WHY I DON'T SELL ON ETSY - The Good, The Bad & The Ugly (Getting BANNED) 

Thanks for sharing your experience. I have been considering starting an Esty store. It looks like Etsy is full of envious people who will report you just so they can have all the profits for themselves.

I've been watching "why etsy closed my shop" videos this morning for my own channel, and this was the most balanced one I've heard.

For people who are confused: Copyright an trademark are two different things. They have a trademark on the phrase in that font used with the sun in that style, not on just the phrase. The problem is that etsy pulls it as soon as a formal complaint is issued, which means they dont really look into it, they just see an attorney's letterhead and take it down to avoid legal fees. They are siding with who has more money, they know small sellers cant fight back.

I was debating between an ETSY store and my own website-I think I've made my decision now. Thank you for sharing your experiences.

I can understand your situation. Well, you can complain and you can brag about it. At least you had some copyright infringement and they banned you. I had opened an Etsy store last year. I added around 50 products in a week, you know the excitement right. And I was waiting for the sale to happen as I was adding more products. Hours of working on the store. One day, after 2-3 months of opening the shop, all the button were grey and I was not able to click until I saw your account has been suspended, after few hours I got an email from them saying my account was banned and I should never open a store again. No reason was given, why they banned my store. I was so angry, I had spent 3 months, zero sales, and no reason was given why did they ban my account. I think they have become too egotistical and proud of their portal and have become unethical. I simply hate Etsy Thanks for the video

omg so true, all the moms shopping on etsy have so many questions and get so belligerent mad when they dont read the description before purchasing

We could end a lot of this system abuse by malicious sellers very easily. The company has to give you your accuser's real name and contact information. You have a right to know who your accuser is. They should not be allowed to make anonymous complaints because that is just asking for the system to be abused. In fact, this should be for all sites. Because the endless accusations would come to a screeching halt if the accusers were forced to use their real name and give contact info.

Thank you for sharing your experience. I have just started an Etsy shop so will take into account what you have said. Bottom line - If someone else owns the company, they have all the control. Etsy is a great start but the end goal should always be having your own store / website. Thanks again.

I was going to start an etsy shop but thank you for sharing such horrific truths about this platform which I didn't know earlier. Thank you very much for your time you spent on making this video.

Thank you for being so open and to even be taking some time to tell these kind of things thoroughly. It’ll help people to rethink or BE prepared for whats coming for them in reality. I’ve been seeing a lot of “how to sell on etsy” videos, they really be telling only the good stuffs and doesn’t hit us the harsh truth

“You Are My Sunshine” is a well known song title. I wasn’t aware that apparel stores could trademark song titles or lines of lyrics. Thanks for sharing your experience.

Etsy is a good site, but like many online platforms they are so arbitrary and non transparent about their online dealings. The better route is to utilize the space for what it's worth, with a keen eye on moving on to your own. Strategy is EVERYTHING!!

I felt bad for what happened to you on Etsy. Thank you for sharing your experience and for giving us a heads up.

I love how you explain things. You have a very soothing voice and direct, coherent manner of communicating! Maybe you have a job in radio if the online sales drive you crazy! LOL. :) Nice video. Thanks.

This is why I am glad I am a supplier on Etsy. I sell beads and charms for jewelry making, sometimes I include my own jewelry designs, but a majority of my shop is resell. I just don't want to deal with petty people who think they own everything and they are the only ones allowed to sell things.

Fantastic comprehensive video. I've been on etsy for 9 yrs, used to love it and do well with handmade items, but since the forced "free shipping" debarkle which I did not opt in to, the tragic cost increase of postage, the outrageous fees, the aweful customer service and the fact that etsy is now sadly flooded with cheap overseas garbage...I feel I can no longer compete and I know I've been pushed waaaay down in the search. My sales are sitting at zero and have been for some time. Etsy used to be a wonderful marketplace and ive loved my time there but I agree with all your points, somewhere things changed. And yes...other sites target you. I've even had scammers cut and paste my entire store and try to sell on another platform. I've considered the digital items realm but I feel most platforms are very over saturated these days. What do you do when you can't afford your own merchant site? Im stuck. Thanks for a great honest video 👍

Great video, super informative couldn’t have found it at a better time we’re just about to start our candle business and thought about Etsy. P.S you should consider doing a podcast you’ve got the story telling skill.

