Yeah, Peter White is unfortunately often pretty dismissive of issues. Personally I can only suggest ordering from a 3rd party (Home - Harris Cyclery bicycle shop - West Newton, Massachusetts as a lot better for me), or don't going into nuance - just say "it's not working I need to return it".

I contacted him about a front light with a bad beam pattern and he gave me some usual deflecting "I'll just say some absurd theory to get you to go away" excuse. :-(