Creating a custom listing is not "responding" to an initial message

[ThePlaidBadger]

I had a customer, that I was standing right next to message me on etsy. To which I created a custom listing since I had already discussed what she was looking for. Now-- according to star seller status for the upcoming month, I'm on track to lose my status because according to Etsy, I did not reply to the message. 

Let that sink in. They received commission for the sale and dinged me because I should have typed something first. Are you kidding me?

[PlatypusDream]

The star seller is all computer run.  "They" don't dictate what happens.  A computer program does.

If you don't pay by the rules you don't get the badge.  It's as simple as that.

If the Star is important to you, learn and follow the rules to a tee.

https://help.etsy.com/hc/en-us/articles/4403058372503-How-to-Become-a-Star-Seller-

[UppNorthCo]

If you were standing right next to this person why did you have the sale go through etsy?

You also have to respond to a request to cancel an order.  I used to just cancel.  Now I respond with "done, thank you." 

[TonsOfPaper · Accepted solution]

Hello @ThePlaidBadger,

Please know that your response rate shows the percentage of all initial messages that you reply to within 24 hours in your current 3-month evaluation period—just the first message, not ongoing conversations. As long as you respond to the first message within 24 hours, then ongoing messages within the same thread will not be counted towards your response rate.

Thank you very much!

[BootifulLabels]

It is not that hard.  If you get a message, you have to answer that message.  It doesn't matter what other actions you take, you still need to respond to the message.  It has been this way since SS began.  

Star Seller is an aspirational program, which has no tangible advantage for the seller.  It is really not worth stressing over, but if Star Seller is important to you, you need to read the rules and make sure you follow them.