For many small business owners, Etsy has long been seen as a great platform to showcase and sell handmade, vintage, and digital products. I was one of those sellers who relied on Etsy to reach customers and grow my business. However, my recent experience has completely changed my view of the platform, and I can no longer recommend it to anyone. Etsy’s unfair account suspension policies are not just frustrating, they are actively ruining livelihoods.
My Experience with Etsy’s Suspension System
Recently, I decided to change the name of my shop in my account settings. It seemed like a simple adjustment, something that Etsy allows sellers to do within their settings. But as soon as I made the change, my account was suspended without warning.
Naturally, I appealed the decision, expecting a reasonable response. Instead, I received a generic and unhelpful reply stating:
“We cannot consider your account separate from the other account that is no longer eligible to operate on Etsy due to the significance of the information connecting them.”
The problem? I only have one account I sell from, Etsy’s automated system had flagged me as someone trying to circumvent their policies, and they refused to acknowledge their mistake.
I responded to the email, hoping for clarification, however, the response was bleak, Etsy stated they were unable to reconsider their decision. So, just like that, years of hard work were wiped away without justification or recourse.
Unable to Access My Personal Data
After Etsy refused to give me a proper explanation for my suspension, I attempted to download my data to see if I could uncover what they flagged as an issue.
While the shop data is downloadable, some of it doesn’t open or the spreadsheet is empty and my personal data, the information I actually wanted to review, wouldn’t download at all when I clicked the button!
Under GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation), individuals have the right to access their personal data, yet Etsy has failed to provide mine. I have now emailed Etsy support twice requesting this data, and they have completely ignored my requests.
This raises serious concerns, not only about their lack of transparency but also about whether they are unlawfully withholding data from sellers who have been wrongfully suspended. If they can take away my business without warning and refuse to provide the data that may explain why, what does that say about their handling of seller rights and personal information?
Etsy’s Growing Reputation for Unfair Suspensions
Sadly, my story is far from unique. A quick search online reveals countless similar cases where sellers, many of whom have built successful businesses on the platform, have been permanently suspended for vague or non-existent reasons.
Here are just a few examples:
- A new Etsy store owner reported that after opening their account and paying the setup fee, they were suspended without any explanation. Their appeal was swiftly denied, leaving them without recourse. (Reddit)
- A successful seller with nearly 1,000 sales shared their frustration after their account was suspended without clear reasons. Despite multiple appeals, Etsy provided no specific details about the violation, leading to significant distress. (Reddit)
- Another seller expressed their exasperation when Etsy suspended their account, rendering them unable to communicate with customers. Etsy issued refunds without the seller’s consent, further complicating the situation. (Reddit)
For a broader perspective, visiting Trustpilot reveals numerous reviews from sellers detailing similar experiences with Etsy’s suspension policies.
The Impact on Small Business Owners
Etsy’s suspension policies are devastating for sellers. Many rely on Etsy as their primary source of income, and when an account is wrongly suspended, it’s not just an inconvenience, it’s a financial disaster. Sellers lose:
- Access to their customers – years of loyal buyers are suddenly gone.
- Their income – many sellers make their entire living on Etsy.
- Their hard work and reputation – all reviews, product listings, and marketing efforts disappear overnight.
Etsy provides no real support, no transparency, and no fair appeals process. They wield an automated, unaccountable system that can destroy businesses without warning.
Why I Will Never Recommend Etsy Again
After this experience, I cannot in good conscience recommend Etsy to any seller. While it may seem like an easy place to start, the risk of losing everything overnight is simply too high.
I have spent a lot of time on this blog writing about Etsy, but this will be my final post about them. Instead of looking for another platform, I have now launched my own e-commerce store where I have full control, using Freewebstore.
Freewebstore is a UK-based company established in 2008, and I already knew them well from when I first started selling online. They are miles better than Shopify, offering fantastic customer support, a huge range of features, and at half the price! Unlike Etsy, I don’t have to worry about sudden suspensions or unfair policies. I finally have a platform where I can run my business without fear.
If you are thinking of starting an Etsy shop, my advice is simple: don’t. Look for a decent e-commerce platform that values its sellers and won’t destroy your hard work on a whim.
To those who have also experienced Etsy’s unfair suspensions, you are not alone!
