I'll go first...

When is a cardboard box a case?

I recently ordered construction shims from, www.MrShims.com.

He sells a kit of shims that contains a variety of sizes and which is described as:
'Our assortment kits are enclosed in a heavy duty cardboard box. Inside are placed 100ea of the 1/4", 1/8" and 1/16" with dividers. A handy way to take them to the job site.'

Then, just down from that he lists, 'Case for Window / Structural Shims'.

So, I thought, a case would be nicer than a box, and I ordered a 'Case' in addition to the kit.

My order arrives, and there was no case--just two boxes, one of them empty.

I sent two emails asking where the case was, and both were ignored. I finally called and asked about the case.

I was told that the second cardboard box was my case. 'So, I paid $17.00 for a cardboard box?', is asked. 'Yes', was the reply.

Needless to say, I won't be ordering from him again.

I assume you paid with a credit card, correct? I would dispute the "case" charge and tell the CC company what happened. I am pretty sure you would get the charge reversed. What happened is really unacceptable if you ask me.