I bought a SVEA 123 stove from eBay ($23.50 plus shipping.) I’m planning to go backpacking with my Boddington can alcohol stove, but I’ve always wanted a SVEA, and when Julie goes with me she’ll want something more robust for real cooking.

The stove arrived … bent.

It was shipped unpadded (and full of fuel too, but that’s another matter.)

Apparently the box it was in took a tremendous blow at some point, probably thrown around in the truck, perhaps repeatedly. There was no real outer damage on the box, just a little scuffing, but the burner on the stove is bent at about a 20 degree angle off vertical, and the aluminum cup has a big dent in the top.

The seller has promised to ship a replacement stove, not in as nice shape, but since I’ll have one that works and one for parts I’m OK with that.

It’s possible I may be able to bend the stem back upright and use the stove as is. But I’m not going to try until I have all the issues resolved with the seller. He seems sincere, and I think it’s a better solution for both of us if he keeps the money and I don’t have to ship a broken stove cross-country.