Is it safe to have a VA for Etsy

[Darien4]

Hi there,

I have read many stories about Etsy shutting down shops after a VA accessed it. The problem seems that this VA had also loged in other etsy accounts that were against etsy TOS. However it seems that Etsy doesn't like when an account log in from different IP/Devices. They advise not to share the log in informations.

I really need a VA for my shop right now and that person will be in another country than me but he won't be working with any other etsy account. I am planning to disclose it in the appropriate section of my shop as a Customer Service Assistant

This is accepted by Etsy, as mentionned in one of their Help page.
Customer Service: A person who helps the shop owner communicate with buyers and provide excellent and prompt customer service. Please note that the shop owner must continue to participate in the running of the shop in an active role.

However, the only way for someone to access the Etsy Convo is by loggin in the shop owner account, which is in contradiction with Etsy advises... So, I am wondering if it is safe or not to get a VA if we are not in the same country. Also I am wondering if we can both be connected at the same time to that account (one handle customer messages while the other work on the listings for example).

Anyways, legally, Etsy can close any shop at any time...
Termination By Etsy. We may terminate or suspend your account (and any related accounts) and your access to the Services at any time, for any reason, and without advance notice. If we do so, it’s important to understand that you don’t have a contractual or legal right to continue to use our Services, for example, to sell or buy on our websites or mobile apps. Etsy may refuse service to anyone, at any time, for any reason.

In addition, Etsy support is inexistant so I don't want to be in a position where I have to reach out to them. I cannot take any risks.

Does any one has experience about that?

 

[medialounge]

Hi there,

I have read many stories about Etsy shutting down shops after a VA accessed it. The problem seems that this VA had also loged in other etsy accounts that were against etsy TOS. However it seems that Etsy doesn't like when an account log in from different IP/Devices. They advise not to share the log in informations.

I really need a VA for my shop right now and that person will be in another country than me but he won't be working with any other etsy account. I am planning to disclose it in the appropriate section of my shop as a Customer Service Assistant

This is accepted by Etsy, as mentionned in one of their Help page.
Customer Service: A person who helps the shop owner communicate with buyers and provide excellent and prompt customer service. Please note that the shop owner must continue to participate in the running of the shop in an active role.

However, the only way for someone to access the Etsy Convo is by loggin in the shop owner account, which is in contradiction with Etsy advises... So, I am wondering if it is safe or not to get a VA if we are not in the same country. Also I am wondering if we can both be connected at the same time to that account (one handle customer messages while the other work on the listings for example).

Anyways, legally, Etsy can close any shop at any time...
Termination By Etsy. We may terminate or suspend your account (and any related accounts) and your access to the Services at any time, for any reason, and without advance notice. If we do so, it’s important to understand that you don’t have a contractual or legal right to continue to use our Services, for example, to sell or buy on our websites or mobile apps. Etsy may refuse service to anyone, at any time, for any reason.

In addition, Etsy support is inexistant so I don't want to be in a position where I have to reach out to them. I cannot take any risks.

Does any one has experience about that?

What if you get your VA a vps in your location

I think that should reduce the risk involved

 

[rednada]

Well, the only thing that I can think of: download Teamviewer and have him access your PC and do the work? This should be 100% safe, but, of course, inconvenient (as you can't use the PC while he's doing his work). Also you should protect everything from accessing except your browser/necessary files

 

[Darien4]

Thanks for the replies.
I had thought about both options but I am sure that a VPS or proxy is not okay with Etsy TOS and I dont want to take this risk.

My business is 100% legit and transparent.

I just want to know if some of you guys had issue with Etsy for doing this kind of thing. Etsy doesn't care at all about theirs sellers, even the ones who follow the rules. I cannot risk my shop to be suspended for 2-3 weeks because of an automatic action taken by etsy bots/algorythm or whatever based on a suspect activity (same account connected at two different locations at the same time).

Do they ban accounts for this reason?

 

[Lily18]

It is better to get someone you know or trust, after all you are risking your business not unless you are certain with your security even if you will disclose it with others.