Preferred refund method: Etsy credit Messages

[EarthWindBells]

Why is every message from Etsy's messaging system about to take out a case against me?
I asked a customer to send me a new address because the one they entered didn't have a house number. (How does that even happen?)
They used the messaging system but didn't reply to my message. I thought they were replying so now I missed the 24 hour deadline. The support person I was chatting with was making it about me missing the message. They could not answer my question about why I'm getting these messages that say: "Preferred refund method: Etsy credit", every single time a customer asks me to add a note to their order or change an address. This happens all the time, at least 2 times a week. You would think with this new gift mode all of this would be streamlined.
I'm honestly asking what is going on?

[michellepatterns]

It's either a glitch or it's possible etsy is trying to get the refund method up front.  Some of these types of message end in a refund of some sort so etsy might be asking the buyer about it before the message can be sent.  Then etsy knows what to do IF there is a refund. 

There isn't anything to do on your end so just ignore it.  

[JJewellerySuppliesUK]

When a refund is issued these days then a buyer gets to choose whether to keep the money here on Etsy to spend again or whether they would like it back on their card.  It is strange that you are seeing this so I would imagine it is a glitch since that correspondence is between Etsy and the buyer since we do not get involved in actually refunding a buyer. 

As for the missed message, Etsy will do nothing about that so just let it go.  The bots will have picked up an unanswered message and dinged you, sorry. 

[CanningCrafts]

I have been seeing the credit thing in messages for weeks now. I think Etsy is giving buyers a drop down menu to select refund preference when they are just sending a message about an order. This issue has popped up in the forums for a bit now & there may be some issues with it. Some sellers (as buyers) claim they were not given the option of choosing refund or credit & Etsy defaulted to CREDIT, which they didn't want. 

[MadeByKatarina]

I have received this message today too. The customer ordered the wrong item, which was shipped yesterday and she wants a different item to be shipped, what I don't even have.

[funkydreamsmosaics]

Apparently, Etsy wants you to choose your preferred refund method even if you're just saying Hi!  LOL

The first few times I got Messages that included that note, I was so confused.  But now that I know that they are automatically included, I've stopped paying attention.  The worst part is that it means NOTHING to us as sellers. We just refund.  What happens after that is out of our hands.  So why even have it included in Messages at all?  Sigh.  

[DaysofYoreTreasures]

Here is another thread about it.
https://community.etsy.com/t5/Providing-Great-Customer-Service/Aggravation/td-p/147044360

This is what seems to be happening -
If a buyer goes to their Purchases to contact a seller, the only option is to use the "Help with order" form.

If the buyer selects Refund my order or I'd like to return my order from the 2nd tier options, they are required to make a choice between Etsy credit or Original payment method.
If the buyer selects any other 2nd tier option (including Replacement), the refund options are not displayed but the help request that goes to the seller includes this text in bold - Preferred refund method: Etsy credit.

[lovestrucksoul]

It's been on almost all my messages lately. All they want is to change their size or some random questions, and it's still selected. I assumed Etsy was forcing them to select something to be allowed to message me. Etsy is just creating a situation where I ignore their irrelevant banner. At least it's not telling me my customers are potential customers reaching out for the first time anymore, as if I need to answer to try to get that sale. Harumph.

[SoigneTreasures]

Same here. All messages.  I need a phone number for international orders so they message me as requested  - message says prefered refund Etsy credit. These poor customers are just sending me their phone number, so often follow up with another message saying they do not want a refund. Really messy and unprofessional.