Terminated my account before I even selected a theme, uploaded product, or opened the store. WTF?

[ScottBaronBooks]

So, I started setting up my very first store the other night to sell my books (ebook and print). I got fairly far into the process but hadn't uploaded any product. I hadn't even selected a theme yet.

The next morning I wake up to find my account terminated for violating the AUP... which logic dictates is impossible for a store not even open yet. They did this with no warning, no notification, just blammo, shut it down before it even opened. Has anyone else dealt with this? I replied to their email but it's crickets so far.

Here's what they sent me:

Dear Account Owner, 

We have reviewed your account and determined that it is in violation of Shopify's Acceptable Use Policy (AUP). As a result, we are no longer able to host your store on the Shopify platform and your account has been closed.

The full amount of pending payouts will be held by the Processor, in accordance with the Shopify Payments Terms of Service and the Processor's Terms of Service. Payouts are typically held for 120 days.
If you believe that your account was terminated in error, you can appeal using this form.
Please note that this email address is not monitored. Any responses submitted will not receive a reply.

Shopify's Terms of Service can be found here.

Thank you, 

Shopify Merchant Trust Team

[Shay]

Hey @ScottBaronBooks 

I am sorry to hear about this situation. Were you able to successfully submit an appeal form using the link in the email you received? It can take a few days for this to be reviewed but our Trust and Safety team will follow up with you once that is done. Feel free to connect with our authenticated chat support in our Help Center if you have additional questions about this. 

[ScottBaronBooks]

I got an email today asking for:

* Proof of address - Utility bill (e.g. water, electricity, or gas bill from the past 3 months), lease agreement (dated) or property insurance (dated)
* Proof of business association (i.e. business license, business registration documents (with company number) or business tax filing record).
* Proof of inventory (i.e. dated supplier invoices, dated manufacturing agreements)
* Social media links related to your business (if none, please explain how are you driving traffic to your store)

But no reason why it was deleted in the first place. I write and sell books. I asked for clarification and sent them a reply with my social links. We'll see what they say.

[Chantaltay]

Hi - just wondering if they reopened your account? Same thing happened to me, hadn't even opened my store yet. How long did the process to reinstate your account take if they did please? 

[ScottBaronBooks]

Yeah, they reopened it after about a month. No real explanation though, and it killed my motivation/momentum.

[agape-gifts]

The same thing just happened to our store. We were only open 48 hours. I did not receive a letter, but when I filled out the appeal. it requested the same info you mentioned.

You said it took approx. a month for the store to be re-opened, but may I ask how it has gone for you since then? And additional issues?

[CleverKobold]

I was wondering if you had any updates regarding this matter, as this exact same thing has just happened to me and it has been 2 days and still nothing. Did you ever get them to reopen? How many days did it end up taking?

[ScottBaronBooks]

It took about a month or so. Eventually it got fixed, but they didn't ever tell me why. A few others in a FB group I'm in said they'd had the same thing happen. Seems to be a bug in the Shopify setup system.

[agape-gifts]

May I ask how about your outcome. We experienced this same thing April 2025. Account was 48 hours old (4-15-25 to 4-17-25). Did they re-open your store? If so, how long did it take? Any issues since then? I would appreciate any insight.

Thank you, Sandy

[renanendigital]

Same happened to me couple days ago

They did not even notice me before. 
I am quite disappointed with this ditatorial decision of shopify. Its quite wrong what they have done.
 

[Sunolpottery]

Same happened to me last week when I went on a vacation. Did not upload anything to my store yet. I really do not want to open my store with them anymore. I bought my domain with them, hope I could find a way to set my domain with other platform. Their AI is horrible just like some medical insurance company.