Shop Manager Never Indicated a New Message Had Been Received

[LCPSoapAndCandleCo]

My shop manager never indicated a notice that a message had been received. I am in my shop every day as I was all throughout the day when this message was supposedly received as I was updating listings and had several orders I was printing out and processing. I do most of my shop management on my laptop as the Etsy app still has too many issues.

I do not get many messages but I always respond to messages immediately. I received an email in my junk folder the following day but by then it was just past the 24-hour mark. I still immediately responded to the sender.

Just a note: When I saw the notice in my junk email folder that I had a message from my shop manager I went straight to my shop and it was still not indicating there was a new message. Only when I clicked on the link did I find the unread message and immediately responded. I then contacted Etsy for help. It looks to be a system glitch as this is the first time it did not show I had a message in my shop manager. 

I will now not qualify for Star Seller. I should not be penalized for Etsy system errors/glitches. No seller should. There are so many glitches, even in Chat! I received duplicate responses for every question I asked.

[NanaLetha]

You only need 95% for the messages badge.

[LCPSoapAndCandleCo]

I receive very few messages. I have only had two during this review period. I am now at 50%. So, this begs another question for those shops that do not receive a lot of messages. They might never make Star Seller. I have made SS since its inception with the exception of last month as my sales were $15 short. My items average under $10. I have now put my shop on auto-reply which I did not want or felt I needed to do since I monitor my shop often throughout the day and prefer to quickly respond to all messages personally. 

[BootifulLabels]

So, this begs another question for those shops that do not receive a lot of messages. They might never make Star Seller.

You're right.  There are many sellers who will never qualify for Star Seller.  Whole groups of sellers, like those who sell low priced items, those who have low volumes of sales each month, those who receive few messages and cannot afford to miss even one, those who live in countries where tracked shipping is either not available at all, or cost prohibitive, to name a few.  Some of us fit more than one, or even ALL of those categories.  

Star Seller is designed in such a way that not everyone can aspire to it.  That is the way they want it, if everyone could get it, it would lose its attraction and no-one would bother trying. 

If it means something to YOU to have the badge, by all means put in the effort and do what you can to achieve it.  But don't fall for the hype about it being a reward for elite shops, there are no tangible rewards attached.  For me, it would actually mean that I would have to reduce my customer service levels to achieve the badge.  No thanks, it is meaningless.

[LCPSoapAndCandleCo]

I receive very few messages. I have only had two during this review period. I am now at 50%. So, this begs another question for those shops that do not receive a lot of messages. They might never make Star Seller. I have made SS since its inception with the exception of last month as my sales were $15 short. My items average under $10. I have now put my shop on auto-reply which I did not want or felt I needed to do since I monitor my shop often throughout the day and prefer to quickly respond to all messages personally. 

[ATPTextures]

Same issue here. I check daily. I find if I am on my phone already, the ding is silenced and the notification doesn't come up in the app. Not sure if that's my personal settings or the etsy app.

[LaRenaissanceGirl]

Wow, what a beautiful shop! Your products are gorgeous, and I was instantly calmed by browsing through. I read your shop's story too, what a lovely well thought out shop. I just sent you a message inquiring about a sold-out item that caught my eye in the reviews. Hopefully that helps bring your message average back up a little. I don't get that many messages either, and Etsy glitches can be really frustrating. P.S. Hi from a fellow San Diegan! 

[LCPSoapAndCandleCo]

Thank you for your kindness! 

[LCPSoapAndCandleCo]

Thank you for your support and kindness!

[mommawhazelsquilts]

@LaRenaissanceGirl 

Sadly, it takes 19 answered messages to 1 unanswered.

[PrimFun]

You may be able to contact Etsy with the question about the delay of the message.  You did not get an orange dot?  Your mail does not indicate you have new messages?  Mine runs along the left hand corner when new comes in.  If the orange dot was not present then ask Etsy to look into it.

Also what browser and OS system you have may contribute to the issue.  Also you may want to replace the cookie with a new one.

[LCPSoapAndCandleCo]

Thank you for your advice! I contacted Etsy twice about this. I have never had an issue before and I am in my shop constantly. Their advice was to do better, clear my cache,  and set up an auto-reply. Then, contact this group for more advice however there is nothing they can do about it. I must say though, this group has been wonderful and supportive so I am glad I am here!

[LCPSoapAndCandleCo]

This is the problem, especially for those of us who only get a few messages. I have had many messages today, from groups where I am a member, and from sellers describing their issues with this metric. And, I have had many sellers supporting me with these challenging issues. I am proud to be part of this forum. Great folks! I have been a SS since its inception and it never dawned on me how the percentages deal an unfair hand to smaller or newer shops! I am a small shop myself but have been blessed with consistent sales, visits, and reviews. I push and push. 

[LCPSoapAndCandleCo]

I do believe SS is important if only in that it keeps us from being complacent. Our customers, or potential customers deserve the same attention as if they were walking into our Brick and Mortars. We don't see the face, the smile or share the exchange of a greeting. The least we can do is give them the gratitude and value for their patronage.