(Seller Disputes & Protection – Seller Guide)

Disputes can feel risky, but they do not automatically damage your ratings.
On Kingston Express, ratings are influenced by patterns and responsibility, not by the mere existence of a dispute — especially when orders are Dispatched by Kingston Express.

This guide explains:

• When ratings are affected
• When they are protected
• What sellers should do (and avoid)
• How to minimize long-term impact

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The Biggest Myth About Disputes & Ratings #

❌ Myth: “Every dispute hurts my rating”
✅ Reality: Ratings are affected by outcomes, responsibility, and behavior patterns

📌 One dispute does not define your store.

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When Ratings Are Usually Protected #

Ratings are typically protected when:
✔ Seller followed platform process
✔ Issue was delivery-related and seller was not responsible
✔ Dispute resolved using verified records

📦 Dispatched by Kingston Express

• Delivery-related disputes often do not count against sellers

📌 Responsibility matters more than complaints.

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When Ratings May Be Affected #

Ratings may be impacted when disputes involve:

• Item not as described
• Repeated quality issues
• Poor communication
• Policy non-compliance

📌 Patterns, not one-offs, influence ratings.

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How Disputes & Reviews Interact #

Important points:

• Buyers may leave reviews during or after disputes
• Reviews reflect the entire experience, not just the outcome
• Calm, professional handling reduces negative feedback

📌 Your response style influences future buyers.

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What Sellers Should Do to Protect Ratings (During a Dispute) #

✔ Stay professional in all messages
✔ Keep communication on-platform
✔ Follow timelines and instructions
✔ Let the process complete

📌 Professionalism is a rating shield.

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What Sellers Should NEVER Do (This Hurts Ratings) #

❌ Argue with buyers
❌ Pressure buyers to change reviews
❌ Offer refunds for review removal
❌ Retaliate or threaten

⚠️ These actions can cause permanent rating damage.

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How Dispatched by Kingston Express Protects Seller Ratings #

Orders dispatched by Kingston Express:

• Use verified delivery data
• Reduce “item not received” complaints
• Shift delivery responsibility away from sellers

📦 Reliable fulfillment stabilizes ratings.

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If a Buyer Leaves a Negative Review During a Dispute #

Best practice:
✔ Respond calmly
✔ Acknowledge the concern
✔ State that the issue is under review

📌 Future buyers read your response, not just the rating.

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Can Reviews Be Removed After Disputes? #

Reviews may be reviewed if they:

• Contain abuse or personal data
• Are unrelated to the order
• Violate platform guidelines

📌 Unfavorable does not mean removable.

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How to Recover If Ratings Dip #

1️⃣ Identify the root cause
2️⃣ Fix listing, packaging, or delivery issues
3️⃣ Deliver consistently
4️⃣ Let new reviews rebalance the average

📈 Recent performance matters most.

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What Does NOT Damage Ratings Long-Term #

❌ One difficult buyer
❌ One lost dispute
❌ Isolated delivery issue

📌 Trends define reputation.

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Final Rule (This Protects Reputation) #

👉 Ratings reward consistency and professionalism — not perfection.

Sellers who follow dispute processes, communicate calmly, and rely on Dispatched by Kingston Express protect their ratings, visibility, and long-term success ⭐📦🛡️