Wow! This is such an awesome insight. Never knew those tings could happen when selling digital files on Etsy. Thank you for sharing your experience.

This is the most refreshing etsy extensive review I've heard all day, thank you!

That was an awesome video. I have just started on this and needed to know the ugly side of it to protect myself.

I have heard other similar stories about Etsy. Thanks for sharing.

Damn.. I have an etsy store with 250 sales (Start oct-2020) and i spend a lot of time on it... i'm really scared now :( I wish Etsy would do some real investigation work into these claims... they don't appreciate the amount of time it takes to run a successful store. Sub'd and liked your vid - very eye-opening. I will be doing more trademark audits on my store as a double stitch moving forward - thank you so much again!

I appreciate you taking the time to explain what happened to you. And I do think it’s terrible that these large platform selling sites are opaque when it comes to giving you the information you need to correct something if you’ve made a mistake, or someone makes a complaint. I hope you one day get your Etsy store back. You mention opening up your own website/store for $50 a year. How would you recommend doing that? I’m sure others would love your views on that as well. Thanks for the great content.

Thank you Zen for sharing your experiences. My time is precious so it is important to take part in experiences like this. My strategy gets better and better over time, which also becomes more valuable over time. I was going to start with Etsy but I give up and adjust my plan to something better and more independent. Thanks again!

I feel so sorry for what happened anyway thanks for sharing your experience with Etsy and i wish for you the best

I’m hearing you when you’re saying ppl can get on your back about stuff, but I just want to say I really appreciate you, giving us your experience and letting us know what worked for you and what didn’t. It is so frustrating and so I am so glad you decided to give us your thoughts and experience.

That's the experience I been talking about. You been there done it. You the man bro =)

Your videos are so so so HONEST! Thank yo uso much for putting your heart and soul into these. It's so hard to find on youtube these days! Really appreciate it.

Excellent measured presentation of the pros and cons of setting up shop on Etsy and similar platforms. You've confirmed what I already concluded as a Newbie to the Etsy platform with 5 sales so far. No 1 LESSON here is DON'T put all your eggs in one basket. It is absolutely paramount that you set up your own independent website along side your Etsy store. I'm in the humble beginnings of my journey on Etsy purely for the traffic as a newbie but I've already started creating my website and plan to drive all my Etsy customers to my website once it's up and running. Many thanks for sharing your candid account of your experience on the platform. Best wishes to you from London, UK.

This was very insightful. Thank you for sharing your experience. I used to sell on Amazon and you're right, the customer service aspect is a soul suck.

You certainly woke me up!! I was thinking it be really easy but it's not. I threw up a couple listings only so this is great to know before I get to deep. I'll certainly be more cautious now.

The biggest problem with these POD websites is that they don't inform anyone (buyers & sellers) showing a legal serial code to ensure you're the artist who created that piece. I hope something happens soon.

I'm glad I'm not the only one who gets designs taken down and can't explain why. I'm sure it would be impossible to get a design removed if it was a big brand company who copied one of our designs.

Not only are your videos incredibly honest & informational...but you crack me up, "can I come pick up the files?...ohmygod 🤦🏼‍♀️"

Thank you I REALLY appreciate the time you took to explain Esty. I am or was about to start my shop with Esty but just decided to go in another. Direction. What you have said is exactly what others are saying. Thank you again. Very informative video

“The ink ran and destroyed somebody’s life” 😂🤣

Thank you so so much for this very helpful and honest information. I have been up on Etsy for about 3 weeks and have been already suspended with only 2 sale! It's good to know the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly. Your video was extremely helpful.

This was very eye opening about how cutthroat and childish some people can be . Thank you for sharing your story. Very insiteful and useful information. Is very sad and infuriating that your shop was shut down. Just because if some whiny durfwad whos was threatned by your designs. I just started eith etsy and will be watchful.

i think all of them because they have all the ways to control you because your under their company, its better to just put up your own store where you have everything under your control.

You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. You make me happy, when skies are gray.

