores selling similar/ same things are operating as normal." Without getting into a discussion of what is fair or right or if a listing should have been flagged, the fact that there are other shops selling similar items only means that they have not been caught yet, or those listings may not contain the same trigger that snared you. Additionally, we will not know how many other listings were deactivated and shop closed using the same trigger - only those that appear to not have been.

You did yourself no favors by breaking basic Etsy rules like listing all of your shops in each shop.

Looking at some of the items in your Stalhelm85 shop, one can understand why some Etsy bot might think you are reselling or intentionally putting in false core details. For example the 'Like new' Original Polish Border Guard Service Cap with Badge which you list as 'Designed by Stalhelm85' but provide no information in the listing about who made it exclusively for you.

False positives aside, Etsy let a lot of violations slide for a very long time, and now it is clear that Etsy has stepped up enforcement of the rules.

[Stalhelm85]

Ok Thanks! This one made sence since when looked after other shops saying their items are made in the 80s or pre 2006 etc though they are not.

This might be helpful for me in the future, thank You!

[bradgoodell]

"I listed and sold for nearly half an year, used military products, some shirts and military gear wich I made myself never had an issue before. Other stores selling similar/ same things are operating as normal."

Etsy is not a curated marketplace, meaning Etsy doesn't look at and approve each listing as it goes up.  So listings that violate policy go up daily.  Those listings stay up until Etsy catches them and the listings are removed.  Too many removals, Etsy closes the shop and bans the seller from Etsy.  

What you cannot see when looking at Etsy is all the listings removed last year, last month, and yesterday.  Or the listings that will be removed tomorrow, next week, or next month.  Often Etsy does sweeps and thousands of listings are removed within a matter of days, but some will squeak through.  Some get caught immediately, some get caught much later.

Hope that explanation helps.