...... if it were me, I would have sent the following e-mail instead:

"You stated that you would mail the chip on August 24 (via Priority Mail). I would have expected to receive the package by August 26, but today is the 1st of September and I still have not received the chip. I know that the check has cleared, so is there some other problem that I am not aware of?"

I think the above e-mail puts a positive spin on the situation. The next step would certainly depend on the response that you get back.

Personally, I think the threat of using (or not using) feedback during eBay auction correspondence does nothing to strengthen one's position. To the contrary, I think it weakens one's position. After the transaction is completely consumated, it would then be entirely up to both parties to decide what type of feedback, if any, is left for the buyer and the seller.

- Mike (mqprod)