With a sad heart, we will not be on Etsy anymore. Thank you to all of the customers that have come to us through there. We truly appreciate your business and you can still contact us through the contact page on our store (EvilDuckStudios.com). After 12+ years we were kicked to the curb. It didn't matter that we had outstanding reviews and were doing better than 92% of the other shops on Etsy. It didn't matter that there was only one infraction that should have stuck, which was for selling leather rifle slings in which, just like this latest event, selling leather buttstock covers for hunting rifles, They changed the rules and didn't notify anyone. Luckily we learned long ago to not put all of our eggs in one basket. We have our own online store (www.EvilDuckStudios.com) and we're still on Amazon (very limited because their rules and prices suck too), eBay and Public Square. Our store is where you will find the best prices and most customization options... All of the other platforms have limitations.
We hope to see you over at our store (EvilDuckStudios.com)! Oh and, FUCK YOU ETSY, and you other woke-tard platforms that don't know your ass from a hole in the ground! You have people making rules for stuff they know nothing about.
The fact that you changed your rules from:
no restrictions (other than being a weapon), to
"anything that modifies the function of a firearm", to
"ANYTHING THAT ATTACHES TO AN ASSAULT WEAPON",
to "ANYTHING THAT ATTACHES TO A FIREARM", shows you're brain dead.
So if I sell a charm that could attach to a firearm, you could be shut down. It's easy to see what you did with the rule changes. You're idiots. A perfect way to hurt the sellers/businesses you say you look out for.
Josh & Amber
Evil Duck Studios
OUR CASE:
Sep 12, 2024 - notified that our store/account on Etsy was permanently suspended and we were banned from buying and selling on Etsy because we make and sell leather buttstock covers for hunting rifles. But we could complete the orders we had already received and they may hold our money for 180 days.
Filed Appeal:
Evil Duck
Sep 12, 2024, 1:06?PM EDT
Why are you appealing your account suspension?:
I had unexpected issues due to extenuating circumstances
Other reason:
Are there any actions you've taken to address your suspension?: I've been selling here on Etsy for over 12 years and have a impeccable reputation...
I have 2 tickets open addressing the listings that were pulled down because they DID NOT violate the banned items or weapons policy. But I can't get anyone to do anything other than send me canned responses telling me where more information is. No reasoning and no one actually looking at the listings to see that they are in full compliance.
I get a coupe items pulled down every couple of months and they always get reinstated because it's false. Well, when someone can actually take the time to go look at the darn listings. With the exception of when there was a rule change that I wasn't told about and I still had rifle slings for sale... That rule change was because they could be attached to assault weapons...
If competitors are still making bogus reports you guys need to do something about it! It's ridiculous. I've had competitors message me and then the same day I end up with listings like knife sheaths being pulled down because it was reported they were switch blades. Come on! Then I have to deal with stuff being pulled down, loosing sales during the week or 2 weeks it takes to get someone to actually look into it... for the items to be put back up because they are in compliance with the rules.
the latest listings (listed below) that are causing all of this that no one will look at and instead, without any answers or explanation I get "We can’t respond to further emails about this, but if you have a different question, we’re happy to assist! Please create a new support request instead of replying here so we don’t miss your question. Best, Heather"
Again, directly from your documentation and email with the "violation" :
These are NOT:
• Guns and gun parts
• Accessories for assault-style weapons
• Imitation items that closely resemble real/live weapons or munitions
• Ammunition, including inert shells, casings, and projectiles (regardless of how they are presented)
LISTINGS:
1. 1284215308
2. 1298245825
3. 1328582725
4. 1598555136
5. 1612712383
6. 1698673441
7. 1636519212
8. 1598561870
How are we as sellers suppose to keep up with the constant rule changes if you don't notify us. This is ridiculous. Here's an idea, set a notification to show us on our seller dashboard if there are listings that have been fine to sale on Etsy for 10 freaking years... that now because of a rule change (that we aren't going to tell you about) you might want to take a look at these 3 listings that you might not be able to sale anymore here on Etsy. There's nothing more for me to do with my account. Everything I sell is in compliance. This is a huge waste of time for us and you. Please get someone to look into this, reinstate our shop, our listings and pull down whatever negative strikes have been placed on our shop. Our record and reputation should speak for its self.
How will your business practices change if you regain account access?: There's nothing more for me to do with my account. Everything I sell is in compliance. This is a huge waste of time for us and you. Please get someone to look into this, reinstate our shop, our listings and pull down whatever negative strikes have been placed on our shop. Our record and reputation should speak for its self.
Describe any extenuating circumstances that may have contributed to your suspension: Support not looking at our wrongfully pulled down listings is a common problem. This is all due to the lack of Etsy support doing it's job and not escalating issues when asked and just sending the same canned responses that don't help anyone when there's a problem. If someone contacts you after the first canned response (that I've seen more times than I count) then it should be taken seriously and someone should take the time to look into the issue. NOT keep sending the same response and then saying they won't talk anymore about it when they haven't provided any answers to anything!!!! You are wasting everyone's time, including yours, and messing with people's ability to put food on the table. Give us a number to call or a way to get things done without this huge delay with support staff and the unwillingness to deal with matters.
--
This message is a private conversation between you and Etsy.
*** NAME REMOVED BY US *** (Etsy)
Sep 12, 2024, 2:31?PM EDT
Hello,
This is Elena from Etsy’s Trust & Safety team. We appreciate you taking the time to file an appeal with Etsy.
