Receiving Messages from a 2021 order

[RainsCraftyBits]

Eh, I received a new message notification. Strange bit is that the message seemed to be me sending to the buyer. No idea why I am receiving that in my inbox.

Then I received buyer's message seemingly to reply to the message I have sent and that was back in 10 Mar 2025. I am thinking its a system bug so I did not respond. However, just today, i received another reply from the buyer thanking me for the order. 

I'm clueless. Does that mean the buyer is responding a message sent 4years ago? Should I even reply to it?

[ArtDollsbyJD]

There have been some odd glitches.  As a buyer I got a notice to review an item I purchased 4 years ago.  Uh Etsy there is no way I can leave a review now in 2025

[CryzalisMasksUK]

Just reply with you are very welcome. I received a message on my other shop from 2021 last month. Customer asked a question, I answered within 20 minutes, he replied 4 years later with "Thank you" 

No point in trying to understand some people 

[DeuxMeus]

That sounds really confusing! It definitely seems like there might be a glitch in the system if you're receiving messages from such an old order. It's possible that the buyer accidentally replied to a message in their inbox that was archived or didn't get removed properly.

Since this is related to an order from 2021, I would recommend checking your order history to confirm if it was fulfilled and if any communication took place at that time. If everything seems resolved on your end and you feel comfortable, you could send a polite response acknowledging their message, but you might want to clarify the situation first.

It's always good to maintain communication, but it may help to mention that you were surprised to receive a message about an old order. Good luck, and I hope it all gets sorted out!

[BeaconwoodDettman]

Check with Etsy support, if it's a glitch maybe it's affecting more people and they can have someone fix. 

As a side note, I once had a scam message from someone saying they never received their order but when I looked, the order was over a year old. Apparently, the scam is that sometimes scammers get access to someone's computer and bank info and get a refund when they say "never received". I saw a couple other posts in the Forum from sellers who said they had gotten something similar. Be careful!

[KGarnerDesigns]

Could be a glitch or a silly customer, but beware of possible scams.

[DougsVintageStore]

As KGarnerDesigns remarked here, it may be a scam, be careful.

Best of luck.

[PillowDetails]

Possibly a case of recycled tracking numbers through USPS.  For some reason, this only seems to happen on Etsy with their automated tracking emails they send Buyers.  I received one myself - from Etsy - saying my order was on the way.  Oddly enough, I recognized the Seller as a shop I had purchased from 6 months previously.  Looking at the tracking on my old purchase showed a more recent string of activity, originating from a city/state that was NOT where my Seller was located.  Just a thought!

* Oh,, I see the OP  is not in the US, so this most likely doesn't apply in this case - but I'll leave my post up for future readers.  : )

[auntiejans]

Happened to me this morning also!  I check my sent orders daily & send out a "your package is schedule for delivery today" message.  This morning, I got 1 message that said Thank you!  in response & a second message from the same person "Got it"!  They were both for a order sent in 2021.  SMH

[ThePurplePuppy]

I got one from a buyer who bought in 2016 saying she did not recall buying anything. After some detective work I found she had gotten a message sent to her back then (in 2016).