What is going on with the star seller criteria?

[EternalRestCrosses]

So after many many months of 5 star reviews and star seller status, I had a customer purchase an item and leave me a two star review claiming they were unhappy with the size (dimensions are in the title and listing details) and unhappy that an accessory was not included. The first sentence in almost every one of my posts reads in all capital letters PLEASE READ ENTIRE DESCRIPTION. 

My reviews are few and far between, however they are always 5 stars and good reviews. How is it possible and why is it allowed that 1 review can eliminate eligibility? The week I got a two star, I also had 3 five star reviews yet, that took me below 4.8 rating. 

Etsy, when reporting a review why is there not an option for other? You allow a review complaining about a size of an item ordered, and they were sent the ordered size. 

in 3 years on Etsy, I’ve generated over $120,000 in sales. That’s a lot of money for everyone. How about taking care of the businesses that give Etsy a good name and address these unfair review issues. 

Furthermore, this 2 star review is showing up at the top of my reviews for an entirely different item/listing. Again why? 

why isn’t there an easy way to contact customer service regarding issues like this? 

[TheVintagePineapple]

''...why is there not an option for other?''

Because hundreds of sellers would choose 'other' to report hundreds of reviews that were 4 stars and under?

''why isn’t there an easy way to contact customer service regarding issues like this?''

Again, because hundreds of sellers would contact customer service regarding issues like that.  Issues like that are the kind that sellers need to deal with themselves.

[bradgoodell]

1. Reviews are opinions.  Buyers are entitled to their opinions, even if we don't always appreciate them.
2. Etsy has a very small list of reasons they removed reviews.  Your review doesn't qualify.  No, customer service cannot and will not remove the review.
3. Did you contact the buyer before leaving your reply?  You may have been able to work something out with the buyer.  Sometimes good customer service will get a buyer to change their review.  
4. Your 2 star is highlighted because of the way Etsy ranks reviews.  Etsy ranks them according to the amount of information they give future buyers.  A review with no words ranks low.  A long, detailed review ranks higher.  Reviews that sellers respond to rank higher still.  At least future buyers will know to read the description.  Small consolation, sorry.
5. Star Seller is meaningless and gives shops no real advantage.  Give it time, and this too shall pass.

Sorry this has happened to you.

[SadiesHome]

Hi there!  Don’t quote me, but it takes something like 18-20 five star reviews to make up for a lower star review according to star seller metrics.  This is somewhat unrelated but Etsy is currently trying to retain their buyer base as they are getting fewer returning buyers overall.  They are working on improving their site’s reputation, but in my opinion taking the cheap and easy way (pointless star seller, refunding immediately, placing lower star reviews higher, etc).  Of course it would serve them better to weed out shops that are reselling, improve the actual site, make the search functional, lol!  So that’s kind of why they’re doing this stupid sh1t.  When I’m shopping on Etsy, I always completely forget to even think about star seller (and I know what it is!), and I’m sure it’s the same for the vast majority of buyers.  4.8/5 is a great score and your products are beautifully made.

[cindylouwho2]

@SadiesHome that's the old system that treated a 4 star like a 1 star. Now it is just straight average. 

[cindylouwho2]

"How is it possible and why is it allowed that 1 review can eliminate eligibility?" - it is basic arithmetic. By my calculation, your average review score for the October-December window was 4.64, and you need 4.8 to get the badge. 

If you get more 5 star reviews this month than the 3 that you got in October, you have a shot at getting the badge for February. 

Pro tip: In the future, remember that review responses should be written with future customers in mind, not your own perspective. Also, buyers are less likely to be confused if the first photo shows only what the listing offers for sale. If you make those stands, consider offering them as a variation on the listing, so the buyer is more likely to realize that they are not included unless purchased. Write the description as if there are no photos, and compose the photos as if there is no description. 

[Lionfishvintage]

Yep. Star seller is meaningless and frankly , do the buyers looking at our shops really care about it anyway? 

My shop was on vacation for about 5 weeks and E removed my star seller status because i had no sales during that time. So a seller can't go on vacation? 

It doesn't matter to me anymore cause in the end, my customers are happy and that's what counts.

[audreytherese]

There has always been a minimum criteria of number of sales and dollars (or relative currency) during each period to be eligible. 

Can you go on vacation? Absolutely!

Will it effect your eligibility? Possibly. Depends on the length and if your sales during the rest of the 3 month period were enough to carry you through. 

Like the average that this post is about, this part of the program comes down to basic math. 

[audreytherese]

Oh, and no, I don't believe most buyers really care about it or even have any idea of what it is. 

[OmasFabricStash]

There are consumer laws that Etsy has to follow, businesses can’t take down reviews just because they don’t like them. There are only a few specific reasons to legally take reviews down.