Bigwull - Sapphire's and Mart's explanations are right, but you are also correct in that they usually won't give refunds at all. In this case, however, they had represented the vases as being old when they were not. They could have fought me but chose to be professional about it. Also, it probably helps that MsGhopper and I are longstanding customers.
Wendy - Thanks for the kind and thoughtful words. It was indeed wonderful to deal with the Corning Museum, and fascinating to go through their collection. Such amazing things!
It's really been a learning experience, and happily one that ended well. One of the vases we bought was a genuine Galle, and the differences between it, as far as the more earthy colors and the skill in rendering leaves and flowers, and the new cameo vases was quite evident, although perhaps not from a picture.
So we got a Galle at a bargain! Who wouldn't love that?
