[BC_Grl]

Steve, I can agree with you only on some points. I, however, thought that they were not packaged carefully enough. He left them in their own tube (of course), bubble wrap around it, then put it into a hard cardboard tube and mailed it. What he should've done was possibly used popcorn stuff, and then placed them into another box with more bubble wrap or the popcorn stuff. We bought 2 bulbs. It came into 2 separate packages-- just the hardened tubes where they could've easily been thrown around. There was nothing written on the packages about the contents being glass or being FRAGILE!!!

We also said we'd pay extra for insurance. We were told UPS would pay the claim if any arrived broken. But of course, when we called UPS, they said they don't insure glass. At that time, Stephane had the responsibilty to contact us to tell us it won't be insured. We would've been able to make possibly another judgement call (say cancel the order or get it in writing that he'll replace them if they arrive broken).

If they were seconds- legally he cannot sell them as seconds without disclosing this. We asked him why were they so cheap. He told us he got at a good price through his company. Sounds reasonable...

This is not a case where I buy something from you and on the way home, it slipped out of my hand- I can't take it back because you sold me a broken item. He assured us there would be insurance to cover this -if the problem arose.

But -like you said- no one will know what will happen until Stephane gets back. I'm not sure how many messages he has waiting for him...