Am I justified in my frustration?

I just read about the whole **** show going on here.
As I understand it, the initial price paid was $350 and the amount refunded was $100.
That leaves $250 paid for the assembly.
My definition of a core is an assembly that is intact that needs all wear related items replaced.
Correct me if I'm wrong.
Who gives a **** about mice **** and seeds etc? It all needs a thorough cleaning anyway.
The rust and it being stuck together would be my only concern.
Find someone that has a vertical press, and get them to press out the axle.
Then disassemble the third member out of the housing and see what you are left with.
The parts left should be the main housing, the bare chunk of the 489 case, backing plates, and maybe the axles.
Everything else including the bearings, gears, seals, and the other WEAR items need to be cleaned and replaced.

So, pop it apart and see what you got and then banter about condition.
Until then, $250 is still a decent price for what was sold.

On a final note, these parts are 50 years old and if you don't check out the condition before you lay down your money, you have no place to *****.

This is precisely why I rarely sell parts, because people generally want new condition for cheap.

Rant over.

Work it out amongst yourselves.............