That's real info. The behind the scenes of online business. Merci beaucoup.

the same thing happened to me, I was selling a lot of my products and doing really well, then they closed by store and banned me. They refused to give me a valid reason, they kept insisting my items were not handmade despite me showing them photos of the items being handmade, the raw materials etc. It makes no sense and they never explained anything properly. Horrible, evil, never ever going back.

Thank you for this video. I got here by looking up Etsy videos hoping to learn some things because I was considering going the Etsy route. Now I know better and will share this video. Hopefully the word will spread enough to impact their bottom line and they will restructure their model to deal with these things more actively, instead of it all being automated through computers.

I love your videos and your straight and honest way of telling us your ideas and experiences. I am selling on Etsy and I believe is true that you have to be very careful of not having all your eggs in one basket, and that you have to be very careful with your designs not to be stolen or not to make any infringements. Etsy is fantastic as you said, and I plan to open my website when I have more sales, as one of the biggest pros of Etsy is the traffic! For newbies like me, this is the perfect platform to experiment and learn. Thank you again.

Thank you for taking time to make the comprehensive useful video to share your experiences. Having your own store and diversify with other platforms is best. Good luck.

One more thing.. I’ve been with Zazzle for 13 years. It takes awhile to find your groove there or figure out your niche. Hang in there.

"They would never specify what it is that's the problem." "A robotic answer back." In other words their legal team raised you the virtual finger because you're a small fish. You really nailed the problem with this lucid, well articulated video. They have a giant machine and what are you going to do about it? Sell everywhere, but have your own platform: it's called "going wide". The challenge, of course, is marketing.

super important information my friend good job, the new sellers need to know with which monster they have business

The part around @12:00 about people not knowing how to do basic computer functions is enough to deter me from ever selling digital products! I worked I.T. for over 10 years and I get how annoying this is!! grandma computer support......been there...done that.....I'm out. 😀😀

Had exactly the same "we received a complaint, and heve removed your art" crap from Redbubble. I used my own photographs that contained a KLM plane. No logo visible even, but some lawfirm from the Netherlands made a complaint with RB. Aparently, using the KLM blue color is enough to get such a complaint. Protested, of course. But to no avail. Got a "permanent removal" notification a few weeks later. 2 months later: same thing with an Air Transat Airplane picture (this time the logo was visible). And I had even asked Air Transat Legal if I could use that specific photograph for comercial purposes (because of that loge; never got an anwer, though). It's just not worth the fight, Im sorry to say.

Thanks for sharing. This is the problem with all big sites, instagram, facebook, amazon. They are so busy being big they really can no be bothered with the truth. So many people do things that shouldn't be done and it is still up. Inever get it. Yes there are people out there who report out of spite.

Many thanks for this video, this channel and your other channel Crafty Stax. I am currently attending the 'University of True Life Experiences' (my nickname for your channels & videos). I have subscribed to a few, but you are the best by far. My aim is to become your most successful student ever. I owe this to you for your time, effort and beautifully balanced output. Thank you deeply. Pete...

Really useful vid. Probably a lot of people set up on Etsy because they're not sure about setting up the sales/payment part if they have their own website, or even how to market, so Etsy seems a good option for all that. But nobody really thinks or explains the possible problems that come with the 'easy' option. Like you say, don't put all your eggs in one basket. Many thanks for taking the time to put this info out.

Getting some work done and playing your playlist because your voice is soothing and I'm learning while working.

We value and love you friend - all the best you’re so very kind and wise 🙌🏾

Love your video! Thank you so much for taking the time to make it!

I got news for the you are my sunshine, the design they are claiming as theirs is from the 1970's and was on a lot of t shirts!

Dear Zen this is such a verrrry sad story. Heartbreaking😪 I only discovered you a few days ago and am watching your videos as fast as I can. I know you are big on RB but am wondering if you started a Shopify store too. It sounds like a good idea but for people with no following and not enough money to do paid ads (not for long anyways) it doesn't seem feasible. Also, I am wondering if you have sold on EBay. I wish only allllll the very best wonderful Zen.Of all the channels and hosts on YT you are truly at the top.❤

That is why if I am gonna make a tee shirt design, I only use my drawings, not some words or sentences because I never know if it is from a famous song, speech or anything.

