One could look it at this way. The coral was happy and healthy in the store. The only variable that changed was it being removed from that environment to the buyers care. Whether intentional or not, the buyers possession caused the deterioration of the coral.
Now back to watching Judge Judy (is she still on air?)
The difference is that the OP communicated with
TSA telling them that he was from out of town and will be driving back the next day.
TSA knew that and that is why packed the coral in a styrofoam box with a heat pack.
The OP thinking that the coral was in a safe place, didn't want disturb the coral and left it in the box sealed. According to the OP story, him transporting the coral did not cause the downfall of the coral, the mispacking was the downfall of the coral.
This wasn't a normal walk in transaction where
TSA would of just put it in a normal fish bag and tied it off with rubber bands and the customer walks off with a bag of corals. Hence extra care
TSA made by using metal staple, styrofoam box and heat pack. To be fair, I am not sure if
TSA does or doesn't pack all walk in customers with metal staple, styrofoam box and heat packs. I just assume they do the same thing all other LFS do.
Also, I am not pointing fingers at
TSA either, its a learning moment for both parties. Better communication and experience would of prevented this issue.