Etsy permanent suspension

rosepleasure · #1 10-07-2023

I am Thai and currently living in Australia with my partner. I don't have a driver license because I am not driving. I created this Etsy account in 2022 but didn't do anything till last month. I have a business here in Australia. I submitted my business info to Etsy with my Thai passport and bank account plus tax assessment from ATO (black out my tax number) to verify my address. Etsy temporarily suspended my account at first which I appealed and the support said bots error, so I got my account back.

I start listing items, they are oil paintings on canvas made by me and digital download files also made by me. I got my first sale then Etsy banned me again. This time, it said permanently suspended with the option to appeal. And I checked the legal and tax info section of my account (Government-issued personal ID), status changed to under review again. So, I submitted an appeal and explained to them that I am living in Australia and they can easily check my business info (business info and tax number show as verified).

I think the problem was because there is a link asking me to verify my bank but the "Verify your bank account to get paid!" button is not working. I tried to click and even made a video attached to the support ticket that I opened to appeal the decision. Then this morning, their support replied to my ticket that my account does not qualify for reinstatement, no reason to explain why, except saying "we're unable to disclose our internal review criteria". And at the end of the message, it said "We’re unable to reconsider this decision and can no longer respond to further messages about your account status."

All I can think of is because I am using my Thai passport and the link to verify my bank is not working. I have bought some items from other sellers, I have paid some fee with my debit card. I felt that the support did not do a good job here.

Anyway, I'm still able to access my account. The "Government-issued personal ID" section still shows "Pending Verification''. I just deleted all my listings from there. I paid the remaining $2 listing fee. I am still able to change my address. I can delete everything I don't want to show in there. And on the account dashboard still showing "We’ve received your appeal - A specialist will carefully review your appeal details and account history, then email you a final decision – usually within two weeks. Keep in mind, Etsy Support agents won’t be able to speed up this process if you reach out to them."

So, I am not sure what's wrong there. However, I plan to create a new account under my partner as he is an Aussie with a driver license, Aussie bank. I have another computer. I know how to get a new IP. The problem is the address as we are living in the same house. But as I can delete/change my address on this suspended account, I also noticed that I can request to delete my account and all info which I am going to do that. Can you guys recommend if I will be safe to use the same address after that?

Any help/advice is greatly appreciated.

jeraya · #2 10-08-2023

That is a common issue, especially after the last update, they ban all new sellers without any explanation, and they do this at the end of the year as well, it gets so hard to open an account. You have two solutions: Buy an old account or wait until the beginning of the year to open an account, it will be easy.

rsot · #3 10-08-2023

i wouldn't use the same address while you sort out this issue and get new accounts going

agent006140 · #4 10-08-2023

just curious,what bank did you link to your Etsy seller account?

rosepleasure · #5 10-08-2023

Quote:

Originally Posted by agent006140

just curious,what bank did you link to your Etsy seller account?

ANZ, it's the one I am using for my business, I am sole trader.

Problem was the button that I need to click to start "Verify your bank account to get paid!" not working.

I got one order, it's not even show on my order history (I checked many time in the Orders & Deliveries section since I noticed that I got order just to see who my customer is).

I requested to delete my account and all my data yesterday (must admit that I was a bit angry - seem to have lots of bugs there) then it's shown I have to wait 180 days because I have one order still under return & refund period with the link to that order but when I clicked, I couldn't see any order, neither on processing or completed tabs. On dashboard showing I have 1 order, on money tabs also show my earning but no order. Luckily it was digital file so, customer already downloaded it (it's a digital planner - customer happy even gave me feedback).

So, I clicked the link to my Orders & Deliveries almost 10 times, logged out and logged in, finally it's showing that order. Anyway, I requested to delete my account, now have to wait 180 days. Not sure if I would still like to continue with them. Reading their own forum, Reddit and TikTok seem to have lots of same or similar horror stories as mine, even established stores. :(

JamesNorth101 · #6 10-09-2023

It maybe the bank issue but its also this time of year

All online selling platforms make a lot of changes in October and November and ban lots of sellers without any reason. Its been happening for years and years

Pedroalva · #7 10-09-2023

I would try to operate in parallel on stealth account separately

rsot · #8 10-09-2023

Quote:

Originally Posted by rosepleasure

I requested to delete my account and all my data yesterday (must admit that I was a bit angry - seem to have lots of bugs there)

the deletions cannot be done :(

agent006140 · #9 10-09-2023

Problem was the button that I need to click to start "Verify your bank account to get paid!" not working.
----------------
do you know why it is not working?

agent006140 · #10 10-09-2023

if they ask for Aussie govt ID and you give them a Thai passport,is that acceptable?
How do you expect them to verify it?
Are you on a tourist visa?
Does ANZ Bank allow foreigners to open bank account?

