To warn you that Etsy are thieving bastards?

[CommissarySushi]

I received a £50 gift card for my birthday from a family member. I finally got round to using a few days ago. I created an account to redeem the gift card and checked out with items from two shops, using the gift card balance and the rest on my card.

I instantly received an email to say that the purchases were not able to be completed. I went back to my Etsy account and there was a notice to say that my account had been suspended. I'm still confused as to why this happened. As far as I can see, I did not violate any rules, or terms and conditions. It said I would get an email to explain why and what I could do to get my account reinstated but I never received this.

Instead, I went through the website and filed and appeal, thinking this was just an annoying mistake. I got a response yesterday evening saying that they "have determined my account does not qualify for reinstatement" and, worse, that they "are unable to discuss the status of my account further". So what? They can just take the money from my family member and not allow me to use the gift card?? Surely that is theft?

Google tells that gift cards are non-refundable and that, in the event of a permanent account suspension, the balance is forfeited! I've sent another email and I'm waiting for a response, but it doesn't look like they're going to help me.

Honestly, this is just one thing on top of another. I'm on my own with the baby for two months and struggling through the days and going back and forth over email has really sapped the remaining energy out of me. I know it's not a big deal, in the grand scheme of things, but sad I can't use my birthday gift too. And annoyed for family member! Although, of course, I won't tell them about this. I don't want them to feel obligated to do anything for me.

Could you use the gift card code via someone else’s account? That’s so shit. I’d be upset too.

I'm so sorry to hear about your struggles and bad experience.
I bought a mirror from a seller on Etsy in April.. I have contacted him numerous times as I have yet to receive the mirror. He is refusing to refund (€360) my money as he says he has shipped the item, but he knows I haven't received it. On Monday I will be contacting Etsy to get a refund from them ....be interesting to see if they are interested.

It was a one time code that I had to link to that account so I don't think so 😢. The balance on the suspended account is showing zero too so I think it's just gone.

The most frustrating bit is that they will "no longer discuss the status of my account" and still haven't replied to me asking why my account was banned! How can they take money and then refuse to discuss it??

I'm going to try to find a number and call them in the morning. It's so annoying that I have to try and find time to do that too though.

Thank you. I hope you get your refund!

You need to tweet this, and then hopefully it will go viral! 🤣

Nightmare!

Try the charming approach as the person you deal with may have some clout but if no luck threaten with reporting to Trading Standards:

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/get-more-help/report-to-trading-standards/

Maybe the person who bought you the voucher can do a claim through their bank to get the money refunded. I wouldn’t not tell them, as I would be very upset if I bought a voucher and the recipient couldn’t avail of the voucher.

Thanks everyone. I will turn in the charm tomorrow!

@MrsEMR It was several months back now so I'm not sure the bank would be able to retrieve it anymore? Maybe I should tell them though, in case they buy me more Etsy gift cards.

You need to call them out on social media,they seem to use instagram the most, it's the only way some online companies seem to listen.
Failing that you have to tell your family member, I'm sure they will be just as annoyed by it, maybe they have an etsy account and might have better access to their customer service.
ETSY, if you are have Google alerts for your brand, (which of course you do) this is really bad behaviour.

I don’t know what the solution is OP, but if you Google it, you are far from the only one. They definitely have form for this.

How annoying. Whatever's happened it's obviously a mistake, so there will be a solution... it'll likely be a royal pain in the arse though 😭

Yeah, I'm realising I may need to do this. It's awful that we need to publicly call out these companies to get what you're owed.

I noticed this too when I was looking for a solution. I never thought Etsy would be so shady, it's so mainstream.

I'm sorry this has happpened OP. Etsy is falling out of favour with people who make things, as the fees it charges sellers are apparently extortionate and it allows mass-produced drop-shipped crap from China to be advertised and sold. A bit like AirBnB, it has strayed far from its origins as it tries to maximise returns for shareholders and in the process is screwing the people who supply the product. If you see something you like that is handmade, have a search to see if you can get it direct from the maker, their own website/social media. (Same for AirBnB - many holiday let owners have their own websites with better prices and prefer to deal directly with guests.)

I wouldn’t less this go. Try social media. Get the gift giver on it too.

Outrageous! I didn’t realise Etsy did gift cards and certainly wouldn’t be buying one now.

I wonder if you could go through the small claims court just on principle.

I suspect you could claim for lost time too

Ridiculous but doesn’t surprise me unfortunately. I used to sell things on Etsy, and the groups I was on was full of people saying their selling accounts were suspended for no obvious reason, or sometimes something stupid like having used a courier who didn’t give a tracking number. It never happened to me but lots of people having their income suspended during this time and then having years of Etsy accounts with good reviews cancelled and having to start again. Plus the allowing mass produced items from China being sold as ‘handmade’ undercutting actual artisans and using their pictures!! 😡

I’ve never heard of it being done on a buyers account so no advice really but keep on at them to return your £50.