Incorrect Star Seller stats- Message response rate

[Blasphunny]

I respond to all my customer messages well within the 24hour time frame. However, when a shop I had purchased from and given a 5* review to sent me a copy and pasted thank you, I didn't feel the need to reply. This has lowered my response stats- perplexed at why my buying activity would impact my selling stats.

[NanaLetha]

That’s entirely up to you whether or not you reply to all messages or mark as spam.

[Blasphunny]

Hiya- so you're saying any messages not from customers regarding their orders should be marked as spam, otherwise it will impact the star seller scheme that Etsy itself encourages? Just to clarify appropriate action going forward.

[ArtDollsbyJD · Accepted solution]

@Blasphunny Have you read the information on star seller?  It clearly states that all NEW messages must be answered.  It doesn't matter if it comes from a seller with you as the buyer.  It's a new message so you answer it or if you don't want to answer it because it needs no reply  then spam the message. 

Etsy is clear on this in the information on star seller.

[NanaLetha]

No, I did not say that. Reply OR mark as spam 

[Blasphunny]

Ok, thank you for clarifying. When an seller thanks me for reviewing them, I will reply thanking them for thanking me to keep my seller stats at 100% 

[GieseDeseiGns]

Any message needs to be replied to, the bots do not read they see a message not answered and ding you, so it could be from buyer seller or your friends saying hi. So ALL message need to be initially answered, either by an emoji a thank you, or marking it as spam.

[thePaperFramer]

And yet another seller that hasn't read the policies or looked this up in this forum. This is the 7 zillionth thread on this exact same issue. You have to reply to all first messages. Like it or not, this is what you have to do to keep from getting dinged for your Star Seller. Every body does this once. Hopefully you learn from this and not do it again.

[OmasFabricStash]

I did a forums search a few weeks back and for the week before that there was over 100 separate threads about this. 

[PiecesOfMePaperCraft]

Usually we see a onslaught of star seller complaints the first week of the month. I'm actually surprised that here it is the 20th and we're still seeing them. 

[Blasphunny]

Aw man, can't believe I missed all these really kind messages.

Maybe a policy can be improved? Maybe user feedback can influence policies that don't make logistical sense or can be difficult for people who don't do this full time? Just a thought