Local Delivery and Local Pick up options requested please

[ThePaperFlowerArtist]

ETSY To whom it may concern,

This is a second request  regarding the shipping platform provided through ETSY.

As a satisfied seller who handcrafts customized flowers and arrangements, is very prompt in completing all of my ETSY orders on time, if not early, and a seller who appreciates the ETSY Star Seller Badge Reward opportunities to show potential customers  our strong interest to be professional shop owners with great customer service, it is imperative that ETSY allow shop owners like myself, the option  to offer our LOCAL customers   'pick up' or have their orders 'delivered' without being penalized because we did not provide a  tracking number. 

This hurts our opportunity from earning your Star Seller Badge as well as our customer review ratings which you know helps our small businesses attract new customers. Our local customers  are crucial in building our small businesses.

This appears to be a technical issue on ETSY's side that has caused me to not be a star seller and creates a lower response review to my shop.  Hence, less traffic and loss of possible sales.

Please add a "Local Delivery/Pick Up" option in the "Complete Order" stage that will not penalize our great efforts in providing great customer service and getting our orders out on time.

Sincerely,

The Paper Flower Artist

[NanaLetha]

You are a star seller.

[UppNorthEh]

Local delivery has nothing to do with reviews.  Buyers can still leave reviews.  Do your local sales off etsy, like facebook marketplace or something.

[vintageNCtreasures]

You are a star seller.

I doubt Etsy will ever change this since with local delivery you have NO proof the item was delivered.
You can mark completed orders that they were local pickup but it will ding you for star seller.

From the HELP pages on star seller and marking orders complete:

What if I offer local pick-up or delivery for my items?

Orders that don't have tracking because they are delivered or picked up in person are considered shipped without tracking, and do not meet the Star Seller criteria for shipping.

When is a tracking number required? 

Orders for physical items must have a valid tracking number in order for them to qualify towards Star Seller. You may risk losing your Star Seller badge if you ship orders without including tracking. 

Orders must also have valid tracking to qualify for Etsy Purchase Protection. If something goes wrong with a qualifying order, Etsy Purchase Protection can help you keep your earnings from that sale.

Tracking is not required in the following instances: 

• Digital downloads, including custom digital items
• Customized order additions linked to another order
• Orders being delivered through local pickup
• The shipping of oversized and heavy items

If you need to indicate an exception other than what is listed, you’ll see an option to indicate This order doesn't have tracking below the tracking number field. You can then add a quick explanation for why you can’t add tracking for an order.

[LastCentury]

I only wish!!!

and with the push to promote local and all!!!

except with the botch job on search where you can't even filter a search to your city anymore.

That being said, use wording in your social media to encourage direct transactions through FB or Insta for ANY customer especially locals... to avoid etsy fees & star seller tracking issues on local purchases.

[BagmakerSupply]

@ThePaperFlowerArtist: "This appears to be a technical issue ..." Actually I think that if you look at what Etsy has said on the subject, this is an intentional deliberate design decision not a technical issue. Delivery and PickUp are valid ways to complete an order now, but as you point out they negatively affect Star Seller.

[PrairiePrimitives]

@ThePaperFlowerArtist I've solved this problem by sending a thank you note / business card / packing slip (choose one!) at Etsy's letter rate. This is crappy tracking IF the letter needed to be tracked, however it's good enough tracking for Etsy's purposes! 

And yes, there is potential that your customer would know how easy it is to say they never got their order and, because there was no tracking, they'd probably get a full refund ... from your money ... and they'd probably get to keep their "purchase" (or theft) too. 

I've only used this a few times and didn't have any problems with it.