Is a 4.7-star average rating bad for an Etsy shop after shipping delays?

Hi! A 4.7-star average isn’t “bad” on Etsy—most buyers still see that as a solid, trustworthy shop—but it is below Etsy’s 4.8+ target for the Star Seller “Rave reviews” metric. So it usually won’t tank your shop overnight, but it can slightly affect buyer confidence (some shoppers filter mentally for 4.8–5.0) and it can make Star Seller harder to qualify for if that matters to you.

What to do about reviews mentioning shipping delays you can’t control (without making it worse):

1) Set expectations before they buy (this is the biggest fix).

• In your Etsy listing description (top few lines), repeat a simple, clear line like: “International delivery typically takes ~X–Y business days after dispatch; customs can add time.”
• Make sure your shipping profile delivery estimates and processing time are accurate and not overly optimistic.
• Add the same message to your shop announcement and an FAQ (buyers often miss descriptions).

2) Message proactively once it ships (reduces 4-star “shipping” reviews).
Send a short dispatch note: you shipped on time, here’s tracking (if available), and a realistic transit range for routes like Canada → Germany. Buyers are far more forgiving when they feel informed.

3) Give a “faster shipping” option when possible.
Even if most people don’t choose it, having an upgrade available reduces frustration because buyers feel they had control.

4) Respond to those reviews the right way (calm, factual, no defensiveness).
If a review says “took too long,” a good public reply is short and future-focused, for example:

• Thank them
• Confirm you dispatched quickly
• Clarify that international transit/customs can take 1–3+ weeks depending on the route
• Invite them to message you so you can help with tracking next time

Avoid asking them to change the review, and don’t argue about blame—other shoppers are the audience.

5) Watch for pattern issues you can control.
If multiple buyers are surprised by delivery time, that’s usually a communication/expectations problem (listing + shipping settings), not a shipping-speed problem.

If you tell me what your current processing time and your estimated delivery window shows on the listing for Germany, I can suggest a wording + settings approach that reduces “it was slow” reviews without scaring buyers off.