This has gotten so OT it's not funny.    Eyes glazed.  Not going down the road of quoting - too many.

Just making a statement now.   Keelhaul me if you must.

My category is very much like having a B&M store. Multiple repeat buyers.  Buyers and sellers

are able to meet face to face around once a month - very clubby.   Buyers don't necessarily know

your id and, unless a surname is mentioned, then sellers don't know the buyers either.  Your

reputation is won or lost on word of mouth.  I believe that to be somewhat unique on ebay.

I don't think I've heard anyone bandy the words 'paypal protection'.  We tend to look after each

other.   I have buyers that don't pay for 6 weeks but I know they're good for it.  When I was

sick I totally forgot to send an auction item, found it 2 weeks later.  Buyer said she knew I'd get

around to it.( Low stars, but I deserved it)  As compensation I let her choose anything she wanted

from store and  gave her freebies.   All my customers get a freebie with every order. I feel this is the

best way to get return business.

If an order is large $$ and unique, then yes, it's registered and lodged over the counter. 

 Otherwise I just replace it if lost and offer compensation.  As I said, maybe twice in 6 months.

A refund has never been asked for.

As for FVF - its pennies on an ordinary listing.

So as for OP -  I repeat -  Not worth a neg, just refund

Phew!!

Ready for that keelhauling now