Thank you all for the support. Don't get me wrong, I know this is one of those silly 'first-world' types of problems, it just floored me to learn that a company could simply acquire ones property seemingly at a whim. Who ever reads the fine print of anything?
I hope you get some resolve, Mike. Or is this basically now an open and shut case, in their POV?
I called PB at lunch today and they opened a ticket for the item. I was told that they can't return the item to the seller without ebay's authorization. She almost made it sound like it might not even be in PB's possession anymore, as ebay 'confiscates' items to either dispose of or liquidate them. I asked what caused the item to be declared oversize and it sounds like the box might be 1 inch too long. ONE F-ING INCH!!! And that's probably not even the box, but more a bulge at the end of the box. I stressed multiple times that I want the item returned to the seller for alternate shipping and also that the seller has used GSP to send these items in the past without issue, all of which should be in the ticket. I'm hoping that will get the item returned, since it sounds like it is possible to have that happen, it just depends on how good a day the person that reads the email is having (or other randomization). I just hope this doesn't turn into 'well ebay says PB has to' or 'PB says ebay has to'...
Mike just open a paypal claim... you'll get your money back i'm sure.
Come now, you know I don't want the money, but rather the item.
In fact, I was simply issued a (partial) refund without even knowing there was a problem. I got a PP email stating 'my case was resolved - here's your refund' and then later received a couple messages from ebay stating the item was oversized and wouldn't be forwarded. Yes, a partial refund; I still have to file a claim to get my GSP payment back. Ironic, no?
Anyways, thanks again for joining me on this journey. I'll keep you posted as the shit keeps hitting the fan.
PS - Apologies for the strong language. That's not typically my style.
PPS - TED!!!!!!! Great to hear from you!