UPDATE Dec 20th: Ship&co is back on the Shopify App Store. Thank you all. --- I love you, Shopify, but this feels a bit harsh. Without addressing any of my questions or concerns, I received this email—with a one-month deadline that seems almost impossible to meet. Our app does not appear on the Shopify App Store and new installs are currently blocked. This change doesn’t just impact us; it complicates things for our Shopify users. They’ll now have to deal with two separate billings: one in USD through Shopify’s Billing API, and another in JPY for the shipments they create. So yes, we can make more money with this change. But please, give us some time. We’ve been Shopify Partners since 2017 (and I’ve been selling on Shopify since their beta in 2006). I feel like the Old Man Screaming at the Clouds. I'm not asking for a free pass—we just need time to figure out how to make this work. But more than that: Shopify, Harley Finkelstein, I think you should reconsider how you engage with your partners. The tone of these communications is off, and such sudden changes cannot realistically be implemented in such a short timeframe. The threat of delisting and blocking new installs is shocking, especially given everything we’ve done to support Shopify in Japan. Japan is one of Shopify’s top growth markets. Earlier this year, we underwent an audit with a different team at Shopify (thank you Santina Farinella for your support) to ensure our app was listed directly in the Shipping section of every Japanese Shopify store. We made all the required changes. In 2024, we launched three Shopify extensions to make shipping easier for merchants here. We’re fully committed to helping Shopify grow in Japan, but the current approach risks alienating partners like us who have been with you since the beginning.
Unfortunately this is what happens when as a dev you ride the coattails of a big US software platform. Apple, Salesforce, Shopify, all of them... can cut you off at a moment's notice and on a whim. For years now, I only use apps with an open source competitor or community variant, because that competition keeps the major players more supportive of their loyal devs. I realize that Shopify does have competitors, but they've been quite skilled in knocking most of the viable alternatives out of the market, and now you are seeing the inevitable outcome. While you will need to kowtow to their demands, I'm also guessing you might be thinking to start developing a competing underlying product. It will take years and a lot of sweat and tears, but it will be super satisfying once you start taking market share. I have been on exactly the same mission with our travel toolset, www.toursoft.systems. Years to build this product and now we are taking direct aim at our version of Shopify in the travel space. Because we're 1/3 the price with superior functionality, it's hugely satisfying for my team to see each customer converting and being surprised that we are such a great deal and still operating in a "Do No Evil" mode.
I can relate to your frustration, having faced a similar situation myself. Given your long-standing partnership with Shopify since 2017, it's understandable how this sudden action can feel abrupt. However, Shopify does provide official channels and announcements to keep partners informed about upcoming changes. These updates, such as the transition from REST to GraphQL APIs announced earlier this year or the upcoming deprecation of the current Billing API, are critical for staying ahead. Unfortunately, messages like the one you received are typically sent when old methods have been deprecated and necessary updates haven’t been addressed in time. This highlights the importance of closely monitoring Shopify's updates and documentation to avoid last-minute adjustments. I hope Shopify considers extending the deadline in situations like yours to allow partners to adapt and align their solutions, ensuring smoother transitions for everyone involved.
Commenting for reach. As a Shopify partner you have done so much for the Japan community and also supporting our app devs globally in the past. Hope this resolves quickly.
Commenting so this finds the right person Thomas. Perhaps Junichi Okamura knows who can help unblock
Commenting for exposure in hope you can be given more time to resolve.
Wow this sucks. I'm sure Shopify will come around and get this fixed as long as this gets high enough or we make a big enough of a fuss.
Hi my friend! If there is anything I can help you, please let me know.
Seriously??? 😳
Leaving a comment to help increase visibility! Wishing for the best resolution to this matter. We also want to express our gratitude, as we wouldn’t have considered using Shopify without your support Thomas!
Founder & CEO @ Judge.me
1dNever met you Thomas, but this really sucks for you and I am sorry you are going through it. If it makes you feel a bit better, at Judge.me we support over 460K Shopify merchants and we've been threatened deranking and delisting at several points in 2024 too. So it's not just you getting this treatment. As far as I can tell, it's everyone. We've been aggressively investing in a compliance department, scanning for any and all shifts in Shopify policies (explicit and implied) continuously. If you can afford it, do the same. Think of Shopify not as a partner, but as an unregulated regulator. It's their kingdom we live in and at the moment they feel the need for swift and harsh treatment. Just observe as a court member, don't take it personally. Also, if I may say so, look into the communication patterns of codependent abuse - you are guilty of this as well here with how you open your message. Sometimes silence is the only way to respect yourself. (I understand the irony of me breaking silence here.) Happy to go on a confidential call with you if this helps where I can speak more bluntly about WTF is happening. All the best with your business, dude. You got this.