It has always worked this way, since the program started almost a year ago. The system is automated, the computer program simply takes the time and date the message was received and compares it to the time and date responded to. It is up to us to ensure we action every new message, regardless of whether it comes from a buyer, a fellow seller, or any other source. You have four options.
1. Set autoreply to respond to all new messages to let buyers now when to expect a direct response. You can only set this for up to five days at a time, then you need to reset it.
2. Create a snippet for duplicate messages along the lines of "answered in previous thread". It takes only three clicks to open the snippet list, select the right snippet and send the reply.
3. Mark messages related to purchases as spam. Or better still use a buyer only ID for purchasing instead of your selling ID.
4. Answer every new message you receive, that is what is required for the program. Etsy even prompts us with a blue warning on new messages that they need a response.
Of all the requirements for Star Seller, this last one is the one we can completely control. It's a do it yourself thing. Etsy is not going to do it for you, nor will they change their decisions because of what is basically your mistake.
