message response rates

[AlwaysWantedOne]

I just realized you do not count responses to buyer offers as a response to a first time inquiry. So even though a new customer sends an offer of $48, and I counter back at $50 (through the online Etsy platform bc as you should know you currently do not facilitate responses to best offers through the Etsy Seller App), you show the initial offer as never having been responded to. So I just had to go back in and follow my counter which I could only do online, with a separate message through the app saying "Does that work?" which now makes me look desperate. And I am especially unhappy as I also therefore just relized why my shop has failed on the message response rate metric numerous times in the past (and then I get a dumb email telling ME to do better), which has also precluded us from Star Seller status. Before you 'cuse me . . . take a look at yo'self . .  Can you please make this right? Like fall on your sword and make a public apology that those of us who are metric "failures," who didn't receive Star Seller treatment SOLELY bc Etsy's own technical crap, well in reality, we are the [your editbot would not allow me to use the common parliance for excrement]? But seriously, you have wrongfully denied a boat load of sellers the perks of star seller status, which hurts our sales, and damages a lot of small businesses. This sounds like a potential class action if you ask me (and feel free to bc I spent 20 years doing that type of litigation).

[TheVelvetPrincess]

Also if another seller emails on etsy shop emails you have to be the one responding to the last message or it dings you. 

[PristinityJewelry]

@TheVelvetPrincess 

I'm not understanding your explanation.

But NO, you do not have to be the last to respond to an ongoing message thread.

If the same inquirer starts a new, separate message thread, than yes, it needs to be responded to.

[vintageNCtreasures]

@TheVelvetPrincess 
You don't have to be the last one responding to a message thread.
If that was the case, replying would NEVER end.

You only have to reply to the initial message within 24 hrs.
If the person sends you 5 new messages you do have to reply to all 5 messages.

How to Track Your Progress Toward Becoming a Star Seller – Etsy Help

The Message response rate only applies to the first message in a thread with a buyer. 

To help keep track of messages you should prioritize for Star Seller metrics, notification badges are displayed on messages when: 

• A buyer’s first time contacting you
• You receive a new help with order request

Both of these types of messages need to be responded to in 24 hours to be counted positively toward your Star Seller score.

[NanaLetha]

@TheVelvetPrincess  emails have nothing at all to do with message response rate.

[FallenAngelBrass]

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@AlwaysWantedOne wrote:

This sounds like a potential class action if you ask me (and feel free to bc I spent 20 years doing that type of litigation).

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When we sign the terms of service on Etsy, we agree not to join class action lawsuits:

B. Class and Representative Action Waiver. You and Etsy agree that each of us may bring claims against the other only on an individual basis, and not on a class, representative, or collective basis (and we each waive any right we have to bring such claims). We each may only seek or obtain individualised relief, and, except as provided in Section 11.F (Batch Arbitration), disputes between us can't be arbitrated or consolidated with those of any other person or entity. If there is a final decision (after exhaustion of all appeals) that any part of this Section 11.B is unenforceable as to a particular claim or request for relief (e.g., public injunctive relief), then solely that particular claim or request for relief shall be severed from the arbitration and may be litigated in court (but only after the arbitrator issues an award on the arbitrable claims and remedies).

[TBQSC]

Sorry for your misunderstanding of the SS Messaging Badge requirements!  Set up an auto reply message ... problem solved!

Both temporary and weekly auto replies are only sent in response to the first message a shopper sends you, and count as a reply towards your Star Seller messaging score.  Auto-replies can only be managed on Etsy.com and not the Etsy Seller app.

https://help.etsy.com/hc/en-us/articles/115015654988-How-to-Send-Messages-to-Buyers?segment=selling