Star Seller problems

[GoofiesMuseum]

There was some sore of glitch on April 1 and I didn't get a star seller becuase of it. That's unfair. Customer sent a "help request" for using a gift card, but there was no problem on my end with the gift and I shipped the product immediately indicating upon shipment that the order went through. Somehow I give EXCELLENT customer service and got dinged for not using the messaging system to resolve.

I can't stand the "Star Seller" program for so many reasons, like the one above where I resolved the issue sending an email with the the tracking information, but ETSY wanted me to use their messaging system. Crazy that they can't document their own two methods for sending communications to customers.

Anyway I have more beefs about the Star seller program:

#1: Sometimes another seller writes me a message. They're soliciting ME and it goes towards my "customer service points." That's not fair. We end up in an endless loop of communications because neither seller wants to be "dinged"
#2: I turned off my store for a vacation and a glitch happens and left my store on! Then someone asks me a question, I was on vacation and checked. That was another instance where I got dinged. I guess you can't answer a question when you're on vacation? I wasn't near my inventory. So unfair.
#3: Why does the star system reset after every month? That's ridiculous.

[GoofiesMuseum]

Irritating that I can't correct my typos

[CappuccinoLace]

the arrow at the right of your post, drops down a menu where you have 1 hr to edit your post.

[ChristmasIsLove]

You can disagree with the rules all you want, but they are not going to change. EVERY INITIAL MESSAGE (whether from a buyer or seller) MUST HAVE A REPLY OR BE MARKED AS SPAM WITHIN 24 HOURS. Help Requests are separate messages and must be addressed as a separate message. The rules are explained right on your Star Seller dashboard. If you choose not to abide by them and argue with them instead, you won't get Star Seller status. It's pretty simple.

When in vacation mode, you can set up a message to send automatically to anyone who makes an inquiry. Apparently, you chose not to do that.

[bradgoodell · Accepted solution]

Etsy's Star Seller for messages has a very simple requirement:  All NEW messages require action, either a reply or sent to SPAM.  Help Requests, messages from other sellers, whatever.  You can set up auto-reply, which will guarantee all messages are responded to within the time constrains.  

Sorry you were blindsided by this.  Good luck.

[CatsWhiskersCurios]

You could answer all these questions by simply reading the star seller rules that have been in your shop manager for nearly 2 years.