It's more than semantics, Charles. I think calling this description innaccurate is totally unfair to an honest seller. The fact that YOU would have described it differently is irrelevent.

If the photo had been working, or if you had asked for an email copy of the photo before bidding, then his description would have been perfectly accurate in the context of the photo. Many auction descriptions could be called "not accurate" if the photo did not appear for some reason. The item was EXACTLY what he stated it was, three chips MOUNTED IN PLASTIC. The seller DID post a photo, it's up to the buyer to inquire if the photo is not working at the moment. How can a seller anticipate every possible way a bidder may misinterpret something, or know that the photo was not coming up at the time you placed your bid?

To you, as a chip collector, it was a paperweight. To him, as an average Joe, it was three casino chips mounted in plastic, purchased at a casino gift shop, and he posted a photo of the item with his auction. This is a simple misunderstanding, nothing more.

You have the responsibility to investigate what you bid on:

From the eBay Buyer Guide:

1. Check it out...

Check the item you're bidding on thoroughly. If you have any questions about the item, email your questions to the seller.

If I didn't make myself clear, If I were you I would be happy with the refund of the sales price, and not expect the seller to eat the postage cost. He did absolutely nothing wrong (except possibly using AOL for his image hosting, LOL).

I would leave him positive feedback regardless of whether he chooses to refund part our all of the postage costs. eBay needs more honest and friendly sellers, and it's undeserved negative feedback from bidders who can't accept responsibiolity for their careless bidding that drives a lot of them away.