'Value for less' - a cautionary tale

I recently bought a camera off eBay, from an outfit trading as 'ValueForLess'

They sell what they describe as "Ex-Display wharehouse (sic) returns",
but if this camera was ex-display, I'm an archbishop! I buy quite a few cameras
off eBay, and this was the only one I have had that wasn't immaculate.

I wouldn't normally make a big fuss about a thing like this, but I asked before
the sale if the camera was damaged, and was told no. Now I have pointed it out,
VFL are refusing to rectify the matter and insisting that black is white as far as the
camera is concerned. If you think I exaggerate, the quotes below are all verbatim
from their emails - yes, I did try to resolve the matter before going this far...

Those of you who are planning to do business with these guys should
also note their method of postage and packing. I paid £6 for the
privilege of having it wrapped in about a square foot of bubble wrap (no tape)
and stuffed in an ordinary, thin A5 manila envelope - postage cost 79p!

Here are some interesting photos (note the missing screws - who's had it apart, I wonder?)
You can draw your own conclusions about VFL - I certainly have.
If, by any chance, you've had experience of them, do let me know and I'll post that here too.
It would probably be unfair of me to label them as swindlers on the basis of a single
transaction, so if you have a more positive view, then let me know about that as well.
If they are friends of yours, then perhaps you could persuade them to refund my money...

Send me an

~~ Gallery ~~

"In fact most of the camera is unscratched and lovely"
(from the Arthur Daley phrasebook, I imagine)

"Above the lens the camera is perfect"

"..the camera is still in excellent condition"