Star Etsy Seller, and Etsy Shut Down My Shop

You're trucking along and business is doing great, and then Etsy jerks the rug out from under you by an algorithm snag. Here's the story of how my Etsy shop was shut down after three years of being on Etsy and shipping furniture to more than 35 states.

[jwiki]

I think Etsy needs to be sued in a class action lawsuit by sellers who have been burned by them. It’s awful! I will no longer purchase from anyone on Etsy because I don’t want to support Etsy as a whole. There are so many horror stories I have heard from sellers. I am so sorry this happened to you. I will pray for you to be as successful on your own website. 🙏🏼

[tiktok]

This would be a golden opportunity for a small law firm to specialize in representing sellers with online stores for a percentage of damages collected.

[DigitalDarling]

This EXACT thing that happened to my store and I wasn’t paid for my last week of transactions. They said the same to me - my shop was erased overnight for supposed fraudulent activity. I had over 75 items and had invested $11, 000 in my store. They need a class action badly- evil company.

[notsurewhatisgoingon]

You're so delightful, I love the multi-tasking format.

Hearing these stories gets my blood pressure up. I work in tech designing software and I get it that the software can make mistakes. But the fact that these companies rely so heavily on a flawed, heavy-handed system while not having the resources to take care of their customers just infuriates me. Knowing full well that their customers, often-times, rely on their service for their livlihood. Not to mention the stress of a customer thinking they've been swindled and not realizing the fault falls squarely on Etsy's shoulders.

[ts]

I was thinking of opening an Etsy shop for my handmade items but will now look at other options. Thank you for uploading this video.

[qtpie]

I am sorry to hear this. Etsy needs to shamed of themselves. They are ruining your reputation. They need to be held accountable. Seek counsel. They need to answer quicker than 3 months.

[diakennerly]

This happened to me as well. I'm sorry you had to experience this. I would definitely get your site up and running and place that site on your etsy to drive traffic for your customers because Etsy is great until it's not. I had 5 sales pending. It was horrible. I was about 10 months in doing well and then 💥... no shop, no customers, only able to communicate by email. I was done. Keep Rising... I believe you will bounce back once you have your secure website up and running.

[chasingdragons]

This is what happens when a company like Esty has no competition, it really is disgusting how they not only treated you but the customer who purchased from you and was never made whole. I just checked your Instagram and you are very talented, I love your work.

[trishwasham]

I’m sorry this happened to you. You’ve been so encouraging and knowledgeable for me. Your videos gave me the courage to open my Etsy Shop.

[casemaynard]

This is unbelievable. Not sure what’s going on with Etsy, but I’m ready to bail asap. My shop didn’t get shut down, but out of nowhere and with no explanation (after 2 years and a five star rating with no bad reviews), they imposed a reserve on any sales I make. They now allow me to reap 25% of my sales and they hold the rest for 45 days, unless I can provide a tracking number…which I can’t with transporting furniture. The money they are releasing to me up front is not even enough to cover the cost of my supplies, purchase a base piece to work with, and book my shippers (which you know have to be booked way in advance). Same thing with trying to get in touch with them..crickets! It’s crazy!

[kristyflynn]

You are very understanding, I’m not sure how I would feel if that happened, probably devastated. I started my shop in 2019 and never made those numbers so you were doing something right on Etsy. I have heard several stories similar to yours and Etsy just shutting down a shop without any notice. Scary to think of. This creative community is just so supportive and uplifting. Sending you positive vibes and prayers your way ❤

[JanetCornelius-fm]

I can't tell you how glad I was to find your video. The same, very same, thing happened to me. I read that Etsy memo, changed a lot of titles, and within 2 weeks I was shut down because, they said, someone was trying to hack me. I had my shop for 10 years! Talk about being blown away! I never made much money, but I loved that shop. Like you, I got lots of emails back but always from AI, never a human. If you hear anything, please let us all know. And congratulations for being such a great seller. Your furniture is the prettiest I have ever seen. Many thanks. I'm off to open another shop on Etsy.

[ionltd]

You are incredible! Your positive attitude and willingness to give your knowledge and time make you special.

[gretchenburton]

Thank you so much!!! I never did get an online shop going due to eyestrain and severe interference from a neighbor which is a long story; but similar results in preventing me to move forward.
Thank you and will keep watching your videos.❤❤❤

[dianesouthworth]

Multitasking is great.I appreciate not wasting time. You did well. Thank you for sharing. My mind is finally made up, I'll not waste time building a business to have this happen.

[ouidabrady]

Square space is the better one to use!!! They help you! You had better keep all your emails lists and any other important stuff because once they figure out that it is you they will shut it down too. Keep a separate list of all info at home!!! I am so sorry this happened to you but Etsy seems to be shutting down the shops that are doing well

[kathythompson]

I started watching you today with this video. I have an Etsy shop and have just started it. I think I have about 30 listings in it so far and am adding more every day. I am a reseller of vintage and antique home hard goods. I had an Etsy store previously and thought that their policy of charging just for listing on their site was awful, but I made a few sales not really enough to matter, and my inventory was little girls handmade clothing. Then I found another website that did not charge up front just to list (no it wasn't Ebay) and closed my Etsy store and moved to the other website. The sales were better there, but then after I had been there about 5 years they just shut me down and all I could ever get out of them was that "I had violated their terms of agreement." I finally got a phone number for them and called and got the same run around. Luckily, I had already moved all my sales money out of there to my bank account or they would have kept it as they stated that in their little canned statement. So long story to say this - they all have the potential to throw a monkey wrench in your works! I think you are doing the absolute correct thing in making your own website. Best of luck to you and I will be rooting for you!!

[monicamichelle]

Thank you for telling others your experience. Im sure there are hundreds if not thousands of people that have contemplated telling their experience with Etsy, but don't because they don't know how to go about it. I think its so important that companies that pull this crap are outed! Thanks Again!👍

[twinnish]

It is so strange to me that they can get away with not responding to their sellers for so long. How can they even have that work? It’s not just your business they’re ruining, but they’re not taking care of their own business. And now I hear that they’re laying off a bunch of people when apparently they didn’t have enough people already to take care of their business. What are they doing over there? It’s not like they’re making anything.

[tinadolan]

So happy to hear that you've found an alternative platform to get your sales back up. You got me started on Etsy so I'm super appreciative of your knowledge and love hearing your stories. Your salad looks fabulous. Enjoy!