Star seller/on time shipping/ first class stamp

[SteinerStudio]

I send greeting cards in envelopes with a first class stamp....there is no tracking.  I get "missing tracking information" demerits because the stamps do not have tracking info.  I cant seem to get to star seller because of this.  I ship everything on time and use tracking for all packages. 

What can I do about first class stamp tracking?

Thank you,

Judy

[FallenAngelBrass · Accepted solution]

Every dispatch requires tracking for star seller, so every dispatch without it will count against your total.  In-person delivery and first class letters have no tracking, so star seller reads those as a "no."  It is what it is. 

[AnniebelloPaper]

You are in the US so have access to the not-tracked-but-counts-as-tracked-for-SSP letter labels through Etsy labels. If you want to spend the extra, or have your buyers pay it, that's an option you have. Those of us in other countries without the benefit of cheap shipping have to either gouge our buyers for tracked shipping ... or don't let the SSP dictate how we run our shops.

Having great products, providing good customer service and getting the order to the buyer safely and on time should be all that is required. Tracked shipping, order numbers and revenue raising for Etsy (via fees and label purchasing) should have nothing to do with being a star seller. 

[ArtDollsbyJD]

The seller can use Etsy labels letter/flats which is the same cost as a stamp.    It also meets the SSP program.

In other countries you can send items under a certain amount without tracking and still maintain SSP.  For AU it is $15 AUD.  So in a way otther countries get a break US does not get.

[AnniebelloPaper]

@ArtDollsbyJD US sellers have access to the letter rate labels which count as tracked for the SSP. It is an affordable option for tracking.

Non-US shops do not have that option. Probably why Etsy set a minimum limit for providing tracking. Unfortunately, that limit is so low, it's pretty much unworkable. 

The only labels Etsy provides for me in Australia is parcel post ... at nearly AUD$10. On a AUD$15 order, that's too much to ask domestic buyers to pay. I can post the majority of my orders $15+ as letters at a third the price. 

Seeing as the letter rate is not actually tracked, it's more proof that the SSP tracking metric isn't about customer service. It's about adding more to Etsy's bottom line (label purchasing and increased fees from shipping).

[CraftyCraftsCorners]

Buy your postage on Etsy from Etsy which will cost you more, so then you will have to charge Your customers more. Outcome is Etsy get more money for their coffers your end up with Bigger Bill and Less money and possible Less customers more lost monies.  All for trying to get a Stars. I see it as Etsy gouging their Customers us the Sellers, and in turn we are suppose to pass it on to our Customers in some way. I do not Buy any Postage off of Etsy at all, not even Tracking when i need it. : )

[ArtDollsbyJD]

Ship via letter on Etsy.  It's about the same as a stamp.  Maybe 5 cents more.  If your item qualifies for letter.  Not everything does.  You can send as a flat which costs slightly more but less than a package.

In the US you need to use Etsy labels for flats/letters to qualify for SSP.  The message of the program is important but not the badge so if you still do well meeting the criteria standards just continue to use stamps.

I would think a single stamp insufficient to protect a card.  Most sellers I buy cards from use protective sleeves and bigger envelopes to protect the cards.  That would be worth a higher cost that would still be lower than sending the item as a package.  Also your cards may be heavier than most with seeds in them.  Have you checked the weight?

[TheOldBarnDoor]

@ArtDollsbyJD   To add to the post above, if you are in any other country other than the US and choose to list in US $ , the minimum amount without tracking is a moot point - you are treated like a US shop.  Star Seller status and all its fancy perks are out of reach of many sellers and creates and unlevel playing field.  The OP does have a solution however many other sellers do not (sadly)

Virtually none of my buyers will pay $10-$12 US shipping cost for tracking for a $4 or $5 postcard from Canada (they have told me so)  Sure I could list in CDN dollars to make it convenient for me however I always put the customer first and a large percentage of my customers are US based.  While Etsy may think I'm not a star seller because I don't use tracking, my customers certainly do and that is what matters - until Etsy starts giving value added perks to Star Sellers, I'll limp along without the little purple star.  

[nemeton]

I'm the same, I use stamps for the vast majority of my items so I'm never going to be a star seller. I'll survive.