Does opening a case on etsy hurt the seller?

Yes. Opening a case on Etsy does hurt the seller, here’s how:

• Suspension or termination of the seller’s account:
  • If a seller has a high number of cases opened against them, or if the cases involve serious violations of Etsy’s policies, the seller’s account may be suspended or terminated. This could prevent the seller from being able to sell on Etsy in the future.
• Negative impact on seller’s ranking:
  • Etsy’s search algorithm takes into account a variety of factors, including the number of cases opened against a seller. Having a high number of cases opened against a seller may negatively impact the seller’s ranking in search results, which could further impact their sales.
• Negative feedback:
  • If the case is not resolved to the buyer’s satisfaction, then they may leave negative feedback for the seller, which could impact the seller’s reputation and sales.
• Legal ramifications:
  • In some situations, an Etsy seller’s conduct may be deemed illegal or fraudulent, in which case the seller may suffer legal ramifications in addition to any imposed by Etsy.

These are especially true for newer Etsy stores, so if you feel you have been wronged or scammed by a shop that looks new it’s important you open a case so Etsy can take the proper actions and protect other buyers.

However, etsy strongly suggests that if a problem arises during a transaction, both parties should talk to each other and try to find a solution. If the buyer and seller are unable to resolve the dispute through informal means, that is when a buyer may open a case with Etsy for mediation services.

How to open a case on Etsy

It is important to note that cases can only be opened within 90 days of the order date. If the case is opened within the allowable time frame and the seller does not respond within two days, the case will automatically be escalated to Etsy for resolution.

Follow these procedures to open an Etsy case:

1. Sign in to your Etsy account and navigate to Purchases and reviews.

2. Locate the disputed order and click the “Order details & help” button next to the item.

3. Click the “get help with this order” button

4. Select the reason for reporting the problem on the following page and provide a thorough description of the problem.

5. To open the case, click the “Send help request” button.

It is recommended that you carefully understand Etsy’s policies and guidelines before opennig a case against a seller, as cases should only be made for legitimate issues that cannot be handled by direct conversation with the seller.

If you have any issues or need help initiating a case, please contact Etsy directly.