I would like to just update this topic as allowed by the forum staff.
First I would like to thank ViperTony for trying to help out. From 1/22-1/25 he tried playing "middle man" to come to a resolution here on the forums between me and the seller. We were unable to reach a solution that would work out for the both of us. Ultimately I just wanted to return the panel and get my money back which the seller was only willing to refund $100.
Since that did not work for me I opened a dispute with PayPal on 1/25. I didn't have much faith as I have gone down this road before. Paypal closed the dispute on 1/31 siding with the seller. I called PayPal on 1/31 as the case notes gave incorrect explanations, they basically had the seller and buyer info backwards. The lady on the phone at PayPal took my information, understood where I was coming from and agreed the case should be opened back up. They reopened the case and the lady on the phone made it sound hopeful that I should get my money back based on everything I had provided to begin with. Several days later PayPal closed the case and sided with the seller once again. I called PayPal and asked for an explanation and was given that they do not guarantee condition, only delivery and tracking information showed that it was delivered and even though the part is scratched its still functional. I asked if I had bought $500 home speakers that were scratched but still functional would they see it the same way. I was told that its "different" for car parts.
On 2/16 I opened a dispute with my credit card company. That was a long drawn out process. I priority mailed all the documents I had to them that week. During that time I had several phone conversations about the dispute. The case got extended because apparently they never received the documents in the mail and the case automatically closed around the first of March. I then had to fax them all that info after several more phone calls. After reviewing the info my credit card company requested more info yet to be faxed. I had to had to go to an independent shop, they had to state the condition of the part on a signed document with the shop name on the letterhead and fax that in. On 4/2 the credit card company refunded my money, closed the dispute.
The closed dispute opened a chargeback case with PayPal on 4/2, this case remained open for 10 days to give Joshua time to dispute the chargeback and provide any information around it. Nothing was provided and the chargeback case was closed with PayPal on 4/11.
Cliffs:
It took 3 months to get a refund and lots of back and forth BS. Unfortunately this refund did not come from Joshua or PayPal, so he did not receive his part back. This is something that could have been avoided if the part was accurately described or the seller was willing to refund the money like I requested within the first 15 minutes of receiving the part. I appreciate that the VCA Forum Staff tried to help out. Since all this has started I have spent about $6,000 with other sellers on the forums without issue and I thank them. I will continue to buy and sell here on the VCA, however I will make sure I am clear with questions and concerns I have prior to sending payment.
-The End