Amiga 4000 damaged in shipment, fair compensation?

[TjLaZer]

Ok I recently bid on an Amiga 4000 on ebay that came with a Picasso IV card.  

The package was packed ok but could of been packed much better, especially the keyboard. It was just throw in loose in the peanuts along with the 4000.  The keyboard was damaged pretty bad with 3 broken keys and real bad scratches and gouges. I asked that the PIV card be removed and packed separately as I had a 2000 shipped in the past that the cards got damaged as they popped out of the slots.  Luckily the card was fine and it seems to work great in my other 4000! (phew!)  The 4000 arrived damaged (ie the left side of the case looked like someone kicked it with a steel toe boot, LOL)  It also does not work. Black screen.  I did get it to boot 1 time but since then it does not boot.  Yes it had a leaking battery that was remove 3 minutes after I opened it up.  Used Isopropyl alcohol and a toothbrush to clean the area up.  After checking everything over and it not working I decided to try a different CPU card.  I had another A3630 030 card so I tried that and presto it works!  
Keyboard seems to have problems.  I get weird characters when I type.  If I give it the old Atari twist or a smach it seems to work ok!  Then a few minutes later, the same garbage.

edit - seems there is no battery damage, as I get a CLOCK FOUND in SysInfo!  But there is no battery installed to know for certain...


So in letting the seller know all this, he is nice enough to offer compensation.  He wants to know what I would like for the following damaged items:

-A3630 CPU card
-A4000 keyboard
-A4000 top case

Whats a fair price for the above 3 items?

[TjLaZer]

Well I was after the PIV and don't really want the computer.  I was planning on reselling it to recoup some if the costs.  I have been after a PIV since 1998 when my ex sold it on ebay with my whole A4000!  The price of them has been in the $200-$400 range so i did do good I guess.  My issue is I want a working 4000 so I can try and sell it.  The keyboard is toast, don't think I can fix it as it needs a lot of parts, cosmetic damage as well.  The A3630 card is from my A3000T computer that I have a MKII 060 in, but I wanted to keep it if I ever need to remove the 060 and use it in another Amiga later on.  So I would need a new CPU card and keyboard to atleast get this 4000 running.  A dented top case can be dealt with a hammer I think...

[TjLaZer]

First off I am not crying and it was the seller that offered to compensate for the damages, all I told him was what happened as he emailed me once it was delievered. Good deal or not!  There was a delay in shipping and it tool like 17 days to get here.  Yes I got a good deal, so what?  Just because I paid less than some of you think I should, I should just not get compensated for the damages?  I believe it's insured through Canada Post so it is not worth the hassle to start a claim, and I do want tot keep it as I was after a PIV card and I paid $400 for it which seems the going rate. (don't I have to turn in everytthing to get my money back?  I could keep the PIV card and turn the rest in LOL)  But no I am happy the seller is being cool and I am not going to be unreasonable. I think if I got another keyboard at this point I would be happy with the transaction.

A 4000 motherboard even without battery leakage does not sell for $300+.  The going rate has been $150 to $200 from what I have seen. And I do recall seeing an empty 4000 case go for over $50 recently!  Even the A3630 030 card was up there so I might be better off just getting a A3640 for it.

And for the record, yes this makes this my 6th A4000 desktop computer!  Woohoo.  I just love the 4000. (can you tell?)  Always wanted one back in the day, and after my mint one was sold in my divorce 10 years ago I just can't keep my hands off them! Hahaha.  Actually most of them I rebuilt myself from parts.  Used ebay to get the rest to complete them.  Was a fun (but expensive) project!  Even send off a MB to Amiga Center twice to get fixed.

Well I do plan on selling a few of them off actually, that was the intention with this one, hence the "big deal" I am making about the damages.  I need a working keyboard (and possibly a CPU card) for this one.  Anyone know where I can get one?  I can try ebay I guess.

[TjLaZer]

Hahaha good one.  Even the great doom master would not be able to fix a cracked and broken keyboard and case  Plus I am sure he would charge as much as it would cost to buy a replacement from the bay.

[TjLaZer]

The seller was nice enough to accept my offer of $75.  That is great as I will easily pay that for another keyboard and CPU card.  The case can stay dented, I used a hammer and got it looking descent, although not perfect (was the left side top case)  Luckily the front bezel is fine.  I am pretty happy with this deal now.  I plan on cleaning up the 4000 once I get the parts and selling it.  I might get a A3640 for it now...

[TjLaZer]

I left him positive feedback and am very happy with this seller.  Very fair person to deal with.  Most would of said "sorry sold as is and it was not my fault it got damaged."  Very stand up guy and I wish more people were like him.