Message answering percentage

[Witchywoman]

My message percentage has not updated to count messages toward starseller. Is there a glitch? I’m gonna lose starseller over 1 message I missed because for some reason it was a duplicate message. It’s hard as a small shop to keep starseller. I’ve managed so far only to lose it now for one single message. A duplicate. 

[BootifulLabels · Accepted solution]

Unfortunately, this is not a glitch.  If you missed answering a message within the 24hr requirement, it will count against you.  It doesn't matter if the message is a duplicate, ALL new messages received require an answer within 24hrs, or to be marked as spam if applicable.  If a buyer opens a Help request, the system automatically creates a copy of that message in your inbox to notify you, in case you don't see the Help Request.  Even if you act on the Help Request, you need to respond to the inbox message, if only to let the buyer know you have dealt with the issue in the Help Request.  Alternatively, if you don't feel a response is warranted, mark the inbox message as spam.  In the absence of one or the other of these actions, the message shows as unanswered for Star Seller.  

[UppNorthEh]

mark the message you missed as spam

[CraftyCornishMaids]

etsy message rate is 95%, that means you can only afford to miss 1 in 20

if you miss 1 of 19, you will not make the cut for star seller.

etsy rolls the messages at the end of the month, into the following month, so all messages are counted, just offset a few days, to give time to reply.

......

etsy separates out "help request" messages to new threads, as they also start the 48 hour clock ticking for cases to be opened, so they are super important, and need to be treated differently.

You have to reply to each new message thread, etsy highlights them in blue, so you can't miss them.