eight bags of screws counted as eight fixture kits

Sent that comparison. They replied with the packing list, which lists eight kits and no individual contents.

That packing list agrees with the quantity ordered, at least. Ask them to address the block count explicitly rather than resending the kit total.

They say the blocks were paired inside the bags. We found one block in each of four bags.

Were all eight bags checked, including the ones with only screws?

Yes. All opened and contents laid out in the receiving photos.

We had a small parts order where the seller kept pointing to unopened bags in our first picture. A second photo showing everything spread out finally helped. Have they acknowledged your unpacked photo, Zara?

Rosa's unpacked view seems the useful one here. I'd number the bags in that photo so the reply has to explain four specific empty places, not the appearance of a full box.

Rosa, they have acknowledged the unpacked photo now. David, all four carry the ordered reference; I've included it in the shortage request.

Seller accepts four blocks are missing and offers a credit. No replacement stock date. I am checking a local source before choosing.

Does the local source have that exact block, or an alternative?

Only an alternative so far. Our fixture designer has not assessed it. Credit remains unaccepted.

Worth keeping the stock shortage open until that choice is real. An offered credit is tidy on an email and rather less useful to the person trying to build the remaining fixtures.