Bad Etsy Review? No Explanation? Here’s Your Next Move

Ah, the joy of running an online business.

You spend hours creating a PNG bundle, listing it on Etsy, and dreaming about the sales and positive reviews that will flood in.

And then… someone slaps a one-star review on your hard work like it's a cold, soggy pancake.

Even better, they leave two bad reviews, because why ruin your day once when you can do it twice?

So, what do you do when a customer decides to trash your shop with all the energy of a toddler on a sugar high but refuses to explain why?

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STEP 1
Resist the Urge to Scream into the Void

Your first instinct might be to launch your phone across the room or compose an all-caps email demanding answers.

But take a deep breath.

This is the internet.

A place where logic goes to die and people leave bad reviews because Mercury is in retrograde.

Instead of letting rage consume you, channel that energy into something productive. Like rolling your eyes so hard you can see your brain.

STEP 2

Politely Ask What Went Wrong (Even Though You Know They Won’t Answer)

You did the right thing by reaching out and asking, “Hey, what exactly didn’t you like about the PNG bundle?” That was mature of you. Responsible. Professional.

And yet, silence. Not a peep. Not even a vague "I just wasn’t happy." Nothing. It's almost like they wanted to be difficult. Because they did.

At this point, you are wondering if they even used the product or if they just enjoy spreading bad vibes like a human rain cloud.

STEP 3
Decode the Mystery of the Phantom Complainer

Since they won’t tell you what the problem is, you’re left to guess.

Let’s break down the possibilities:

• They Bought It by Accident – Some people click buttons first and think later. Instead of admitting they goofed, they blame you. Classic.

• They Expected Something That Wasn’t Promised – You listed it as a PNG bundle, but maybe they thought it came with a free vacation to Bali. Who knows?

• They’re Just Having a Bad Day – Maybe their cat ignored them this morning. Maybe their coffee was lukewarm. Maybe they stubbed their toe and decided you should suffer too.

STEP 4
Decide How Petty You Want to Be

Now comes the best part… how will you respond?

Here are your options:

• The Saintly Approach: Leave a professional response thanking them for their feedback and offering to help. This makes you look good to future buyers, even though deep inside, you are screaming.

• The Passive-Aggressive Approach: "So sorry to hear that you didn't enjoy the bundle, especially since all our other customers love it! Let us know how we can make things right!" (Translation: Why are you like this?)

• The Spicy Approach: "It’s always great to hear feedback, even when it’s vague, unhelpful, and unexplained!" (Okay, maybe don’t use this one—but admit it, you want to.)

STEP 5
Drown Out the Negativity with Good Reviews

One bad review stings, but it’s not the end of the world.

The best way to handle it? Encourage happy customers to leave real reviews.

If you've had customers tell you they loved your product in messages, nudge them (nicely) to leave a review.

The more positive feedback you get, the less that one grumpy person's opinion matters.

STEP 6
Accept That Some People Just Suck

Some customers are just walking tornadoes of negativity. They show up, destroy things, and leave without explanation.

And you?

You’re left picking up the pieces of your Etsy reputation, wondering what you did to deserve this.

But you did nothing wrong. Some people thrive on complaining.

You, on the other hand, are out here creating cool things, running a business, and dealing with nonsense with (mostly) good humor.

A bad review (especially an unfair one) can feel personal, but it’s really not. The internet is full of people who will complain just to complain.

Don’t let them ruin your day.

Keep making awesome PNG bundles, keep serving customers who do appreciate your work, and let the occasional bad review roll off your back.

And if all else fails?

Print out the review, scribble nonsense over it with a red marker, and dramatically throw it into the nearest trash can. Therapeutic and effective.

Have a wonderful and productive day,

Miroslav from The Design Nexus

TOOLS YOU SHOULD TRY

Even if you sell products other than mugs or t-shirts, it doesn't mean it will cost you more.

There are tools that can help you with the tasks, and most of them have free versions.

• Research: Alura

• Graphic Designs: Creative Fabrica

• Design Editing: Canva, Kittl

• Vectorizing: Vectorizer AI

• POD Fulfillment: Printful, Printify

Disclaimer: Within the article, you will find affiliate links. If you decide to purchase through these links, I want to sincerely assure you that I will receive a commission at no extra cost to you.