Star Seller

[TablescapesbyDonna]

I had one message that I didn't respond to because they posted nothing - they didn't ask a question just posted one of my sold listings. Because I never replied because they didn't ask anything, my star seller rating for message response dropped from 100% to 89%!!! This doesn't make sense! Why such a drop for missing ONE message????????

[CryzalisMasksUK]

Although not fair, you have to respond to every new incoming message, whether it requires a reply or not. 

[WitticismsRus]

"This doesn't make sense! Why such a drop for missing ONE message????????"

It's basic math averages. 

Total number of messages you responded to on time divided by the total number of messages you received.

So if you received say 5 messages within the review period but didn't respond to 1 then your percentage would be 4/5 = 0.8 or 80%

If you don't receive many messages then missing one will have a greater impact. 

[Natalya1905]

This has been a SS program requirement since day 1: either reply to each first incoming message or mark as spam.

"Know what counts
- Reply to the first message within 24 hours
- Only the first message in a new thread, not ongoing convos
- Auto-replies that you set up when you’re unavailable

Messages from Etsy and spam don’t count"

https://www.etsy.com/starseller#:~:text=Here%20are%20the%20targets%20you,over%20the%20past%20three%2... 

[SugarTaffySoap]

@TablescapesbyDonna   Can you place the (listing photo/non-message) in your Spam folder?

[TablescapesbyDonna]

So my rating has further decreased even though I have responded to all other new messages. It went from 89% to 83% in just 5 days. This is ridiculous! 

[BagmakerSupply]

@TablescapesbyDonna: "It went from 89% to 83% in just 5 days." This is a result of the math involved, and that on February 1st the review period has changed - you probably now have fewer Messages being considered (November new Message threads are no longer being counted as of the 1st).

[TastefulArtisan]

Others have explained the math so I'll just say that I've gotten messages like that with no text. I simply reply and ask them if I can help them with something or did have any questions about the item.

This almost always turns into a sale so it's an opportunity to show your CS skills and maybe get the sale. Since Etsy glitches sometimes with words entered into boxes, I don't just ignore it. And if SS is that important, it also meets the requirements. I think there is another seller who knows the number of messages you have to reply to in order to make up for one missed or ignored message. It's 19? I can't remember which seller but for some reason 19 sticks in my head.

Sorry this happened to you.