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Customer left a bad review after ordering without looking at the listing description/images? I have good news…

★★ signal-medium   r/etsysellers  ·  ↑ 218  ·  💬 42  ·  2025-07-29  ·  kw: buy box price  ·  open on reddit ↗
your rating:
Tool
Etsy
Issue
Customers leave 1-star reviews after ordering without reading listing descriptions or images, causing shop rating damage (e.g., new seller received 2 nasty reviews that 'tanked' emotions and rating), with no recourse until discovering Etsy's buyer policy violation reporting mechanism.
Cost
unstated
Recommendation
Report negative reviews citing 'Objectionable Language' option with message 'Customer obviously did not read item description prior to ordering, in breach of Etsy buyer policy' (removal success varies by assigned Etsy agent)
Date context
Etsy updated Buyers 'House Rules' June 10, 2025; policy enforcement appears recent as of July 29, 2025
extracted with
anthropic/claude-haiku-4.5 · 2026-05-08

Body

I was recently made aware that it is against the Etsy buyer policy to order without reading the listing description (which makes perfect sense unless actively trying to gamble with disappointing oneself), and recently had a terrible customer who obviously didn’t even read the full title of the listing, and made multiple assumptions about the product (custom pillow case - she was mad that it didn’t come with a pillow, and was also mad that the example color splash image wasn’t included with her custom text, even though above the personalization box I have a disclaimer that it’s just for example to show full color capability). Anyway, so she didn’t reach out via messenger prior to leaving a 1 star review, listing things about the order which are described right at the beginning of the listing description. I reported the review, citing buyer policy, and it was removed within a week! This is great news, and I hope it helps some of you. EDIT: When reporting, I used the “Objectionable Language” option. Entered info as “Customer obviously did not read item description prior to ordering, in breach of Etsy buyer policy.” I’ve reported reviews in the past dealing with shipping issues out of my control (3rd party) and they weren’t removed. I think it depends on the Etsy agent assigned to the report. Luck be in your favor. Regarding the policy snippet: “Purchasing an Item on Etsy When you buy from a shop on Etsy, you’re directly supporting an independent business, each with its unique listings, policies, and processing times. By making a purchase from a seller on Etsy, you agree that you have: 1. Read the item description and shop policies before making a purchase; 2. Submitted appropriate payment for item(s) purchased; and 3. Provided accurate shipping information to the seller.”

Top comments (7)

[score=57] jiroscopes
I’ve also had a bad review removed when it was clear they didn’t read the description or look at photos. Glad Etsy is helping sellers with this!
[score=45] Bobbiwired
Wow! That's impressive - I didn't know Etsy had that in the buyers' TOS - wish I had known that!! ETA: I just looked and Etsy updated the Buyers “House Rules” June 10, 2025. Nice to see protections for sellers from buyers who just click the pretty picture and don’t bother to read.
[score=19] [deleted]
[removed]
[score=25] rapidfiresquirrel
Well DANG!! I had the same situation last Christmas, and the customer left 2 horrible reviews because she didn't read a thing. It tanked my emotions, really hurt my shop rating because Im new, and is SO embarrassing! Like you, no attempt to contact me directly to resolve, just 2 nasty reviews. Only after I contacted her to "sweetly explain" her mistake did she apologize and admit she was 100% in the wrong, but would not change her reviews. THANK YOU for posting this, because Im going to use your method! Etsy, as expected, completely ignored my request to remove at least 1. SO glad you shared!!!
[score=19] poppyandhoneybee
Love this. Holding both Etsy and the buyers accountable.
[score=16] PublicComfortable900
It is a good thing I’m sitting down because what you just posted would have made me faint! Etsy actually doing something to help the seller is nothing short of amazing! 😃
[score=12] FalcorsLittleHelper
Wow sounds like you really lucked out. Which option did you use to report the review? "Review contains private information", "Review contains objectionable language", etc.