[markem]

Sorry to hear about your troubles. No matter how objective you try to be, it is always frustrating (to say the least!) to receive damaged goods.

But ... you knew this was coming ...

The main thing that you seem to be upset about is that the vendor's offer to pick up the damaged piece and ship you a replacement is inconvenient for you. It looks like you ordered in time for the piece to arrive before your trip, just as you planned, so no issue there. But mistakes sometimes happen and the vendor is not responsible to get you a replacement before your trip or otherwise account for issues out of their reasonable control. It it were me, I'd arrange to have the item picked up and a replacement shipped. You can use a borrowed cooler with a good seal for the time it takes to get a replacement. Coolers rock and I use one 100-qt cooler in addition to 3 vinotemps.

I feel for you bro 'cuz I've been there.

Alternately, you can send them pictures and suggest an amount that will make you happy to keep it. But as you said, you don't want to look at the damage, so I'm guessing that a replacement is the only way to make you whole.

Best of luck with this.