So angry with Etsy! Why do I get kicked off of Star Seller when a buyer opts for local pick up?

[BonjourDuBois]

I thought I'd found that Etsy had fixed this issue when I saw a section to complete on the orders tab for in person delivery.  Of course there is no tracking information in this case.  I refunded my buyer's shipping costs since she lives near me.  I hand delivered the item on time and now Etsy dings me!  I hate this!  It really sucks!!!!

[VintageRescueSquad]

The rules are very clear. Look at the second question here:

https://www.etsy.com/starseller

"Adding tracking to all physical orders is one of the criteria for Star Seller if you’re in the US. If you mark an order as complete without adding tracking, it does not meet the requirement for Star Seller."

[BootifulLabels]

What is allowed in the general order process and what is required if you want to be a Star Seller are two different things.  If you wish to allow pickups that is fine as a general rule, but if you want SS, it will count against you.  You may just have to decide what is more important, making your buyer happy, or getting a badge that has no significant advantage.

[DragonflyDreams1]

That generalization may not be completely correct. While I am not sure if star seller has no significant advantage, the components of star seller definitely do. Timely shipping and shop reviews are factored into quality score which is important.

As a side note when a competing shop lost star seller my sales went up significantly while theirs dropped. There are too many other potential factors to say that was the cause for certain. I would do my best to maintain star seller if possible. I do not accept local delivery or pick-up but that is more for insurance purposes. 

[hopeandjoystudios]

If you have enough non tracked orders that Etsy thinks you should have shipped with tracking, besides shop score and listing placement,you risk getting a payment reserve slapped on your shop. I doubt one would do it but there is a magic number that sets off their reserve bot. So it is not really all just about  SS. If they can't get you in line with the carrot, you get the stick.

[WitticismsRus]

Etsy is pretty clear about how local pick up and delivery and Star Seller criteria 

https://help.etsy.com/hc/en-us/articles/4403058372503-How-to-Become-a-Star-Seller?segment=selling

"What if I offer local pick-up or delivery for my items?

At this time, orders that don't have tracking because they are delivered or picked up in person will be considered shipped without tracking, and will not meet the Star Seller criteria for shipping. "

[NoraJewelsDesign]

The same thing has happened to me and they temporarily suspended my account. I tried sending them my email as they requested but it didn't go through. Thankfully, it is working again now!

I'm new in Etsy, any suggestions to improve my sales? I feel like it's so slow. P.S I'm not selling internationally.. just within the U.S

[hopeandjoystudios]

@NoraJewelsDesign Unless you saw your shop with a suspended banner it was probably a scammer since you are new. Etsy does not need your email..they already HAVE it. Be aware you may be getting fake Etsy support emails about reverifying your account etc. They are a SCAM wanting your banking info or CC info. Etsy also will never tell you you have to have X amount in your "etsy account" or bank account. Etsy does not request money.. They start with an email request then the scam is afoot. BE AWARE.  Etsy verifications are done through your dashboard not via email.

[Adorabilities]

As long as you don't allow pickup very often, you should be okay. One out of every 20 orders can be without tracking.

[myclearstamps]

That's terrible.  Delivering in person and returning shipping does make you a star seller!!! Don't get frustrated unfortunately, you have to play by their crazy rules.  

So you might want to look at adding the square feature.  I have added but don't use it.  It also gives you a debit card and a free reader.  It is supposed to link to your Etsy site but seems to have some glitches.   

I will be going back to that in a little while.  Unfortunately, due to some bad things that happened to me, I have not been able to keep up with everything like I would normally.

Don't get mad go make some more money!!!

[SVGRox]

Playing by the rules would mean not delivering by hand and citing Etsy does not allow it as the reason. It would only make sense if you were a high volume seller getting lots of reviews otherwise it could take a few months to get the star seller back which would affect your sales

[NancyQstudio]

The Star system is a very basic program and Etsy is an online retail site.  I've lost the star for delivering local orders.  How I've handled this situation is by encouraging local buyers to make direct sales.  Of course a sale made on Etsy needs to be processed on their site.  But all future orders can be done differently after meeting with a customer.  Over time this helped and the star was awarded again.  

[CraftyCornishMaids]

The buyer didn't opt for local pickup, there is no option for that for a buyer to choose,

You decided you would do the delivery

SS needs tracking

some sellers don't send with tracking, because of the expense, some sellers deliver, because it's cheaper, both options ding the SS, as it's a risk to Etsy.

It's the sellers choice, what is more important to them