I purchased a packaged that arrived busted open with water damage to the box and inside the package itself. We set it out in the sun for a while to dry out the water and set the damaged box aside, given the item was falling out of the package when handed to us at the front office at our complex. When messaging the Seller and sending photos of the damage, they requested that we go down to USPS for inspection and file a claim. We were told that the Seller instead should file the claim and when informed by USPS, take the package down for inspection.
Given USPS throws out the package after inspection and depending on whether it has been approved or denied, we didn't want to risk receiving less than the price we paid for. We also didn't want to risk losing the item in case it needed to be shipped back, given the Seller denied our request for a refund. A few days later they randomly refunded us saying they would speak with their manager and we never heard anything since May 28th. They never followed up or requested additional action needed.
After weeks passed my partner was concerned about mold growth inside the box and had opened the item in my case, given we haven't heard anything back from them. We just got a letter today 6/6 by USPS that was issued on May 31st, requesting a package inspection and customer reply stating "If you have not reported the damage/missing contents to your post office, you must do so immediately." Issue is the box has now been opened. I've been waiting for the Seller to respond and heard nothing, case was closed so I assumed it was over.
I still have photos of the damage when I picked it up from the office however, we no longer have the damaged box. Where do we go from here?
(Also apologies this is posted in the wrong forum section)
