Guys, I agree with you all, there were many roads I could have taken, and perhaps should have taken, and all support and advice from every one of you is appreciated. But bottom line, it was my call, I had a customer who wasn't happy. Whether you agree or not, whether it was even the right thing to do pr not - I had to do what I felt was right.

Had it been a much more expensive item, yes indeed, I would have questioned, or even ignored, and let it go as a learning curve. As Lyndal pointed out, there were no other option regarding my friend with the item not as described, and that is exactly my point. Things on Ebay are either very 'grey' or otherwise completely 'black and white'. A new buyer hasn't a clue what to do, as a seller - you should always research and learn and ask, this I have learnt from my own pathetic attempt to go it alone in the beginning. But it is unreasonable to expect any once or twice buyer to go though all the fine print and policy's, Should they ? Yes - undoubtably, Will they? - probably not.

I recieved a reply from the buyer, (and yes, they are very new) thanking me for my honorable gesture, and the reason they left a neg was they did not think they should ask for, nor did they think they stood a chance of a refund.  How sad is that?