Hello everyone,
I want to share my experience and shed light on what seems to be a recurring issue for many merchants here. After three weeks of having my payouts Payments on hold, during which I submitted all requested documents (proof of business, inventory, ID, etc.), my store was suddenly closed for violating Section 7 of the Acceptable Use Policy (AUP).
Here’s the situation:
- I carefully reviewed and accepted Shopify’s policies before starting my business.
- I do not sell prohibited or illegal products; my store sells products sourced transparently from a trusted supplier.
- All legal information, including my business details, is clearly displayed on my website.
- Despite following all guidelines and complying with every request during the review process, Shopify closed my store without providing specific reasons.
What’s worse, they are holding onto my payouts, which is money that belongs to me, for 120 days. This decision has caused significant financial strain and feels deeply unjust.
After reading through this forum, I see I’m not alone in this. Many merchants have had their stores closed for alleged violations of Section 7, with little to no explanation and no opportunity for meaningful dialogue. It’s heartbreaking to see hardworking entrepreneurs losing their businesses, income, and trust in a platform they relied on.
I appealed the decision by filling out the form (they ask for the same documents, so I don't know if it changes anything...).
To Shopify: We need better communication, clearer explanations, and fair treatment. Entrepreneurs invest time, money, and energy into their stores, and sudden closures without proper justification or recourse are unacceptable.
To fellow merchants: If you’ve faced a similar issue, please share your stories here. Together, we can amplify our voices and demand accountability.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. I sincerely hope Shopify reconsiders how they handle these cases and provides more transparency to the merchants who fuel their platform.
Ticket ID: 749d88c0-cebd-48f2-8ba1-031468b4729f
