The numpties are not a new phenomenom they've been active for many years.

Just a couple of examples. I sold a large metal object nearly 3 feet long. The buyer was in...... Mexico. I was able to unscrew part of it to reduce the length and the buyer opted for the cheapest shipping option, "surface". (Surface is by land and sea!) It was sent off as directed and a couple of weeks later the buyer complained that the item hadn't arrived. I explained that "surface" meant that it could take 8 weeks to get there. (it did eventually).

I sold a large pair of solid Silver items. Rather than have them in the same parcel, the buyer wanted them in two separate parcels as the reduced size made it cheaper. I did as asked and sent them both "Airmail". They were going to..... Australia. After a while the buyer said he'd got one but asked where was the other? I'd got receipts of course and pointed out he'd opted not to insure them!!! (Oh those were the days?)

Many weeks later I got an email to say the missing item had arrived. It had gone "surface" in spite of the "Airmail" stickers on it.

Today, what would I have faced? A chargeback no doubt, loss of the items and loss of the money?