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Time for everyone's favorite evening show, Squish's Opinions: Etsy Reviews Edition! 
In case you weren't aware, Etsy is kinda poo about reviews.
Anything less than 5 stars is a negative mark against the seller, and could have serious repercussions.
In case you weren't aware, Etsy is kinda poo about reviews.
Anything less than 5 stars is a negative mark against the seller, and could have serious repercussions.
Etsy isn't Amazon, and indie sellers aren't sending out millions of product.
Every single review really, really counts.
Reviews aren't specific to the item either (even though it shows it next to the item); all reviews go towards a total "score" for the shop.
Every single review really, really counts.
Reviews aren't specific to the item either (even though it shows it next to the item); all reviews go towards a total "score" for the shop.
Etsy does not necessarily care about your review of the intricacies of a specific product.
They treat your review as a review of the shop as a whole.
They use your review as a metric to promote or punish stores, not really to give insight into individual products.
They treat your review as a review of the shop as a whole.
They use your review as a metric to promote or punish stores, not really to give insight into individual products.
Let's say you order a dongle, and the shape just REALLY doesn't work for you.
So you leave a 3-star review.
Etsy doesn't care that the -2 stars is for very personal reasons on this one product that may not pertain to all.
All they see is 3-stars = subpar = subpar store.
So you leave a 3-star review.
Etsy doesn't care that the -2 stars is for very personal reasons on this one product that may not pertain to all.
All they see is 3-stars = subpar = subpar store.
Especially with something as subjective as sex toys, not every product is going to work for every body.
And just because a shape or firmness doesn't work for you personally doesn't mean the shop itself is a bad shop, much less that it deserves to be punished.
And just because a shape or firmness doesn't work for you personally doesn't mean the shop itself is a bad shop, much less that it deserves to be punished.
A good analogy may be this.
You've never bought a shirt from a shop before. It's handmade, so you're not 100% sure on sizing. It says it's made of an elastane blend, but you're not super sure what that means...
Whatever, it looks really cool, you like it, so you order it!
You've never bought a shirt from a shop before. It's handmade, so you're not 100% sure on sizing. It says it's made of an elastane blend, but you're not super sure what that means...
Whatever, it looks really cool, you like it, so you order it!
Item arrives and...
Oh. It's a little bit smaller than you expected, a little too short for your body. The shape's not quite right for your dimensions either. It's stretchy, which is cool, but the fabric is really smooth and you just don't like the texture.
Oh. It's a little bit smaller than you expected, a little too short for your body. The shape's not quite right for your dimensions either. It's stretchy, which is cool, but the fabric is really smooth and you just don't like the texture.
You look back at the listing and notice it's lidted as a crop top, says it's only 25" long, and runs a little small compared to name brands.
You look up the fabric and realize it's not really something for you; you'd probably have preferred cotton for this shirt.
You look up the fabric and realize it's not really something for you; you'd probably have preferred cotton for this shirt.
Pretty bummed, tbh. You were excited for this, and it's super cool looking, but you know you're not going to wear it much.
Everything else about the transaction went smoothly. Accurate pictures, accurate listing, good communication from the seller, good shipping, quality item...
Everything else about the transaction went smoothly. Accurate pictures, accurate listing, good communication from the seller, good shipping, quality item...
So, you want to leave a review.
You could dock a couple stars because the shirt didn't quite fit you, and you didn't like the fabric.
But, and this is a very important but, it was pretty much exactly as listed, and your experience with the store itself was good.
You could dock a couple stars because the shirt didn't quite fit you, and you didn't like the fabric.
But, and this is a very important but, it was pretty much exactly as listed, and your experience with the store itself was good.
So, is it fair to punish the store because the size and fabric didn't work for you?
Obviously I'm biased, but methinks the answer is "no."
Peeps don't always look at the whole review. When they repeatedly see less than 5 stars as they scroll, it doesn't leave a good impression.
Obviously I'm biased, but methinks the answer is "no."
Peeps don't always look at the whole review. When they repeatedly see less than 5 stars as they scroll, it doesn't leave a good impression.
What you should do is rate your impression of the store. Leave an honest review of the quality, your interactions, shipping, etc.
AND, it would be cool to mention your personal experience with the item. That may help those who read the whole review make an informed decision.
AND, it would be cool to mention your personal experience with the item. That may help those who read the whole review make an informed decision.
If you had unresolved issues with the seller, shipping, or quality... Yeah, maybe dock some points, dependent on the severity, and note why in your review!
But, just giving a low rating because something very specific didn't work for you personally isn't very fair to the seller.
But, just giving a low rating because something very specific didn't work for you personally isn't very fair to the seller.
Everyone is obviously entitled to their opinion, so this is just my hot take as a seller (and as a buyer as well).
Maybe it'll offer some insight!
Thank y'all for working your way through my rambling!
Maybe it'll offer some insight!
Thank y'all for working your way through my rambling!
Oh, tl;dr:
Please don't give less than 5 stars on an Etsy review unless there was an issue with the seller, shipping, or quality.
It really, actively hurts sellers, both on a tangible professional level and on a personal one.
Please don't give less than 5 stars on an Etsy review unless there was an issue with the seller, shipping, or quality.
It really, actively hurts sellers, both on a tangible professional level and on a personal one.