Hey, Thankyou! For your honest and integral guidance re Etsy, I really apprciated it and found you nothing other than professional. Thanks again.

It was super helpful video, thank you for sharing your experience.

Great presentation. Very honest, unbiased and insightful. Thanks for sharing.

Thank you for sharing your experiences. This is why I have my own websites. Also, with your own website, you can build an email list which is the most valuable asset you will ever own!

Thank you for sharing. This is very helpful as I'm new to Etsy and already had 2 listings deactivated, I didn't realize then but I know why. Opening a Shopify is on my to do list today.

That was a wonderful intelligent conversation. I truly enjoyed your video. As for my choice, I will be setting up my own website. It's only going to get worse with all of these companies (eBay, Etsy, etc.)

Thanks man. I started on Etsy and my account was suspended before I could upload my first listing! Three days and two emails later, NOTHING from Etsy support.

Thank you for sharing your genuine experience on Etsy with us. I really appreciate it..🙌🏼

I honestly wouldn't bother with a store that strikes you because you genuinely have to prove yourself innocent of infringement, when they aren't doing their own due diligence to fight of ludicrous claims. This sounds infinitely worse than RU-vids copyright striking.

I'm sorry you had to go through all of this. So many monstrous giants in this world we live in now.

I tried listing on Etsy before and my ID was requested. I was reluctant to submit my personal details. But for the sake of gaining access to the marketplace, I submitted my ID despite privacy and security risks. But it wasn't approved. No reason given. I can however buy on Etsy. Buying is fast and easy. But I cannot sell on Etsy. Since then I don't have a good impression of them.

I love your energy and honesty

Great info. Sounds like someone chose to shoot you down with complaints.

I found this vid really informative and helpful, thankyou. It is concerning to me that Printful can send out prints that are not even colourfast. I mean really, what the heck? Potentially ruinous to someone's POD business. Did you inform Printful about their mess up?

“You are my sunshine” was the title to a Jimmie Davis song which he and co-writer copyrighted so I would doubt they would have had any TM rights to it short of licensing a lyric phrase from Davis. Great video btw. I recently opened up an Etsy shop to de-stash a collection of vintage sewing mags and patterns. I got ready to upload some doll patterns and lo and behold there were all these shops with the same pattern in pdf download format. I promptly reported them but I doubt a human will ever read my concern. Basically these dishonest shops are keeping physical, legal copies from being sold. They simply scanned the entire pattern, cleaned it up in PS and uploaded. You’re right that Etsy is very inconsistent in how they handle things. It’s largely due to a manpower limitation I would surmise.

Thank you so much for sharing. This was such an eyeopener. Your advice is well taken and will be heeded.

Thank You for this video. Will be a video any soon about Teepublic on why listings not showing up in the marketplace search?

This is good to know, but it always is the type of experience people have that discourages anyone else from even trying. That has prevented me numerous times, but there are people that do well so it's worth a shot. I don't want to have to keep on working for someone else all week with no time to do much else.

Thank you for sharing. I have been considering opening a shop on Etsy but now I will do my own website.

I dont know if it helps. Ive started dating and signing my work as a result of this video. Im also going to keep the digital info of when I put them on computer as evidence. Possibly evidence of upload date.

1000 sales in two years is such a small number.I'd expect like 39,000 minimum. The part where you said, "Can i come and pick up the files made me laugh so much."

It seems like if you're going to sell electronic files of graphic designs, or T-Shirts, you're better off creating the design yourself. Basically meaning you'd better be artistically and graphically inclined. That way you don't have to worry about getting banned from Etsy, you can easily dispute any copyright claims because YOU made the design, and you can go after anyone who steals the design if you so choose.

