Well I paid a total of 100 bucks for it and weighing in at 97 pounds it is all but certain that the seller took a hit. I might just let it go, barring any broken glass.
...I've decided fuck it. I can complain about a dinged up corner if i want to be pissy but there isn't any broken glass and I don't need any more bad karma. The seller almost definitely took a hit as it is.
I'm right in the middle of a similar case with DHL, but you don't stand a chance. The parcel got delivered (no external damage visible), but the contents (vintage Scope) was damaged despite more than adequate padding and packaging. They will only deal with the sender, but they say they will only compensate after they have been given the item for evaluation. So they expect the buyer to send it back to the seller and then send it on to DHL (at my/our expense!!) so that they can have some idiot claim that it was worth some rediculously low price. Interesting, the claim documents also says (in very small writing) that they don't guarantee that the item will be returned to me after evaluation.
That's the point where you give up. The system is designed to avoid paying out. They didn't even give me the postage costs back. This was on a package that I paid for additional insurance too.
McBryce.
What you did wrong was to try and open the case with the carrier directly. Once you've done that, you're fucked. You ALWAYS start out through eBay with a request for the seller to open a claim; as you said, the carrier will only deal with the seller as they are the consignee. If the seller gives you hassle, or refuses to respond, then you open a dispute with eBay for "Item not as described", which it is NOT. Then the seller is responsible for return shipping. This places all the hassle on the seller's shoulders. This is your opening move and counterassault.
I've beaten every major carrier out there. It can be done. You just have to be patient. The flip side of that is it IS a major assache.
Consider if it's the money or the principle at stake for you, and decide accordingly. But remember that PayPal and the eBay resolution process are your leverage; all you have to do is make a reasonable case for non-support on the seller's side and you'll win.
In your case, since there is no evidence of actual shipping damage, make a nice little timeline, from the moment you first notice ANYTHING wrong with the item, right up to showing the inside of the box to demonstrate whether there is impact damage or not. Be totally anal about this documentation; this is your protection.
Since you say there is no evidence of shipping damage, you have a solid claim for "Not as described". For all you know, this seller had 6 of the item, and you got the worst one of the lot. Happens ALL the time. Document everything, and PayPal will side with you every time.
I was the seller/sender and it wasn't through ebay.
McBryce.
D'oh!!! Well, then, you get to suck up a lot of hassle or decide if you want to be the douche who refuses to help the customer unless they return the item.
That said... your case VERY CLEARLY is not in any way a similar case. It is pretty much the EXACT OPPOSITE side of a similar class of case. But I'm going to leave this up as a PSA for those playing along at home. Good hunting,
mnem
"Be vewwwy, vewwwy qwiet… I'm hunting snarks on fleaBay."