Your badges were removed because you received a final policy violation warning.

[ClassicWoodenModels]

Hi,

I have been selling on Etsy since 2016 and have been doing great, as evidenced by the substantial number of positive reviews. Two weeks ago, one of my listings was deactivated, and I promptly reached out to Seller Support as I believe the listing was removed in error. It has been more than a week and still no response from Etsy.

Today, when I logged in, I noticed that my Star Seller Badge had been revoked, citing a final policy violation warning. To my surprise, I have not received any prior emails from Etsy, and I remain unaware of any violations on my part. 

I'm feeling increasingly frustrated with the current situation because I'm unsure about what might be going wrong from our end. Seller Support has consistently advised that there's nothing more they could do, as they've opened a case for us. Is there absolutely no way to escalate this matter?

[dayspringcollectible]

Etsy constantly lies about sending notices when they have sent nothing, so don't get too upset about getting that message.  And when they do send emails, they never tell you specifics about what the supposed violation is.  They are the worst company I've ever seen when it comes to their communication.   As far as escalating it, no.  If they have opened a case, that is about all you can do.  Respond to whatever they have sent and continue asking for specifics until they stop sending you the form responses and start giving you real info.  Don't send new emails, or that will put you in the back of the line.

[ClassicWoodenModels]

Thank you for the information. I was unaware that sending new emails would place us at the back of the line. This is quite frustrating.

[ChristmasMemory]

Good luck to you. Selling on Etsy is a real live endurance test.  

[mommawhazelsquilts]

Have you considered that it could be the names you are using on your creations (very nice btw) such as Titanic (the most recognized name of any movie), Ronald Reagan, the two queens?

Just a thought.

[FallenAngelBrass]

Also looks like you are using quite a few boat brands in your titles.  Those brand names are definitely trademarked.  Your assembled models are likely considered counterfeit goods because the models are meant to be made, but not to be sold.  

[MichelleArtStudioCo]

Beautiful shop! I feel badly for you because I have no idea how else you would describe these! 

[bitsyshandmade]

You have a beautiful shop but you are using names that might have a trademark such as "Jeep," etc.  I don't know how else you could describe them but you might try.  Take all those names out of your descriptions, tags, titles, etc.  I would keep on responding to the original email pressing Etsy for an answer.  That is the least they could do is to provide you with an answer.  Keep on answering the original email with "I still need help."   

[ClassicWoodenModels]

Thank you but someone advised me I need to wait for Etsy's response. If I send a new email,  it would place us at the back of the line or even the ticket will be closed.

[bitsyshandmade]

@ClassicWoodenModels - My response stated to keep on answering the original email by telling them you still need help.  You only do this after getting a response from Etsy and your issue is not resolved.  

[ClassicWoodenModels]

Thank you everyone. I managed to speak with Seller Support, which provided me with more detailed information. All previous interactions with Seller Support had been rather general. One of our listings was deactivated by Etsy, as they determined that the product was not handmade (even though all our products are 100% handmade). However, the support agent couldn't explain why we received a final warning when only one listing was deactivated. He mentioned that it might be due to that one listing having multiple violations (though he wasn't entirely sure, but the primary reason was that it was deemed not handmade). We now have to wait for a response from Etsy's specialist so that we can provide the necessary evidence and there is no specific timeframe for when I can expect to receive feedback from them. It's unfortunate that this is happening in November. 

I have been with Etsy since 2016, and we have worked diligently to provide the best products and services to Etsy customers. When I reflect on my journey, I feel disheartened by the way we are being treated.

[OneEyeCatStudio]

Not to add to your disheartenment (if that's a word) but are you aware that Etsy provides NO Seller Protection for items over $250?

They DO however provide Buyer Protection.
So all a buyer has to do is say that they have not received the item and Etsy refunds their money. You stand to lose the item AND your money. Even if tracking shows delivery.

There is brief temporary respite where Seller Protection is provided up to $500 this month and next.  No doubt because so many sellers pulled their more expensive listings.

[mommawhazelsquilts]

It has been suggested by more than one of us that you are using names that you probably are not allowed to use.  Sometimes the reason Etsy gives is not always the "real" reason.  I agree that you should be told the real reason but if you are using trademarked names and names that you shouldn't be using, then you need to make some changes.  Etsy doesn't always specify that reason for some unknown reason.

Losing the SSB might be the least of your problems.  I don't think having it has any effect on sales anyway.

[CelebratewHenna]

Looks like we both are in same boat dear. 

[ClassicWoodenModels]

Thank you @bitsyshandmade. I have not received anything from them. They just told me to wait for their email. What can I do now? I would like to send them photos of the production process to demonstrate that our products are 100% handmade.

[CuriousityShop]

Find the original email you got from etsy find the link at the bottom that says "I still need help" and go from there. You have to keep replying to the same email, until you get a real person.

[ClassicWoodenModels]

Thank you but I only received one email regarding Etsy removing one listing, and there is no "I still need help" link at the bottom. I did not receive any email about a final violation warning. Feeling very frustrated

[HolyGuacamollyCo]

Use this link choose I still need help open a support ticket with them, you can upload photos and videos when you submit the ticket. Then we have to wait I called support and tried chat for the past 13 days but they said they don’t have any estimated timeline. https://help.etsy.com/hc/en-us/requests/new?segment=selling#issue_missing_listing-solution_primary

they also told me a specialist would reach out via email but I never received anything  

[GILDASCLOSET]

I have had several things deactivated and when I contacted Etsy support they said read the email sent describing why. I have never never received any emails about dectivated listings and looked through all my folders and searched. When I tried to tell them this as I need to know what they are having a problem with, they just said ticket closed and they will not respond to any more emails about this? What the----

[TheHomespunLoft]

@ClassicWoodenModels 

Sorry you are going thru this.. to me the bigger issue is the buyer protection plan and the major money you have on the table each time you sell something. Anything of yours that sells is only guaranteed for up to $500 for the Christmas season.. buyers are being told on social media that all you have to do is to say you never got the item and Etsy refunds you in FULL-- from the buyers acct once it is over $500. (including shipping and likely taxes). It doesn't matter if the seller really got the item or not-- or if you an prove they got it.. All they have to do is to contact Etsy and SAY they never got it and you are out of luck- they have the item and the money. I would consider looking at other places to sell things over the Etsy threshold.

Your boats are beautiful.. and I agree- all the copyrights and trademarks I see are likely a huge problem.

[ClassicWoodenModels]

Thank you very much. I will look into the names of the items again.

I have been selling on Etsy for a while, and most of our products cost more than $500. Fortunately, we have not had any issues with buyers so far. I hope buyers understand the hard work that goes into handcrafted items and will not try to scam us. But thank you so much for your recommendation; this is something I should definitely look into.