Dear Shopify Community,
I hope this message finds you well. I come to you today with a heavy heart and a story that I believe needs to be shared within our community. On September 1st, my Shopify store, which I had poured my heart, soul, and countless hours into, was inexplicably rendered inactive without any prior warning or notice.
The bewildering part of this ordeal is the lack of clarity and communication from Shopify support. I reached out continuously, seeking answers and assistance, only to be told that my case had been escalated to the “concerned account team.” I waited anxiously for some clarity, and on September 4th, I received an email from Shopify with a vague statement: “After reviewing your information and website, we have determined that your business presents a level of risk that we will be unable to support with Shopify.”
To say that I was shocked and disheartened would be an understatement. My journey with Shopify was founded on the belief that I would have control over my business and operate it with peace of mind. I had even taken the significant step of creating an LLC in the USA to enable Shopify Payments on my store. However, my store was deactivated without any explanation or opportunity to address any perceived issues.
My disappointment extends beyond personal investments. I had proudly shared my store with friends and family, inviting them to explore and support my venture. Now, I face the challenge of explaining to them what happened, which has undoubtedly affected my credibility and their trust in my endeavors. If I were to create a new store, would they trust it, or would they fear a similar outcome?
I am left with numerous unanswered questions. What exactly is the risk that Shopify is referring to? I meticulously built a dropshipping store, relying on trusted apps available on the platform. I was fully prepared to invest in marketing, advertising, and even had plans for an affiliate marketing strategy. All the risk associated with the business was on my shoulders, so what was this perceived great level of risk that Shopify mentioned?
One possible concern I can identify is chargebacks, a known issue in e-commerce. However, if chargebacks were the issue, why not simply disable Shopify Payments and allow me to set up alternative payment providers? Deactivating my entire store seems like an extreme measure, causing immense stress and emotional turmoil.
The mental and emotional toll of this experience cannot be overstated. I have lost faith in Shopify as a reliable platform for my business. The fear of this happening again if I were to create another store looms large. It begs the question: Why did Shopify not communicate its concerns or policies before, during the four months I spent building my store?
I would like to suggest that Shopify could significantly improve its service by proactively assessing business risks during the initial registration phase. Instead of waiting until entrepreneurs have invested months of time, energy, and money into building their stores and paying Shopify’s monthly fees, conducting due diligence at the outset would be far fairer and more transparent. This approach would help prevent the disappointment and frustration experienced when stores are suddenly deactivated after so much hard work has been put in. By addressing potential risks early, Shopify can demonstrate its commitment to supporting businesses from the beginning and building trust with its users.
I did reach out to Shopify, requesting a reconsideration of their decision, but my hopes are dwindling. As of now, it feels like all is lost, and I find myself in a state of heartbreak and disappointment.
In closing, I implore Shopify to reconsider its approach to handling situations like mine. It’s not just about my personal experience; it’s about ensuring that all Shopify users have a fair and transparent experience when building their businesses. If there are concerns about risk, please consider alternative solutions that do not inflict such emotional distress on your customers.
Sincerely,
A Disheartened, Heartbroken, and Devastated Shopify Customer