Dodgy Ebayer or not?

[loopstah]

Recently I sold a game on ebay and after posting it out received a message saying the game was scratched and unplayable and asking for a return.
I was pretty certain the game was in very good condition and had described it as such so I told them to return it thinking I must have missed a scratch or something and that I could get it repaired and resell it.

The game arrives back this morning and the disc is practically split in two

Now I know 110% that the disc was not broken in such an obvious way when I sent it, I would have to be blind not to have realised it was split, so I am left with 3 scenarios:

1. The game was broken in the post, but the case is in perfect condition so I can't see how the disc broke without the case breaking and the guy himself said the packaging was undamaged.

2. The guy had broken his copy of the game so bought another and has performed a switcharoo.

3. The guy broke the game himself when he got it and now want's his money back for being a Klutz.

So what would you do in this situation?

 

[loopstah]

AHAH! Busted.

Just checking the photo I used for the auction which is 2034x1728 in original size and a large scratch has mysteriously dissapeared from the case. Also it looks like someone has pulled out the back insert and disc plate and put them in as the back is ripped in the corner and the side with the name on is creased.

So why would they swap the case before sending the broken game back to me.

Trying to pull one on me,
should have known with a Liverpool address

 

[loopstah]

Vandal Hearts for the Playstation. I probably wouldn't have noticed but the camera takes huge pictures.

I'm thinking someone dropped or did something to the original then jammed it in a new case to claim a refund, as the case is oddly new looking.

 

[loopstah]

This is what I sent out:

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e328/loopstahblue/DSCF0298.jpg

and what I got back:

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e328/loopstahblue/Dscf0303.jpg

Honestly it looks like someone took a pair of scissors to the disc.

The incriminating mark is on the black Playstation band down the side.

EDIT:
Just messaged them with:

Hi, I received Vandal Hearts today and was wondering why you have put it in a new case as it is not the same case I sent it in?

I have a high res image of the original auction picture and the case is marked yet the returned case is almost new I would say and clearly not the original.

I thought you were exagerating when you said it was cracked, it appears as though someone has used scissors or something to cut the disc.

While I might have missed a scratch or gouge I think I would have noticed the disc was falling apart. As you stated the packaging was in order I can only assume that you somehow damaged the disc yourself possibly while changing the cases about.

I would be gratefull if you could explain these odd things.

 

[loopstah]

Recieved an email this morning:

yeah, i have the original case here still. it was badly already
damaged,
cracked and broken when i opened the package. i didnt want to send it
back
in the original case in case you thought that it got damaged on
returning it
to you through the post, sorry but someone has accused me of that
before. i
can send you the original damaged case back if you want. In any case
though
if you sent it off and it was fine and i received it damaged then
obviously
that was done in the post. Any suggestions?
Mark


So I am thinking I'm dealing with a fool rather than a scam artist for two reasons.

1. The disc was in such a bad state that I am obviously going to realise it wasn't sent out like that.

2. They paid by cheque not paypal so they can't chargeback.


Obviously the blindingly obvious idea of claiming for breakage from the Royal Mail has eluded them.

I think I will explain to them about what you do when stuff breaks in the post and send the game back. They have good feedback so I suspect they are just a bit behind the door.

 

[loopstah]

Yeah but he has admitted it was damaged in the post so I'm free of any obligation to refund him now. If he wants to scam money from the Royal Mail he can but he wont be getting any from me. I'll post the game back and let him sort it out like he should have in the first place.

Hang on, so he originally told you that the game was scratched, but now he says it arrived badly damaged and broken?

He says the case was badly damaged and broken, originally he said the case was in perfect condition and only the disc was damaged. Honestly some people shouldn't be let near a computer, if they are a scammer they are the worst I have seen.