First: a ticket closure simply means that the Theme in its current form cannot be approved. We still welcome and encourage dialogue in the ticket comments, to help work through any outstanding issues, to help you get your Theme approved.

Really? You don't see how closing the ticket immediately is the equivalent to SLAMMING THE DOOR IN MY FACE? Sure, I can knock a second time, but do you really expect me to feel like it? Like, ever again?

at the end of the day, the developer is responsible for ensuring that the Theme meets all Guidelines before submission.

You mean those guidelines that might have changed while I was working on my theme? Or for that matter between submitting it and having it reviewed? Those guidelines even reviewers can miss or forget?

How is that hypocritical?

Oh? You don't see how rejecting a ONE-LINE commercial message at the end while accepting REAMS of advertising INSTEAD of a README is hypocritical? How exactly is ONE LOUSY LINK more abusive? Abusive to whom? Because when looking for themes or plugins as a user I sure feel abused by all the BUY OUR PRO VERSION stuff shoved in my face instead of real information. But nooo... let's ban a simple, discreet acknowledgement of whoever made the theme in question possible. That's more fair.

The best way to resolve those issues?

To not ever bother you with a submission again. It's that simple. Isn't that what you need, less pressure on the review team? There you go. You're welcome.

Aren't things better now?