Is Shopify a scam?

[TTTD]

Like many I have seen the shopify ads across multiple social channels. I finally have a case use for Shopify so created my account and started creating my store. My 7 days expired so paid $1 to continue. Created the store and website and bought a domain through Shopify. I uploaded my digital product and everything looked great. It was super easy to create, actually felt quite proud. 

Then out of the blue at 9pm a few days after the store went live, the store has been closed due to T's and C's and thats it. I tried submitting an issue and that failed. Now I continued to keep trying, but I think most would have given up and if they were like me they would have spent $50 and got 0 to show for it. 

How many times does Shopify do this to their user base? Are they just looking for a quick win. Now my store was pretty wild it was going to be a platform to sell E-Books about cars. I know crazy! 

I have since contacted customer support and they said they will help. However, can't give a timeline at all, so do I expect to wait 24 hours / 24 days / 24 months / 24 years? 

Very disappointed in what was looking to be a great and easy platform. I also cannot access the store at all anymore to try and understand what has happened. No warning, just thanks for your money and bye. 

Anyone else in the same place. Wouldn't be surprised if there is a few of us on here with the same issue. 

[PageFly-Richard]

Hi,

This is Richard at PageFly - Shopify Advanced Page Builder app.

You've hit on a very frustrating experience that many Shopify users encounter: sudden account closures with limited explanations. It's especially disheartening when you've invested time and money into building your store. Let's break down why this happens and what you can do.

Why Shopify Closes Stores Without Warning:

• Risk Mitigation:
  • Shopify, as a payment processor and platform provider, has a responsibility to mitigate risks associated with fraud, illegal activities, and policy violations. They often err on the side of caution to protect themselves and their users.
• Automated Systems:
  • Many account closures are triggered by automated systems that detect potential violations. These systems can sometimes be overly sensitive, leading to false positives.
• Terms of Service Enforcement:
  • Shopify's terms of service are extensive, and even unintentional violations can lead to account closures.
• Digital Product Scrutiny:
  • Digital products, especially e-books, can be subject to scrutiny due to potential copyright issues or misleading content.

Common Reasons for Digital Product Store Closures:

• Copyright Infringement:
  • If your e-books contain copyrighted material without proper authorization, Shopify will likely close your store.
• Misleading Content:
  • If your e-books make false claims or promises, it can violate Shopify's policies.
• Reselling Restrictions:
  • If you are reselling e-books that you do not have the rights to resell, this will cause issues.
• High-Risk Category:
  • Digital products, in general, can be seen as a higher-risk category due to the potential for fraud and disputes.

What You Can Do:

• Persistence with Support:
  • Continue to follow up with Shopify support. Document every interaction and request clear explanations.
  • Escalate your case to a higher level of support if necessary.
• Review Shopify's Terms of Service:
  • Carefully review Shopify's terms of service, particularly those related to prohibited products and content.
• Provide Documentation:
  • If you believe your store was closed in error, provide any documentation that supports your case. This could include proof of ownership for your e-books or evidence that your content is compliant.

Hoping my solution helps you solve your problem.

Best regards,

Richard | PageFly