Unbelievable thread. Were I Mr. Gould, I would have offered to take the case back AND refund Mr. Vella's duty and shipping, if only to make up for my boneheaded move of using someone else's possessions as a shipping container.

Gould's "justifications" for his actions are the mark of a sharp operator (as well as not being too bright) and now everyone on this board knows to watch out for him. Business is so easy and profitable if you're honest, look out for your customers, are fair, and try to sell things as described.

The negative publicity Gould has generated for himself is going to cost him a LOT more than taking back the case and refunding the duty would have cost him. Bad business strategy and execution, for sure.