The Chinese marketplace isn't regulated and is out of reach for American law enforcement. I don't know how often eBay gives those folks the heave-ho, as long as they can collect their percentage. I've looked at a couple of beautiful pieces, priced ridiculously low but shipped at exorbitantly high prices. It's no mystery that they are gouging on the shipping and consequently not paying a percentage of that as the sales price.

I was looking for some wool rugs and had bad luck with a couple of people. They refunded the selling price, one did refund the shipping. I gave up trying to buy rugs from anyone who doesn't sell a lot of rugs. One hid a big rip and a gap from the description and the photo, and I photographed it and attached it to my request for a full refund.

I think the trick to negative feedback is to be as reasonable about it as possible in that short description space you're offered. So you don't sound like a crackpot to anyone else who comes along and reads it later. For example, if you can set up a web page that clearly details your complaint, and offer that address (without html, that won't go in the remarks) then you might have a case.

"Beware vendor's badly packaged items. www dot guest at earthlink dot com for details" and post your version and photos of the event. I've seen sites like this over the years. Post it somewhere so it will stick around for a while.

SRS