Impossible to get star seller bagdge will low cost item

[HungNongGarden]

Hi there,

I am selling items on Etsy in Canada. I am certainly confused about how Etsy calculate how items are being dispatched. I always dispatch items on time, but somehow Etsy algorithm does not count my order as dispatched on time. Another issue I am having is that Etsy requires to have a tracking number for items over $15; however, my big order from customers are usually under $15, with occasional orders between $16-$25. Purchasing a tracking number usually costs around $15 minimum, so I would sell my stuff at a loss while Etsy makes all the money from the fee per order. Etsy does seem to make it impossible for a seller who sells small-cost items in Canada to earn a star seller badge.

Does anyone here have any solution or suggestion?

[AnniebelloPaper]

Do what I do ... forget about the SSP and just provide the best product with the best service you can. At present the star gives you pretty much nothing. There is recent talk about it affecting search but Etsy also promised higher search placement if you offered free shipping and that was canned very quickly (and quietly).

[NancyQstudio]

Yes!  As @AnniebelloPaper suggests ignore the star while continuing to offer strong customer support and good business practices.  Even sellers who've managed to obtain the star are very likely to float in and out of it.  This is because it does not always support good customer service. And there are many things out of a buyers control which the very simplistic program can't manage.