That's some very good info Drew. A very good example of not to buy an existing site on Ebay or Etsy.Just from what you've posted, it sounds like the previous owner may well have done something not good, and had an account suspended. Thats been linked to the one he sold to you. Etsy will keep previous data from when names are changed etc, and still have this linked to the account. This stops people having multiple bad accounts. So if you bought your account from 'John Smith' and then changed the account name to 'Justin From Shetland', John Smith will still always and forever be linked to the account. The same is done by eBay.
Further, Etsy terms say:
'D. You are responsible for your account. You’re solely responsible for any activity on your account. If you’re sharing an account with other people, then the person whose billing information is on the account will ultimately be responsible for all activity. If you’re registering as a business entity, you personally guarantee that you have the authority to agree to the Terms on behalf of the business. Also, your accounts are not transferable.'
from https://www.etsy.com/uk/legal/terms-of-use
So if you ring them up and say 'but we're not linked to any other account' they'll know that's wrong.
If you say you created the account, they'll also know that, and tell you to look at the main one they suspended.
If you say you purchased the account fair and square, they'll say that against their terms anyway.
In my Sunday morning opinion you'll be lucky to get it opened again. I know that's not what you want to hear, but that's the reality.
Options? Depends on weather the account was important, to the product. If the products can be sold on any account (ie the number of return customers is next to nil, and products not instantly link-able to old account) and you have listings backup, then create a stealth account, wait 48 hours, list 5 things, wait 48 hours etc.
If you really need this account, then keep going. Etsy is only really interested in the share holders now. If you're on Twitter, start by going to the CEO who is @jgsilverman but your time may be better spent creating a stealth account, selling else where etc.
I would also email previous owner and ask them outright if they've fornicated up.
Good luck Justin. A s**t situation to be in and just before xmas.