Originally Posted by ratbastid

Personally, I think you're overreacting. Some guy with an empty box and a glue gun was having a bad day, and took it out with the equipment he had at hand. Your mother was the unfortunate recipient of the message, and for that your vendor owes you and her at the least an apology, and perhaps also a discount or refund on that shipment or something. If you have a sales rep there, you should call to complain.

Do you have grounds for legal action? I don't know. If I were on the jury, I'd have an awful hard time finding in favor of damage penalties that would make it worth your effort.