Thanks for posting your original message, as well as this update. Glad to hear that things seem to be going the right direction.

There seem to be some valuable lessons here, for sellers (shippers) and buyers (recipients). Simple lessons for the buyer: Pay through a system that will allow some recourse / charge-back, and be careful to preserve the "physical evidence" when you receive a package that may not be right. Simple lessons for seller: Use big, ugly packages (that don't look like they contain valuables), with a box in the box and lots of tape, everywhere. Imagine that you are a driver / sorter / warehouse-man hoping to steal the contents of an attractive-looking box, and make this is difficult task -- no exposed edges, seams or flaps that might be quick and easy to open!! The big, ugly package (with another inner box) can be the cheapest insurance.

We will hope for a successful resolution, with the insurance (or PayPal / AMEX) making you (and seller / shipper) whole for the loss.

Jeff

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: Seller and I are are communicating to resolve issue. Thanks for all
: of your suggestions and advice. Let's see how well we can solve
: this as the end and proper result.