After careful consideration, we've determined your account does not qualify for reinstatement. We've performed a comprehensive review of your account and the information you provided, and are unable to reconsider this decision.
The items you’ve listed in your Shop do not qualify to be sold in Etsy’s marketplace per Etsy’s Prohibited Items Policy.
On September 9, 2024, we notified you that continuing to list prohibited items in your Shop may result in the permanent suspension of your account. Although we wish every seller success with running their businesses on Etsy’s platform, we must take this type of repeated violation of Etsy’s policies into consideration due to the risk involved to the marketplace.
As a reminder, Etsy prohibits the sale of weapons, including all gun parts and accessories that attach to both real firearms and realistic imitations of firearms (e.g., airsoft guns).
These items are prohibited regardless of their presentation, and whether or not they are permanently attached to or alter the functionality of a firearm. This includes gun slings and grips for handguns.
This policy is informed by U.S. Federal law, international laws, and also safety regulations. You can read more about our policy on weapons in Our House Rules.
Each seller is responsible for ensuring their items meet the criteria for the marketplace before listing them. This responsibility was explained in our Terms of Use, which you agreed to when you created your Etsy account.
Although we’re unable to discuss your account status further, if you have questions related to fulfilling orders, your Payment account, or your business history, please let us know.
We appreciate the time you’ve invested on Etsy and wish you success in your future endeavors.
*** NAME REMOVED BY US ***
Trust & Safety / Content Compliance Enforcement Specialist
Evil Duck
Sep 12, 2024, 4:04?PM EDT
How could we not be re-instated? You already removed any possible items that could violate the restricted items policy? And we've never, ever sold weapons of any kind. Not even pocket knives. We strictly sell handmade leather products that we, ourselves make.
Etsy contacted me on Sept 9th about items that were pulled down, and I was (and am still) waiting on support to get back to me. If you look you'll see that I have 2 tickets about it all... the second one I opened because no one was looking at the first one! I've had these items pulled down, and then reviewed several times over the last 2 years and they were always reinstated because they didn't violate the policies at the time... Now if the rules have changed, you didn't notify us, and are taking action against us with no opportunity to figure out what is going on. You shut down our shop without even talking to us to find out what's going on or actually explain anything. Just kept sending canned responses with no questions answered or specific information to what's going on.
Your last message finally had some information... and this is how far it had to go, that's a problem...
In the email that informed us of the violation it says you can't sell:
"Guns and gun parts • Accessories for assault-style weapons • Imitation items that closely resemble real/live weapons or munitions • Ammunition, including inert shells, casings, and projectiles (regardless of how they are presented)"
Then in this message someone finally states:
"As a reminder, Etsy prohibits the sale of weapons, including all gun parts and accessories that attach to both real firearms and realistic imitations of firearms (e.g., airsoft guns).
These items are prohibited regardless of their presentation, and whether or not they are permanently attached to or alter the functionality of a firearm. This includes gun slings and grips for handguns."
Why isn't the information straight across the board? I would think the email that was sent to me is the latest and greatest info... The listings that were pulled that all of this is about, do not attach to assault rifles, don't alter functionality, aren't weapons, aren't gun parts, etc... They are leather bullet holders... If anything they are storage items for hunters.
Like I said, I've had these reviewed several times and reinstated... So who's wrong? If you changed your rules again than so be it. We will comply like we have for the last 12+ years. Just like we did once everything was cleared up about the rifle slings. We're not here to rock the boat and try to pull one over and make a quick buck. We've put over a decade of work into this shop and turned it into a full fledge business and after getting laid off back in December we put even more into it and now you pull the rug out from under us over petty miscommunication and lack of support. This could have been solved in the latest 2 tickets in the last 20 or so days when this first started. But nothing happened so based on my experience I relisted the items because I knew they'd be turned back on.
What is left are leather knife sheaths, belt slides, bracelets, etc... There's nothing for me to do because you guys already did it before suspending us! And without any actual responses to my support tickets. Please escalate this to someone higher up. This is ridiculous! Over 12 years selling on here with happy customers and an outstanding reputation and we're treated like trash.
Joshua & Amber Best
Evil Duck Studios
A true small mom and pop shop (for real, it's me and my wife :)
*** NAME REMOVED BY US *** (Etsy)
Sep 18, 2024, 2:40?PM EDT
Hello,
We do appreciate that you’d like to continue being a part of the Etsy community. However, as we explained on September 12th, we’ve determined your account does not qualify for reinstatement.
This final decision was based on a detailed review of your account, any additional information you provided, and your compliance with Etsy’s policies. We’re unable to reconsider this decision and can no longer respond to further messages about your account status.
We wish you the best in your future endeavors.
***NAME REMOVED BY US***
Trust & Safety / Content Compliance Enforcement Specialist
Sep 18, 2024, 12:33?AM EDT
If you truly looked at our account you would realize that isn't true. we've always went by the rules, with the exception of when Etsy changes them and doesn't notify sellers... If you did look, You would see that we make a wide range of leather products. After all the sales, 5 star feedback, doing better than 92% of all the other Etsy shops, literally less than 3 returns in 12+ years, almost always had all 3 top seller badges, almost 1,000 sales (would surpass this holiday season, That's just on Etsy!)... 10's of thousands of $$$ spent on supplies and invested in our own company....
With all the scammers and fraudsters on Etsy (several we have reported and are still on here selling!!!) one would think that honest sellers would be the goal for the platform.
Etsy's Loss.
Josh & Amber Best
Evil Duck Studios
www.EvilDuckStudios.com
A true small mom and pop shop (for real, it's me and my wife :)