Pedroalva · #11 10-09-2023

They may accept foreign document that can be held permanently to live in the country of residence registered on etsy

rosepleasure · #12 10-09-2023

Quote:

Originally Posted by rsot

the deletions cannot be done :(

It's showing following in my account:

"We’ve received your request to permanently close and delete your account. Once your request is processed, your account will be scheduled for deletion and will no longer be able to make purchases or sales. If you wish to cancel this, press the Cancel account deletion button.

The following issue must be resolved before your request can be processed:
You have an order within the 180 day refund eligibility period. The deletion process will resume once the refund period has elapsed."

rosepleasure · #13 10-09-2023

Quote:

Originally Posted by agent006140

Problem was the button that I need to click to start "Verify your bank account to get paid!" not working.
----------------
do you know why it is not working?

I don't know. I clicked "Learn more" button next to it and it took me to the more info page but that "Get Start" button just not work. I have tried on Chrome and Microsoft Edge, same problem.

rosepleasure · #14 10-09-2023

Quote:

Originally Posted by agent006140

if they ask for Aussie govt ID and you give them a Thai passport,is that acceptable?
How do you expect them to verify it?
Are you on a tourist visa?
Does ANZ Bank allow foreigners to open bank account?

I am permanent resident, I have business with ABN. I used same info for eBay and Amazon, never had problem. I thought the same regarding Thai passport when I got temporary suspended on August which I appealed (I explained everything, sent them bank statement, tax assessment from ATO showing my name and address) and they said bots error. I got my account back and now permanently suspended, no explanation.

Probably, I should try again next year when I have time to get my driver license. Will see.

agent006140 · #15 10-10-2023

You are permanent resident of AUSTRALIA??
But you use your Thai passport?
Life is so confusing these days,I need a stronger cup of coffee.
Rent a mail box and use your roommate's Aussie ID

rsot · #16 10-10-2023

Quote:

Originally Posted by agent006140

Life is so confusing these days,I need a stronger cup of coffee.
Rent a mail box and use your roommate's Aussie ID

morning chuckles - rent a mail box, yes - use roommate's id, no

agent006140 · #17 10-10-2023

he/she has to do both,rent a mail box and use his/her roommate ID.
So the account will belong to an Aussie with driver ID and not sharing the same address.
(I assume OP is a she)

rosepleasure · #18 10-10-2023

Quote:

Originally Posted by agent006140

he/she has to do both,rent a mail box and use his/her roommate ID.
So the account will belong to an Aussie with driver ID and not sharing the same address.
(I assume OP is a she)

Yes, I am a she.

I am not citizen yet so, I cannot have Aussie passport yet. I am not drive and was so busy with eBay and Amazon the last 4 years so, no driver license. I have used my Thai passport with ABN and bank statement for eBay, PayPal and Amazon, never thought would be a problem with Etsy. Anyway time to get driver license, I guess.

Thank you for the idea of mailbox and roommate ID, I will do that then.

**SaiJin** · #19 10-10-2023

Quote:

Originally Posted by rosepleasure

Yes, I am a she.

I am not citizen yet so, I cannot have Aussie passport yet. I am not drive and was so busy with eBay and Amazon the last 4 years so, no driver license. I have used my Thai passport with ABN and bank statement for eBay, PayPal and Amazon, never thought would be a problem with Etsy. Anyway time to get driver license, I guess.

Thank you for the idea of mailbox and roommate ID, I will do that then.

I'm guessing your revenue from ebay and amazon would outperform Etsy?
These 2 are quite superior in many ways to it

rosepleasure · #20 10-10-2023

Quote:

Originally Posted by SaiJin

I'm guessing your revenue from ebay and amazon would outperform Etsy?
These 2 are quite superior in many ways to it

I never get good sales for my paintings on eBay and Amazon so, I just wanted to try Etsy (I am selling something else on eBay and Amazon, they are great). Then I got idea of selling digital planners and so my new Etsy shop only have oil paintings by me and digital planners also created by me.

rsot · #21 10-11-2023

Quote:

Originally Posted by rosepleasure

Yes, I am a she.

I am not citizen yet so, I cannot have Aussie passport yet. I am not drive and was so busy with eBay and Amazon the last 4 years so, no driver license. I have used my Thai passport with ABN and bank statement for eBay, PayPal and Amazon, never thought would be a problem with Etsy. Anyway time to get driver license, I guess.

Thank you for the idea of mailbox and roommate ID, I will do that then.

situation is clearer now - thanks