So my evidence of non-price gouging has been accepted, since we really do sell cheaper than market rate or at market rate. The demand for such evidence is ridiculous, because they are comparing an online store price with by their own request and qualifications "biggest retail chains" who buy hundred thousands of product at once and ship by container sea. And our small store goods that ship via DHL needs to match those prices. It's like economy of scale isn't a thing.
fortunately we managed to do just that because our intent was to help - not to price gouge but then we have no profit on those items, we are just making them available being based in China where supplies are not short anymore). I'd love to go to a 24/7 deli at midnight and tell them they are price gouging me because their price doesn't match wall mart or the dollar store.
So despite being accused of something without evidence, which is contrary to any justice system in western countries, and frankly most democracies, as you can't really prove a negative that's why the burden of proof is on the accuser (imagine you go out of your home and the cops randomly catch you telling you to prove that you never stole anything while they don't have evidence you did anything wrong- that wouldn't fly in any court outside of a dictatorship). My store was still not unlocked, now they ask me about my suppliers, my stock, and same thing, disprove things they can't prove in the first place. But beyong that, it is not even in their Terms of Use. EVEN if price gouging was a thing in their TCU (which is not), NOWHERE in it does it mention that we have to provide to them our suppliers details, records of relationships over the years, and all certificates to the goods we have.
At this point, I think there is an abuse that can be brought in court, beside the damage done to the business based on accusation of wrongdoing from the shop they can't even prove. They ask us to disprove something THEY can't even define (they never defined what is "price gouging" in their TCU), let alone prove. What messed up approach is that.
It looks like a class action here could work. Since they have done damage to our business with baseless accusation (because they didn't define the offense they are accusing us of), that they can't even prove (it's actually hard to prove something you haven't defined - but let's pretend it is a thing). Onus probandi incumbit ei qui dicit, non ei qui negat is the most basic principle of any modern justice system to prevent judiciary abuse of power, and it is one Shopify will gladly ignore while portraying themselves as social justice warrior. There is already an impending economic recession for most businesses, and they are making sure that thousands of famillies will have their head underwater with no chance to get back up and potentially die, so their CEO can feel good about himself "doing good" in the face of public opinion (I don't think it will work out that way).
Good job Shopify, maybe class action guys is our last resort. It's unfortunate that Shopify ignores the very basic principal of modern justice, but it turns out Shopify has base in north America and Europe, where modern justice exist to protect consumers/businesses.
