Why is the message response rate from another Seller counted as a Star Seller of my Etsy shop?

[Dandyjoy]

I am Etsy Seller and also Etsy buyer as well. I was bought stuff from Etsy shop and I got auto message response from the seller after my package was shipped, and I didn't respond to it back. Otherwise, I always responded to my customers' questions within 24 hours, and I figured out why I wasn't getting my Star Seller status and what I was doing wrong. I checked my star seller budgets and saw that I am not yet earning the star seller status because I had one message that received a response after 24 hours from another Etsy seller I bought from. Then, I answered with a greeting and thank you, and they responded with the same thing. What should I do? because I don't have anything to say back.

[Vintorious · Accepted solution]

Only the first message reply is counted: subsequent messages in the same convo aren't used to calculate your response rate.

[Dandyjoy]

Oh Thank you so much! I think I'll set up an auto reply massage as well.

[TheVintagePineapple · Accepted solution]

How to Become a Star Seller – Etsy Help

''The Message response rate only applies to the first message in a thread. Initial messages from both buyers and sellers on Etsy are counted towards the Message response rate.''

If the message is spam or a scam, it also needs to be marked as spam within the time frame.

[BluKatDesign]

It is counted because there is no way to really know if it is a customer or a seller messaging you. It is goofy but you need to respond or mark as  spam on the first message.

[BootifulLabels]

The rules clearly state that ALL new message threads require a response within 24 hrs.  The SS system is fully automated.  The filter simply compares the receipt and response stamps for each new message.  If the gap is more than 24hrs, you get a ding. 

If you don't want your purchasing activity to mess up your SS chances, simply create a new buyer only account and keep the two activities separate.  Easy peasy.

[audreytherese]

Because a message is a message is a message. 

Etsy does not distinguish messages from shops you have bought from, shops your are thinking to buy from, people that have bought from you, people thinking to buy from you, or your friends saying hi. A message is a message. 

[audreytherese · Accepted solution]

"Then, I answered with a greeting and thank you, and they responded with the same thing. What should I do? because I don't have anything to say back."

You don't have to say anything back unless they somehow started a new message thread (it'd be blue). You don't need to get the last word, you only need to respond to the first message within 24 hours. 

[AAANativeArts]

This program is over two years old. It says right on the Star Seller page that you have to either 1)Answer ALL messages or 2)Mark as Spam. It doesn't matter what the message is about. I frequently get messages from new sellers on the forum that want me to give them a private shop review. I have to answer those with something, too.