Suspended After Paying Set Up Fee - Need Help!

[INRASSIONstudio]

My friend has encountered problem of shop banning even though he paid the $15 setup fee!

"I recently opened a new shop and paid the setup fee, making sure to follow all of Etsy's policies and guidelines. However, not long after setting up, my account was suddenly suspended without any explanation. I immediately filed an appeal, but received an automatic response saying my appeal was denied and that I can no longer sell on Etsy. This response didn't provide any specific reasons or details, and I've been unable to get any further assistance despite multiple attempts to contact Etsy support.

As a new seller, I invested both time and money into starting my Etsy shop. The set up fee should have been used to enhance security checks and support for new shops, but it feels like they took my fee and then suspended my account without justification. This experience has been incredibly disheartening and feels quite unfair.

Has anyone else experienced something similar? How did you resolve it? I would appreciate any advice or help on how to get my shop reinstated or at least get a clear explanation for the suspension and have my setup fee refund. Thanks!"

[BootifulLabels]

What was your friend trying to sell?  It is possible he was trying to list items that don't meet Etsy's listing requirements.  

As for the setup fee, this is a reasonably new thing, aimed at encouraging new sellers to read all the rules and make sure that what they are planning on selling fits the rules.  I believe it is a non refundable fee.  

[INRASSIONstudio]

Thanks for your reply. I understand the setup fee policy but he's banned hours later after he opened his shop with a product, just like many other sellers including me. For me, I got follow ups after appeal yet he didn't, that's why he's concerned about it.

For the items, he's trying to sell digital wall arts and there are other digital wall art sellers as well. His product look fine to me without violating the rules.

[VintageRescueSquad]

What country is your friend in? Had they set up the financial information properly, and did all their identification match? What were they trying to sell? Had they ever had a previous shop on etsy that got shut down? Do they share an IP address with another etsy shop (current or closed)?

[INRASSIONstudio]

Thanks for your reply. For the information, it should be correct and he's trying to sell digital wall arts. It's his first time opening up an Etsy shop.

For IP address, he's actually living with me and looks like we're sharing the same IP address. Would it be the problem? Do you know how to solve it? Thanks!

[AutumnHollowStudio]

Does your friend have any other etsy shops that were closed permanently BY etsy?

[INRASSIONstudio]

It's his first time setting up an Etsy shop

[GieseDeseiGns]

Be careful, if he was sharing your ip address and got closed, you could be next.

[INRASSIONstudio]

No way Σ(*ﾟдﾟﾉ)ﾉ

Hope that I can find solutions here

[NanaLetha]

@INRASSIONstudio  Since you share an IP address, Etsy thinks you opened another shop. Have your housemate contact Etsy support.

[INRASSIONstudio]

Oh really?

Yes, he has and the support said his case would be escalated but it's been over a month now.

I didn't find a rule stating that a second shop or same IP is not allowed. I think Etsy should have made it clear at the beginning, instead of shutting down people's new shops, especially after collecting the setup fee.

[ArtDollsbyJD]

@INRASSIONstudio   It's not so much that people cannot share in the same household.  Many do with no problem but when one person has a problem with Etsy over what they are selling or any other issue, Etsy can and has removed other sellers on the same ISP.

A seller who inadvertently ends up being suspended needs to contact Etsy with information that they are totally separate from the other person.

For one thing never share computers.  Each computer has a MAC address for that computer.  Etsy can get down to that level.  Since there is no way of knowing who the owner actually is Etsy suspends both.

[NanaLetha]

@INRASSIONstudio  there is no rule against sharing an IP address. Your friend should file an appeal.

[ArtDollsbyJD]

No rule but sharing a computer and logging in to separate shops can be an issue.  Each computer has a MAC address that is unique.  Etsy can see the MAC address.  Since they cannot distinguish the owner of shops they then suspend all so the seller not in arrears has to go through the irritating trouble of proving they are not related to the other shop..

[INRASSIONstudio]

Thanks for the information. 

We’re not sharing the same computer actually but under the same Wifi. 

He did file an appeal and try to explain that several times but the support team always promised they’ll escalate it and leave the chat afterwards. It's been over a month since the first Etsy support.

[ArtDollsbyJD]

What kind of digital prints?  Are these ones he has designed or are they the mass produced ones that may or may not be in the public domain.  If Etsy finds such items all over they tend to suspend and then the seller has to appeal.

If your friend is making the designs, I suggest he give that information to Etsy and be persistent in applying for release from suspension.  If these are designs from elsewhere that is going to be very difficult.  He would have to have information that these are in the public domain.

As per the set up fee, did it say that this was non-refundable at time of entry or not?  If it did not say non-refundable then he could get his money back.

He may want to try elsewhere.

[GieseDeseiGns]

I believe you said you were selling much the same thing,  Etsy might think you are trying to sell the same thing in two separate shops,  which isn’t allowed, because of IP address, hope you get it straightened out, has he requested a call back?

[INRASSIONstudio]

He sells the art prints he designed so it should be fine. He did give every detail but the support from live chat can't help these suspension issues. He tried emailing and live chat several times, quite persistently, but still got no further replies.

For set up fee, I just searched and it says non-refundable

｡ﾟヽ(ﾟ´Д`)ﾉﾟ｡

And he wants to try elsewhere after all these XD

[INRASSIONstudio]

We’re not selling the same products actually: I sell Canva templates instead and he sell art designs digitally. Feels like it should be fine, but the problem of Etsy banning all new sellers has always been discussed. I was lucky to get mine back when I set up my shop a year ago.

For the call back, the support told him that it would still be possibly directed back to email only since they usually couldn't handle such issues regarding suspension.

[audreytherese]

Was your friend logging in using a VPN by any chance? 

[INRASSIONstudio]

Thanks but he didn't use VPN

[PaintingIdeas]

You said you shared the same product so the photo was the same maybe that's the reason. They don't want duplicate photos. Your friend needs to list different photos not the same as yours. Your lucky you didn't get suspended. 

[INRASSIONstudio]

We're not selling the same products but thanks

[CostumeCoutureNaomi]

Are the art prints he designed fan art?

Such as his interpretation of anime, star wars, marvel, mario, fortnight, call of duty, etc?

[INRASSIONstudio]

He makes arts of landscapes and animals, but still thanks!