Update: Ebay wound up refunding all monies. Plus, they paid shipping back, making drop-off easier.

I wound up leaving negative feedback today. I felt nasty about it, but if there had been feedback like the one I just left on his profile I might not have had to go thru a rather unpleasant process. Feedback: "Undisclosed: Rust thru frame, dents, stripped threads. Awful to deal with." I was ready to get a neg back, but someone told me that sellers can no longer neg buyers. I would have gladly taken one in this case.

I'd rather someone else not have to go thru the same teeth pulling process. I'll wager being difficult and accusatory has worked for him in the past. If he'd refunded monies and paid for the return, since the frame was patently not as described, I'dve either not left any or left positive (I figure it's a plus if a seller resolves problems quickly and honestly, rather than blowing smoke at the buyer). Trying to get me to cancel the transaction without a refund in hand was especially nasty, as it would have resulted in no refund and no opportunity to leave feedback.

Hopefully this process is now over, although I suppose I'll hear from the seller about removing feedback eventually.

I was impressed with ebay. In the past it has been a bit of a wild west, and if a seller was dishonest and wanted to rip you off, s/he could.