Dealing with a suspicious dealer, post-purchase

I recently bought a Sony Walkman NW-A847, based upon some reviews from various sites, including one I recall reading here. But after receiving the player, I ran into a problem with both it and the seller.

I was told that it was a Japanese model, but the seller listed there was an option to have the firmware changed to English. I thought this would be a good deal, because it was supposed to be a very good player, and the exchange rates favored me slightly. Plus, the European model, the NWZ-A847, has a volume limitation built-in, due to the European Union's requirements. I figured that this would be the best option. Once I got it, I tried everywhere to find this optional English firmware. I looked on Sony's various international sites, I asked in other forums, I looked everywhere I could think it would be. Everyone told me there wasn't one. I even spent the time and effort to call Sony Japan and talk to one of their people. They told me flat-out that there is no other language support or firmware for that model.

The player works fine, but it is completely indecipherable to me. I could not figure out any of the menus because of the language. Even with the English manual for the NWZ version, I had a terrible time figuring out what did what. I would press a button and it would bring up a wall of text, and I couldn't figure out what it meant. Such a large obstacle has made it pretty much useless to me. Maybe I'm just not smart enough to figure it out.

Here's where the trouble with the seller begins. When I asked for a refund, he demanded a 30% restock fee, which worked out to about $120! I refused, of course. After a few days, he said he would only take a 15% to 20% restock fee, which is still a lot of money. But he claimed that if he found the package was missing anything, or wasn't as intact as he had sent it, he would take another 5% to 10% on top of it. So, if he just wanted to say so, he could get that 30% from me, and there is nothing I could do to prove otherwise.

After a few days, he still maintained that there was a way to get it to have English firmware on it, and despite all the evidence I gave him stating otherwise (including the messages from Sony Japan), he told me that he could get it done for me. I would just have to cover the cost of shipping it there and back (more money), and he would take it with him to Hong Kong in March and have someone there do it. This would void any warranty the player has, and possibly damage the device, in which case, he would be under no obligation to replace or refund it. Hell, for all I know, he could just get it back and keep it, and I would have no recourse.

My only other option would be to sell it. But that may not even happen. I have put up an eBay ad, but nothing has happened with it so far.

I told him I would go through Paypal if I had to, but he immediately responded that he had already contacted them and had been informed he was entirely in the right, and I had no recourse except the refund. The other option he suggested sounds completely suspicious and I don't trust it at all.

Paypal's response to my questions has only resulted in two automated replies telling me to go to their page and start filling out a dispute form. I don't even know if I have the basis for a dispute, or if that's even going to work. The seller refuses to drop the refund to anything reasonable (over $100 is not reasonable by any means), and I fear I am stuck with a player I am unable to use. It works perfectly fine, I just can't comprehend any of the menus or options.

Some of you have had experience with international orders and must have had somewhat similar ordeals take place. I'm asking for advice, help and anything in between. Am I screwed? Am I stuck with this player, with no hope of a proper and reasonable refund? Or do I have other options I don't know of yet?

Thank you for reading this, and thank you for your time.

That's what I've been telling the guy. He's adamant that there is a way, but only if I sent it back to him. Who knows what will happen then.

The only good thing so far is he has lowered the restock fee down to 20%, but that's still like $85. With shipping, I'm going to be out almost $100 because of his iffy disclaimer.

Paypal has been less than helpful. When I asked them if I even had a case for dispute, I got automated letters telling me about the forms to fill out.

I already have an eBay and a local ad, but nothing so far... The FAQ here states that you have to be around for 30 days have have I think it was 20 posts before you can do so. I was rather hoping this matter would be done by then.

EDIT: Would it be a faux pas on my part to put the link to the eBay ad in my signature? It comes off as spamming in my mind, but it would help increase the chances of a sale. Someone here might actually want one right now?

OK, this is odd now. Here is his latest counter-offer.

The $100 US is more than the 15% restock fee. Quite a bit more. I don't understand how he thinks this is better for him.

To me, it says he is willing to give me $100US back to keep it, instead of him taking 15% (about $80ish) to send it back to him, even if I pay for shipping.

He really seems to not want it. Maybe I got a cursed player, and will kill me in seven days?

As far as I am concerned, I'm not really able to use the player properly (I know some have said it's simple, but I have no mind for languages, and I'm terrible at dealing with electronics as it is), so keeping it still a negative on my side. But if my math is kind of right, this offer lets me get $100 back, but I still have the option to sell it to get the rest back (assuming anyone ever wants it, that is). Mind you, if that's the case, I can still sell it for about $350 and break even, even with shipping costs.

Maybe that's just the better deal now.

But why would he be so eager to it in my hands when he could make more selling it on his own?