Message Rating Concern for Star Seller

[MoonFaceFabrics]

I am delighted to see that Etsy is adjusting the criteria for a star seller, however I have an issue with message rating being connected not only to my messages as a seller but also as a buyer.

I ordered soap from another Etsy shop and the seller sent me a message about my purchase.  I did not respond because it was not necessary and I was the buyer in the transaction.  However, etsy reduced my message rating score as a shop owner because I did not reply to the seller.

I contacted support and I was told, they could be a potential buyer some day so the rating holds.  Please consider changing this policy.  We should not be penalized for supporting other shop owners.

[StallionLeatherClub]

Mark the concerned message as spam!

It'll update in a day or two.

[JJewellerySuppliesUK]

The bot doesn't know who the messages come from so you have to reply to every single one.  If a buyer thanks you by message, you will need to reply and say "Thank you for thanking me" haha!  As above, spam it!

[DesertChains]

It doesn’t matter whether or not you answered questions or provided information. It doesn't matter if a message doesn't need a response. It doesn't matter if the message you received is a duplicate. It doesn’t matter if you were the buyer, not the seller. The system only determines whether or not you replied to an individual message. If you didn't respond or send a message to your spam folder, you are going to get rated down. That's how it works.

Right or wrong, the program has worked this way for nearly a year! The instructions for meeting this metric are clearly stated and easily accessible. Daily posts in the forums also discuss this exact topic.

Send the missed messages to spam. Your stats will update in a day or two.