Thanks for sharing your real life experiences.

thanks i am considering an etsy shop its always good to hear the other side of the story

Zen thank you so much for your caution, I'm so job burned out and have little time to invest my precious free time in something that is so "dangerous" in a way.....I'll diversify, I really do thank u 😊 for a good dose of reality. BTW hey why aren't u promoting ur book??! I was looking on Amazon for pod books and there u were... I was thrilled. I just got it today...very exciting..thank so very much Zen for all the hard work writing it too...very grateful :>)

I used to sell on Mercari... the worst part is always dealing with people. People are so entitled and most expect 'mayor retailer' level of customer service. I was given a 1 out of 5 star rating from a guy because "Shipping was slow", even though he purchased the item on a Thursday night, I shipped Friday afternoon and USPS delivered on Monday! Mercari will never get involved and won't modify or delete these ratings either.

Very informative. I am thinking of opening an Etsy shop. All your information is goo to know. Thank you. Sorry you got banned.

Thank you for sharing. Lots of things to consider before opening a shop. Very useful, thank you!

I used to have a small Etsy shop...very small , a couple of different times. Now I’m getting ready to sell my art and also getting my website ready. I’m just gonna sell on my website and use social media and other platforms as promotional venues. I think it’s good for almost every seller of almost any size to have their own website. So if some site is giving you crap you don’t deserve and you or them wanna end it...you still have your base and you’ll always be more or less protected from the whims and sometimes unfair or poorly explained practices of these huge mega platforms. But geesh, I woulda contacted the seller who made the copyright complaint against you. I would have wanted to know what why they were targeting me or thought they had the right to. That would have been worth some of my time.

You can be inspired by others' designs for ideas but make sure yours is different enough that no one can confuse them. That is the legal bar when it comes to trademarks. It's always best to come up with your own original ideas so that no one can say you copied theirs.

I doubt anyone is thinking you are bragging; you are safe on that one! Thank you for you information. Etsy was a marketplace for crafters, handmade and homemade. Once Etsy has allowed business and manufactured items, handmade and homemade are struggling. It is the change of platform, then the seller fees, for everything are horrible. Since the addition of shipping fees, which Etsy contradicts who is charged, I can estimate close to $5 in fees for a tailored handmade item sold for $18. This is calculating the furthest shipping zone, with discount.

I appreciate your explanation of the difference between digital file types :)

Thank you very much for sharing your experience - may god give you succes!

Really good. Thank you. Most grateful for your content.

I have concerns about Etsy enforcing free shipping etc There seems to be a lot out there ... you put it perfectly, they are the landlords. Etsy was an old faithful in the e-commerce genre but I am seeing an extraordinary amount of vids that have put me off completely. Lack of customer service when there is an issue is a big deal for me. They charge for every kind of fee ...so not being able to contact a human to rectify an issue? Nope ...

This is just nutty. I actually randomly saw an Etsy shop that consisted of a man posing with his... err body part that I as a female do not possess. Also, I’m of the generation who grew up with real music, so I was appalled to see my favorite singer, Carly Simon, superimposed on a naked woman’s body. She’s now in her 70s but I’m certain did not pose for that 40 years ago. That site did that to many celebrities without their permission. So I’m to understand that this travesty and outright porn is okay with them? Meanwhile they treat decent guys like crap. Note taken.

I borrowed several elements to create a unique design for a tshirt and saw my exact design being sold by a huge account. Kinda a bummer but stay the course.

which alternatives do you suggest?

OMG I had a copyright infringement emailed to me from Etsy for the exact same phrase. I managed to figure out the company that put it in against me also. This was in the UK and was for art prints. Again I searched for others and there was literally thousands. I had only made about 13 sales at that point lol. So they clearly weren't targeting the right stores at the time.

Thanks for the info , so where are you selling now or what platform can you suggest would be the best to sell on?.... Cheers :)

This happened to me too. I had created a laser cut design that was similar to someone else's on Etsy. The injured party sent me an email saying that they had copyrighted the design as it was being copied and sold in various other shops. I also received an email from Etsy saying: "Etsy received a report of copyright infringement from XXXX alleging that certain content in your Etsy shop infringe their intellectual property. When a complaining party submits a report of alleged infringement that complies with our policies, we are required to remove the content cited in the report in accordance with our Intellectual Property Policy." They also slapped on a Payment Reserve which lasted around 3 months. What really got me though was that all other shops selling this same design had clearly not received the same notice as me as they had not been told to take them down. So to be fair, I did feel a bit picked on.