Star Seller - Shipping criteria issues

[ecomum]

I've been shipping on time for the near decade i've been selling on Etsy.   Now I'm having my star seller status down graded because I offer my domestic customers letter mail shipping rates on some items -- which are half of what non-tracked parcel rates would be if I purchase the labels through Etsy.   There's no tracking purchased (though I offer upgrades if people want that), so automatically each sale that makes a customer happy lowers my "shipping rating".

Also, sometimes when a buyer makes two orders and I ship them together, the software doesn't always recognize or accept the duplicate tracking number that I enter in both orders.

Any ideas for a work around on that? 

I can either offer my customers what they want (lower costs) or I can keep Etsy's algorithm happy by cutting even more into my break even margins and subsidizing shipping costs to include tracking.   I've voiced this concern in the survey, but doesn't seem to reach anywhere that makes a difference.

[BagmakerSupply]

There are numerous threads about this and no real resolution. I'm not sure of the dollar amount, but does not Etsy 'require' tracking on orders of $15.00 CAN or larger? Fair or not those are the rules for Star Seller. As to your other point, we often combine multiple orders into a single shipment and have not seen any issues with Etsy accepting the same tracking number on multiple orders.

[Arcalliq]

This is the problem for great majority of sellers outside US and just one of many reasons the programme is completely ignored by many sellers as unfair and discriminatory. 

[audreytherese]

Unfortunately since you are in Canada, from what I hear the shipping is working against you. I personally would choose to make the customers happy. I haven't made star seller once since it started, and likely won't ever get it, yet I'm having my best year yet (even while half my listings are currently down as I've been doing in-person events, but sales on the remaining ones are still up). 

[HtoHdesign · Accepted solution]

Hey There!

For the star seller on-time tracking, we require to have all physical orders to have a valid/trackable tracking number. For CAD currency sellers it only requires tracking for orders $15 and above before discount, shipping, tax, and other fees. If you input a tracking number that is not trackable on the carrier website and on our tracking partner Aftership it will be tagged as invalid.

In combining orders, sellers need to add the tracking number for the package to each order when they’re shipping two or more orders to the same person in one package. Also, make sure to mark all orders from that buyer complete on the same day.

We understand some things can impact scores that might be out of control, and/or mistakes can happen. We have taken this into account making the percentage reach 95% instead of 100%. Star Seller is not a disciplinary program and sellers will not be penalized for low scores. Additionally, having the badge doesn't give sellers an edge over other sellers in search ranking.

Thanks!

[CarpetCollectionAU]

@HtoHdesign This is the first time I have seen an Etsy Specialist use the "Aftership" word

 "and on our tracking partner Aftership"

Would you be kind enough to advise where we can find any reference to "Aftership" in the Help  Center Information or "House Rules"  Documentation?

Also, what is the point of the SSP if it is not "disciplinary" or "advantageous"?

To use your words "Star Seller is not a disciplinary program and sellers will not be penalized for low scores. Additionally, having the badge doesn't give sellers an edge over other sellers in search ranking.