Shipping/ ebay dilemma

[FE911]

So, I sold a vintage amp on ebay. (Supro). Packed and shipped it. I thought I did a pretty good job(extra styro-and lined with extra cardboard). I've done better, but it was a pretty light amp, and I've only really had issues with the heavier amps. Fully insured through USPS.
The buyer emailed me that the amp was damaged in transit, and that it was my fault, poor packaging. He gave me a laundry list of the damage. Torn speaker/separated from baffle. Xformer broke away from chassis, chassis broken away from cabinet. thoroughly broken. He reiterated that it was my fault because I did a poor job of packing, and he wanted part of his money back. He sent me the USPS description of how a 20-45 lb. package should be reinforced(pretty surprising what it says), even though I think it was around 18lbs. Which, he says, makes filing a claim not possible?
I asked for pictures of the damage. And he replied that he had already repaired the amp, so it was too late to take pictures. Which, if it was me, I would probably have fixed it already as well. But If I was asking for a refund, I would have at least taken some pictures,
I just don't know what to do. I requested proof of the damage, and suggested filing a claim. But he is not interested in either. Any suggestions? He's not asking very much back, but I've already taken quite a loss on the unit.

[bigtone96]

It seems to me that if the damage was legitimate, he would have not been so eager to quickly repair it and at the very least taken pictures. I had that happen with a guitar that my son sold on Ebay, after a few emails it became apparent that the buyer was just trying to get half of his money back. Not being too quick to judge, but it sounds like he may be trying to shake you down.

[jasonbeatty]

I realize my comment is late, but I hope you get this before paying him anything. Without proof of the damage, his attempts to get you to pay are groundless. If someone bumped your car, you would take pics before getting it fixed, right?

I say make him prove it. The worst he can do to you is give you negative feedback. PayPal won't believe him without proof of damage so there's no chance of the sale being reversed.

[skyboltone]

I'm a 189 with 100% positive. Buy and selling. He's scamming or he's just a jerk. That's no way to settle a dispute. I would explain that to him without raising your voice; you know what I mean? And the UPS claim thingy is really pretty informal. You take in the packaging, take in the damaged item and discuss it with an employee. Whoever happens to be handy as far as I could tell. My claim was a $2000 Ham transceiver that I sent to a guy in factory packaging. The rig hit the ground so hard that the main tuning knob dented the side of the container and the styro supports broke. She said, hummph, took quite a hit didn't it, signed the claim and walked away.

He didn't even try.

Be nice but be firm
YMMV
Dan

[mooreamps]

In dealing with people, sometimes you don't know what can happen. This is why you / or your client pays for insurance. If the claim is legitimate, have your client file the proper insurance claim forms. This is the proper way to conduct the transaction. If the client is unable to prove the item was damaged in shipping, the burden of proof is on him, not you.

-g

[sliberty]

At the very least, he should be able to provide a receipt for any parts he purchased in otder to repair the amp. FOr example, the speaker - certainly he didn't just use nail polish....

If he cannot provide the receipt either, forget him. if he can, and he is not asking for much money, pay him, and note his username so you can avoid him in the future.