UPS Question/Problem

Thank You to everyone for your input!! I don't feel nearly as bad now after hearing all of your advice and some similar experiences. I don't think the seller is interested in my wishes and assisting me with the insurance to replace the speaker, but I'll keep everyone posted if anything develops. Keep'em coming,

Here's an update on the fraudelant seller. I paid him $35 to ship and insure for $1,600. Seller states he does not recall this, and only insured it for $600. I just spoke to UPS and they inform me that the seller did NOT insure AT ALL! He pocketed the extra money, thinking no one would find out. Seller is still dragging his feet on the refund I've requested and has not replied to my emails in 4 days. I'm tempted to take him to small claims court for the full $1,600, but I would rather just get my original investment back and wash my hands of this scum.

WHO IS THIS SELLER??

I SHIP ABOUT $3 MILLION A YEAR IN MERCHANDISE AND FIND THEY ARE ALL ABOUT THE SAME. THEY EACH HAVE 2%-3% A YEAR IN DAMAGE CLAIMS, MERCHANDISE THEFTS IN TRANSIT, WRONG DELIVERY ADDRESSES AND SO ON. CHRISTMAS SEASON IS THE WORST AND ACCOUNTS FOR 75% OF THESE CLAIMS.INSURANCE IS ONLY GOOD IF "THEIR PACKING GUIDELINES ARE FOLLOWED". READ UP ON THESE ...REALLY INTERESTING. ANY MERCHANDISE DAMAGED HAS TO BE INSPECTED AT THE RECIPIENTS DELIVERY POINT INCLUDING THE PACKING MATERIALS AND VERIFICATION OF THE SHIPPING TAGS. ONCE VERIFIED THE MERCHANDISE SHOULD BE PICKED UP BY UPS AND RETURNED TO THE SENDER WITH YOU GIVEN A PICK-UP TAG ID. NOW THE INTERESTING PART, ONCE THIS TAKES PLACE YOU ARE IN A POSITION TO PUT THE SELLER IN JAIL IF HE DOES NOT REFUND YOUR MONEY.FORGET ABOUT CLAIMS COURT, COST TIME AND MONEY AND TAKES FOREVER. NO ONE WANTS TO DO FED TIME FOR $600. THE SAME LAWS THAT PROTECT MAIL FROM FRAUD APPLIES HERE. LEGISLATION WAS PASSED 5 YEARS AGO TO MAKE IT FELONY FRAUD TO USE "OTHER CARRIERS" TO CONDUCT BUSINESS USING SHIPPING COMPANIES OTHER THAN USPS WHICH HAS ITS OWN FRAUD INSPECTORS.TELL HIM YOUR MONEY OR JAIL, WHAT WILL IT BE? I agree with Carl...who is the seller, we helped you out, now help us out.

I filed a fraud complaint with Ebay and their dispute resolution site, but I'm finding out that they don't really have any teeth (and seller never acknowledged it). Seller was just mailed a check from UPS for his damage claim for $611. So now seller has my $545, speaker returned to him and $611 to boot. Seller has since made offers to sell me the speaker at reduced cost, and claims internal repairs were made (by a buddy). I declined his offer and requested my refund again. Today seller emailed me with demands that a)I remove my fraud claim b)that I sign some letter he will write claiming all is well... and c)he requests I don't bid on his auction anymore. If these conditions are not met, "MY REFUND WILL BE ON HOLD". I've been playing "nicey, nicey" with this guy for about as long as I can stand. I had the understanding that our transaction was binding, and the seller was obligated to deliver the product as stated. In my opinion, seller falsely depicted speaker condition to begin with, then failed to insure as agreed, then defrauded UPS with a false damage claim. If seller advertised "a 3-month-old speaker with nick in one corner, otherwise excellent" isn't he legally bound to deliver said speaker? I've thought about small claims court, but know nothing about it, and have seen comments that it is not as easy as it sounds. (I'd love to nail this guy for every penny purely on principal). For the last month I've just hoped to get my money back, but this guys really asking for it! I'like to hear more suggestions on a course of action? Again, thank you to everyone for your input.