...I would probably attempt to bend it back to spec, but I wouldn't invest a whole lot of money in the experiment.
Think of it this way : You are educating the seller in the fact that shipping any bike frame without either a dummy axle double nutted in the drops and fork ends, or hubs/wheels installed, is not a real smart thing to do.

I have never entrusted a bike frame to shipping without a dummy axle in place, nutted inside and outside each dropout.
I have never received a frame new in the mail that did not have at least a plastic spacer stuck in there, and in the fork.

This is on him, not you. And as others have said, it takes a lot to bend a Surly that far inboard. Might set back out fine, but even then, it's compromised.
Cold setting is something you do in millimeter increments. Take photos of how it was packed and received, because if he kicks up a fuss, you'll need them.

He might get something back from the shipping company, but that's not properly packed by any standard.