Star Seller info incorrect because 3 items were hand delivered

[WestFlatsCollections]

My star seller info is incorrect because I sold 3 items locally, and so hand delivered them to the buyer. Of course there is no tracking info for these and that is keeping me from a near perfect delivery score. I was thrilled to be able to hand deliver these all to the same buyer, because one item was particularly fragile and heavy. The buyer was very pleased with the purchases. And I delivered them all on the date that was convenient for the buyer. There is a record of this in my messages. How do I get this Star Seller rating corrected. Seems wrong that I should be penalized for good customer service.

[bradgoodell · Accepted solution]

Sorry, no, it is not incorrect.  Star Seller clearly states that hand-delivery doesn't count towards Star Seller.  It's unfortunate, yes.  But Etsy will not change your score.  

[audreytherese · Accepted solution]

Etsy has been clear that hand delivered orders do not meet the SS requirements. They require tracking. 

[BagmakerSupply · Accepted solution]

@WestFlatsCollections: "Star Seller info incorrect because 3 items were hand delivered" Unfortunately the Star Seller stats are correct. If you have not yet done so, you might want to read https://help.etsy.com/hc/en-us/articles/360000338067-How-to-Offer-Local-Pickup-or-Delivery?segment=s...

Will local pickup orders be part of my evaluation for a Star Seller badge?

All physical listing orders must include a valid tracking number or a shipping label purchased on Etsy to be considered for a Star Seller badge. At this time, we’re unable to make exceptions for local pickup orders.

This also applies to delivery orders.

[NanaLetha · Accepted solution]

Your star seller rating is correct. You did not mail with tracking.

[GlassyFields · Accepted solution]

Etsy star seller counts hand delivery as a package w/o tracking.

I too have occasional local pick-ups and deliveries.

If you want these to count for star seller purposes, send a thank-you note and use that for the tracking.

I've thought about this, but I suspect that if Etsy allowed a local pick-up or hand-delivered option it would become a loophole that unscrupulous sellers could use to game the system.

Another option would be to handle local sales outside of Etsy.

[WestFlatsCollections · Accepted solution]

I'll try that...sending the thank you note as tracking in the future. But can I do that now will those previous ones.. probably not. Understand what you are saying. Appreciate your answer.

[JDTotesnDolls · Accepted solution]

Hand delivery is also dangerous.  There have been articles about people being hurt, robbed  and even one death due to hand delivery.    

[RustyCrustyRepurpose · Accepted solution]

The concern becomes (for Etsy) that there’s no way for them to know for sure that the item was indeed delivered. 

[WestFlatsCollections · Accepted solution]

The buyer did give me a "Terrific" rating. Would not think he'd have done that if I had not delivered the items.

[audreytherese · Accepted solution]

There are millions of sellers here. 

It states in the SS program that they do not make exceptions to their tracking requirement. Etsy is not going to hire people to check reviews in order to manually override the SS metrics that are automatically generated. 

[JDTotesnDolls · Accepted solution]

@WestFlatsCollections   Doesn't matter.  The buyer can turn around and say they never got the item.  Etsy will refund and then seek recoupment from you.  There is no seller protection for hand delivery.

[artbyjocelyn · Accepted solution]

You'll have to just accept that you won't attain star seller if local by hand delivery is a common circumstance for your shop.

[GalleryAntiques · Accepted solution]

It is correct, I also lost it this month because a buyer wanted to collect their order and it was over £10 (UK orders over £10 require a tracking number to be added when completing the order). I knew I would lose it, and that was my choice. In respect to your question, there is nothing for Etsy Support to "correct" you chose to hand deliver them, and as a consequence, you have no tracking number to upload to the completed order, which means the loss of SSP until you (and I) get the rate back up to the minimum % level.

You may not like that, but it is a lesson learned I expect.

[WestFlatsCollections]

I want to assure everyone that I do accept Etsy's position on this. It was an interesting and informative discussion. I have had only one local delivery and was very cautious about it, checking the buyer's profile, having someone accompanying me at the delivery etc. And because the main piece (1 of a 3 item order) was a very fragile, very heavy, very rare ethnic art piece, I was very happy to hand deliver it to the collector who was a lovely person. Thanks to all comments for information.