Wow thank you for the response, I thought this would possibly go unanswered.
To give more detail..
When I contacted the Seller and sent them photos of the damaged package busted open (Looked like a truck ran over it) they placed all blame on the post office and told me to take it up with them, not their problem. I then proceeded with opening an Ebay claim for return, but the Seller refused and kept repeating "Take it to the post office and open a claim. We unfortunately cannot approve your return or request for refund." I asked them countless times to open a USPS case on their end and I would take the item to the post office for inspection after they guaranteed a refund or to return the item. They still refused..
I was told through Ebay when calling that if I were to take the package to USPS prior to receiving a refund, they would dispose of the item and this could void my protection through Ebay, should the item no longer be in my possession. I was also informed that if I were to open a claim through USPS, it can be denied or I could receive less than what I originally paid. They said the best option was to open a return, so the rep opened a case and included details. I sent the Seller all the photos I had of the damaged package and item.
A week passes so I contact Ebay, they inform me that because the Seller is out of Country, that I would have to wait 5 days for them to provide a return label. If they refused then the case would be closed in my favor, given Ebay cannot provide return labels for out of Country purchases. After days of waiting since my last call to Ebay, the Seller randomly issued a refund and said "We have contacted our manager and will inform our post office that you refuse to file a claim or take the item in for inspection." Which I never once refused... The return claim was closed after they issued a refund and I didn't hear from them since for over 2 weeks.
We had set the package out in the sun prior to bringing it in the house for 2 to 3 hours. Given we never heard back, we assumed it was over and they didn't want to work with us anymore. My partner said he didn't want to leave it wrapped up with moisture possibly inside the item box, in case there was mold growth and he suggested either opening the box or throwing it away. He went ahead and opened the box instead and threw away the package because it was smashed and saturated with water/dirt. That was over a week ago that we opened the box. Then today he walks in from work and says I have a letter from USPS stating
"Customers are required to present the damaged article, mailing container, wrapping, and any other contents received to any post office for inspection immediately. If you have not reported the damage/missing contents to your post office, you must do so immediately. Please complete the reply section below and return this letter to us by fax or mail within 3 business days. In order to respond to Japan, we must know whether or not you received this article in damaged condition or with some contents missing."
So my question was, since we don't have the package anymore and threw away the box, wrapping, ect, all we have is the damaged item, what should we do now? Do I just ignore the letter or tell them that all I have left is the photos? I can give them the item to inspect and toss, but the package and proof of damage is gone. We also gave the Seller all the photos we had that showed clear view of the damage. Anyways I greatly appreciate everyone's help on this! Sorry for the long post!
