Unexplained deactivation, support needed

[#1]

My listing for the Lemurian Starchild Oracle Pocket Size Edition (SKU: 9781916029231) was deactivated, and I’m not sure why. This is a product I co-created with my partner. It’s an original, self-published oracle deck that we’ve been selling on Etsy for a while. We’ve followed all the guidelines, and the listing even has reviews, but now it’s been taken down.

My partner sells the same product in the UK, through a separate Etsy shop. We both contributed to the designs of the Oracle Deck.

I’ve already contacted Etsy Support (Ticket #17350634), and I’ve been told I might need to create a new listing. But doing that would mean losing all the reviews and sales history tied to the original listing, and it would take quite a bit of time to make the new listing and connect it to apps.

• Authors: Michiel Kroon and Leanne Ta’Iki Anawa 
• The deck has 88 original designs—we created the artwork and the deck ourselves.
• We have a production partner that manufactures the physical product, which we’ve disclosed in the listing as per Etsy’s guidelines.

I feel like our listing follows Etsy’s creative standards, but I haven’t gotten a clear explanation for the deactivation, which makes it difficult to know what to fix. I suspect it might be related to the fact that we also sell this product on Amazon and our own website, but it’s definitely not a reselling situation—it’s our own creation.

~ Michiel

[cindylouwho2]

@ChantillyAvenue "people  always telling them they can't have the same items in both shops:/" The forum is full of outdated and just bad advice. 

Even when back when Etsy did have written instructions on duplicate items in shops, one item in 2 shops was generally allowed. I know people that were allowed several items across two shops, as long as the target markets were different overall. 

[MeggiexStore]

@cindylouwho2 I’m so pleased your listing got reinstated! At least that’s some progress. I had a reply last night from support with a link to a pair of earrings on AliExpress with the same charm as mine. It wasn’t my stolen photos or anything. They said because it’s the same pair of earrings - I can’t sell them on Etsy. Etsy’s policies state you can sell ‘commercially available supplies that a seller attached together E.g using jewellery making tools to attach charms to a necklace chain’ - which is exactly what I do. It’s very concerning for any jewellery makers on here. Are we no longer allowed to sell earrings with charms that are readily available on websites such as Etsy? 

[cindylouwho2]

@MeggiexStore technically, yes, you can do what you do. 

In practice, since Etsy is trying to reduce similar-looking items on the first page of search, selling commercial charms on ear hooks is not likely to get good visibility here any more. It may be why Etsy is now not readily accepting appeals for things that look the same. It's one of the reasons I am removing all of my jewellery here, although it's not the main reason. 

Anecdotally, I have seen shoppers call out sellers for using commercial charms and pendants, and in fact have even seen this done in the media. They assume it is against the handmade rules, and that the listing is just a commercial item, instead of a product made from commercial items. Since Etsy seems more interested in public perception than strict policy adherence, that could be another factor. 

[DivineCrossings]

@LightLanguage777 @It may also be due to the fact that you’re selling on multiple other sites like Amazon, Tarotopia, YouTube, and your own website…so Etsy may think you’re reselling. AI may have picked up your same images elsewhere and made an incorrect determination/assumption.

[LightLanguage777]

Thanks for the tip… Yes it would be great to make separate Etsy only images for these listings to prevent AI flags. On the other hand, once the listing is reactivated, updating the images could trigger those AI guard dogs again. So it’s tricky

[GroundZeroCreations]

@DivineCrossings @LightLanguage777 I do not think that is the issue. I sale on Amazon and have some of the same products there that I have here. I do not take different photos for the two platforms. 

The reason I think the bots think OP is reselling is because they have the same names as partner/creator on both shops and are selling the same items. 

I am not sure what the future holds, because one country cannot force another country to honor their IP laws. It seems as if sellers are caught in a vicious cycle of unscrupulous people stealing images that cause Etsy to shut shops down. Etsy needs to STOP! Amazon does not deactivate listings and shut shops down unless someone files a DMCA takedown notice. I personally think that should be what Etsy does too. They flat out know who the real offenders are but want to hurt honest sellers instead of just shutting down the true offenders. 

[FairestCreatures]

I see that you have a lot of replies already, however I don't think that anyone has mentioned yet that "health claims" are also not allowed on Etsy, for example in the box of cards deck that you currently have listed, you state in the description about healing abilities. This type of thing can get flagged by the Etsy bots: "This card deck is for those who feel the calling from within and are drawn to reconnect with the pristine Edenic energy of Lemuria, their Spiritual Guides and their Healing Abilities. "

And your t-shirts also: "The art helps to receive Divine Guidance through the Language of Light. The energy supports welcoming in Angels and Guides"

[LightLanguage777]

Hi @FairestCreatures  I believe there is a distinction between health and inner healing.

To put that in context let me mention the following paragraph that is also in the description: “The definition of the Healing Process that this Oracle assists with is a realization of your Inner Wholeness. (this product is not a cure for any ailment) You are already whole, however there can be inner aspects that do not realize this. The Lemurian Starchild Oracle then assists you in connecting with your Inner Wholeness to heal that separation and fragmentation on an inner level.”

These descriptions are about inner experiences that some people resonate with and others don’t. However if they do resonate then the deck can help them to understand those experiences.

Hopefully the bots and Etsy will continue to allow for an inner healing process, otherwise they would impede freedom of speech and creativity IMO. 

[GroundZeroCreations]

@LightLanguage777 I notice you included a disclaimer for the Healing Process. Etsy does not recognize that. There policy on that is:

"Seller Disclaimers: Medical claims prohibited by Etsy always violate our policies, regardless of any disclaimers added by the Seller."

As @FairestCreatures pointed out, you might want to reconsider using that "healing" statement in your description. Because you are sort of implying that it heals emotional/mental. Emotional and mental health is definitely part of the medical field. Etsy has deactivated a lot of listings in shops for innocent statements like that. Why innocent? Because most people already have a mind set anyway about these products and they have been marketed this way forever. 

Just be careful. As they program AI more and more it will make more and more mistakes before it finally wises up. 

[TinTeddy]

Could it be the rules about not making healing or metaphysical claims?

"designed to connect you with the Lemurian energy and with your own precious Heart. This card deck is for those who feel the calling from within and are drawn to reconnect with the pristine Edenic energy of Lemuria, their Spiritual Guides and their Healing Abilities."

"The gentleness of this Oracle contains great power and can assist in healing deep wounds"

...and many more in the description.

[FabioMcMustache · Accepted solution]

Hello! We're sorry to hear you're experiencing issues with your listings. We've forwarded your concerns to a specialist team, and your case is being worked on as we speak - Moving forward, they will handle it directly with you, so please stay tuned to your email as they may reach out through there. Thank you! 

Please know we handle support inquiries privately per our Community Policy – we’re closing this thread, so you can get the support you need from us directly.