Buyer initiated a return, I have packing photos and buyer sent me photos with a chunk of the spine of a book missing like it was cut off during unboxing.

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Summary: dafern65 sold a mint condition book, carefully packaged with bubble wrap. The buyer has initiated a return, claiming damage to the book's spine. dafern65 suspects the damage occurred during the buyer's unboxing process and wonders whether to accept the return, dispute the claim, or blame the postal service. They express uncertainty about how to proceed given the value of the book and lack of extensive experience with such cases. They are considering opening a dispute or addressing the issue with Royal Mail, depending on the damage's extent upon return.

So, I sold a book to a buyer, packaged it well in a parcel box with no gaps and bubble wrap to fill the gaps in the box. I have packing photos showing the parcel box with the address label of the buyer, the invoice and the item I sold him and it was in mint condition, book factory sealed in plastic wrapping no damage and I put bubble wrap around the edges of the box to fill the gaps so there would be no movement of the hardback book inside the parcel.

The buyer comes back with photos of the bottom edge of the spine damaged like a piece had been cut away. It looks to me like cutting damage when he opened the parcel.

I've messaged the buyer asking what occurred as I have packing photos and the item was in mint condition; of course the buyer probably will not 'admit to causing any damage' but my question to you all is what is the best course of action. I've not had much experience with dealing with returned damage goods - should I suck it up ? this book is worth £40+ or should I initiate a return and suck it up ? Also I bought my own Royal Mail parcel postage label to ship this item (not via eBay's Simple Delivery - this is all on a different eBay account); so what do I do ? open up some dispute if and when I get it back and doesn't eBay only refund 50% for any damaged items to the seller ? Would I be better off complaining to Royal Mail ?

It all depends on what I see close up with the book when I get it back I suppose; if the book spike is split - it could have just been a Royal Mail rough handling thing but if like I see in the rather blurry photos that a small chunk of book spine is missing then almost 100% that is damage due to the buyer manhandling the book either when opening it out of it's cellophane wrapping OR cutting it out of the parcel box.

thanks in advance of any help / advice.