Cels destroyed during shipping?

I know I said that I would keep quiet, but I can't resist the temptation.

First of all, I think you need eBay's dispute resolution process, not their buyer protection plan. You might get the answers you want from the seller by using this method.

And second, you seem to be accepting most of the blame because you didn't purchase insurance. But there are other possible scenarios besides damage during shipping. You've mentioned one - the nature of the packaging. Another possibility is that the cels were already damaged when they were packaged.

Actually, re-reading your description of what you found, it doesn't sound as if the package itself was really damaged during shipping. So you're left with the mystery of what happened to the contents, and that may have been due to shipper negligence.

Hmmm.. Open up a dispute to get the seller to respond? All they have to say is it is moot because I'm not covered by the protection policy.

I emailed again and then a week later opened up a dispute. After a couple of days got this message:
--
Hello. Why did you claim to eBay? I shipped items as described. If you get them dirty. This is NOT my mistake. You must claim to US Postal Service. How should I do about it? Please let me know. Thank you.
--

And again emailed asking why the packaging was different and why one of the cels described as 'excellent' had some (pretty extensive) line damage before it was shipped.

Oh well, this probably won't end well...


==================
Update for Monday:

Now it is just getting weird. Latest email from the seller:
---------------------
I have never used Black plastic board.
I'm always using CLEAR (Not Black) Plastic Board. I don't understand
why you
got different board...
And we always confirmed condition of cels before listing. All Galaxy
cels
didn't have any damage.
I think you must notify to US Postal Service first.
Postman (or US custom) must be opened the package.
I was keeping cels clean, and I shipped safty. I believe you know that
our
previous packages were always excellent condition.
I think I don't have to refund for these cels because this trouble is
not
from me.
---------------

uh... what? customs just happened to steal the clear plastic sleeve and replace it with an identically sized black one? Sure... all things are possible, but um... no, wait, they aren't.