Impact of Spammers on My Star Seller Rating

[BitWarp]

I hope this message finds you well. I wanted to bring to your attention an issue I've encountered regarding the calculation of my Star Seller data.

Despite my prompt and diligent responses to inquiries from customers, my respond rate is showing as 50%. However, I have consistently replied within two hours to the only legitimate inquiry I've received about an order. The remaining messages I've received were unsolicited spam attempts, which I promptly identified and marked as such.

These spam accounts often use usernames such as "Tech Support" and have an Etsy logo as their avatar, making them appear authentic. Is there not a way to catch these flagrant spammers automatically?

This situation is particularly disappointing because, in my short time selling on Etsy, I would be eligible for Star Seller status after the probationary period if it weren't for this issue. I have already met the sales and review requirements within just two weeks of selling on Etsy.

While I have taken measures to mark these messages as spam, it's possible that one may have slipped through the cracks and contributed to skewing my respond rate.

Is there a feature available to block users who are not making genuine inquiries about items for sale or orders they've placed? Such a feature would greatly assist in maintaining the accuracy of my seller data.

I appreciate your attention to this matter and look forward to your guidance on resolving this issue.

Thank you for your assistance.

[BootifulLabels · Accepted solution]

If you download the CSV for messaging it will identify the "offending" message.  Find it in your inbox and mark it as spam now, using a PC or the buyer app, you can't do it on the new seller app.  In a day or two your stats should correct automatically.  

It is best to deal with this garbage as you come across it.  Spam it and it won't harm your SS stats.  

[LeLightFantastique]

@BitWarpI think that losing Star Seller status is the least of your worries given the 'handmade' items you have listed......

[BitWarp]

Thank you for your input, but the three 3D printed(believe it or not I make them in my home) items I sell 100% count as handmade as per etsy( see section 2 here: https://www.etsy.com/hk-en/legal/handmade).  

[BagmakerSupply]

@BitWarp: If you have not yet done so, you might want to read https://www.etsy.com/legal/policy/reselling/239324376512 and also research about using other people's intellectual property (such as brand names) without their permission. Violating Etsy's rules can prevent you from ever receiving Star Seller.

As to your current Star Seller situation, you need to look at the applicable CSV file available on your Star Seller page for see what "slipped through the cracks". When you look at the file remember that that the dates / times are in UTC (not your time zone), only the first message of a new incoming thread is included (all that counts for Star Seller), and usually a new incoming thread is not included until after the 24 hour reply window has passed regardless of when you replied. Star Seller stats (and the CSV file) seem to be updated only once per day so there may be an additional day's delay. There is also a link to the actual message thread so you can verify if the data is correct or not.

A controversial workaround : if the unanswered new thread is not a Help Request, at least for the time being, it appears that marking an unanswered new thread as SPAM (even after the 24 hour deadline has passed) will cause your reply percentage to change in a day or two (but not retroactively) if the original message was within the current star seller period. Note that subsequent messages from that account may go directly to the SPAM folder.

Please also keep in mind that your fellow sellers are not supposed to help shops that violate Etsy rules or the law.