We're supposed to have something like 10 days between the request for information and the need to shut down the shop, though. (And that would be for those who didn't respond to the request.) It seems to me that they are not sending out the original request early enough. So by the time shops know they need to reverify, those days have already passed. Maybe?
I had to reverify in August, and my shop was not shut during that period. So it's not part of the process for everyone. @PristinityJewelry they're not doing this to all shops, although there have been lots of complaints about it here.
"...If it says shops must be re-verified periodically and cannot be permitted to sell until the verification process has been completed, this might explain the forced vacation..
I've read through the FTC's synopsis, and didn't see any mention of such.
Okay, so the 10 days I mentioned is the timeframe for Etsy to verify our information after they've determined a shop to be high-volume. It's not the time frame for us to reply.
So if they determine us to be high-volume, but then wait a week to ask us for verification, we only have a few days before they "need" to shut down the shop?
"Once a person or business meets the definition of a “high-volume third party seller,” the online marketplace has 10 days to collect the following information from them" (From the FTC synopsis above)
All my info still says "verified" on my personal ID and bank account in my shop settings but now I'm shut down. The message in my dashboard says "You don't need to do anything at this time." So if this is based on some need for Etsy to re-verify some info by a certain date then they completely screwed up implementing it. I've gotten no messages from them and apparently when your shop is put in vacation mode, you also lose the chat button from your dashboard. Very convenient.
The FTC rules require the marketplace (etsy) to collect annual certification from the high-volume sellers. The seller has to provide changes or verify there are no changes within 10 days. If they do not comply, etsy can suspend future sales activity until information is provided by the seller. Etsy also has 10 days to verify information collected. I find nothing stating the business to be shut down while verifying. I assume this is etsy's decision, likely to encourage compliance. Hopefully, it's very short-term like some others have mentioned.
Yep, but Etsy screwed up and it is putting people in vacation mode before the 10 days are up. I got the email on the 28th, I got put in vacation mode on the 30th. This has been handled incredibly poorly and there is no excuse for it.
I think people are misunderstanding and think that the shops in vacation mode failed to verify their information in a timely manner. The was no request to verify from Etsy, and their still hasn't been. Our information on our shops all shows as "verified." Even the message on our shops from Etsy states "There is nothing you need to do."
I can understand why our shops are temporarily shut down during a verification process due to how the law is reading. But how Etsy's handling verifications is unprofessional and once again making sellers feel devalued and expendable. It's so disappointing reading that sellers don't feel they can trust Etsy. Unfortunately Etsy has earned this.
Howdy, I see that you have contacted our support team with regard to this issue, so please hold on while your case is reviewed. Moving forward, our team will handle this matter directly with you, so stay tuned to your email for any future updates. Thank you.
