I cannot choose between chasing our spare cable and buying another

I have asked that directly. The accepted order identifies the additional cable, so there should be no uncertainty about which spare I mean.

Our maintenance buyer has identified a source but not confirmed availability. The original seller says their stock is being checked. They had previously said the kit was packed, so I have asked them to explain that difference.

Packed, apart from the bit that isn't there. Familiar.

Sarah Adams, I agree about not buying from frustration, but there may be a reason to hold a spare before the first one fails. Does maintenance have a coverage requirement for this teaching cell?

Maya, fair point. I was assuming this was only about closing the purchase. If maintenance needs a spare by a particular point, that changes it. Still wouldn't let the seller quietly keep the payment.

Maintenance wants a spare held before the regular teaching programme uses the cell. We are not there yet. The local source has confirmed stock, so I now have a real alternative rather than another listing.

Does the local quote name the same cable assembly reference?

Yes. Our maintenance buyer checked it against the supplied package documentation. The original seller has admitted their packing note copied the whole kit list even though that cable was not available.

At least the imaginary packed cable has been unpacked.

What are they offering now that the shortage is acknowledged? A refund for that line might be more useful than another estimated batch, but the amount matters.

They offered a refund for the cable line. It is less than the local delivered price. I have taken both figures to our equipment coordinator rather than accept it on my own.

Sensible. You shouldn't personally decide how much extra the department pays to escape someone else's missing stock.

Did the coordinator choose, Imran?

We accepted the refund and bought the identified spare locally. The difference was approved as an additional cost, not hidden in the original order. The local cable has arrived and maintenance has checked its identity.

Has the original refund reached you as well? That last bit can outlive the replacement purchase.

Not yet. The seller has confirmed the amount in writing, but accounts has not received it. We have the spare we need; the original order remains open for the refund.