ericbee, ewe are mistaken - ups *will* make payment for damaged goods - even if they were poorly packed, or were damaged prior to shipment. i was the buyer in two such incidents, & ups paid both times, w/no hassles - once to a dishonest seller, the other time to an incompetent seller. w/the dishonest seller, i even told the ups claims person, when they came over to inspect the goods, that i thought it was damaged prior to packing. go figure...
ymmv, doug s.