This Kevin guy could have probably gotten away with not cutting that check. His reputation was already irreparably tarnished in the eyes of many here. It's not clear how legal action to recover the funds would have gone. For whatever reason, he did write that check.
I wouldn't be surprised if the Op told Kevin: if you don't refund me, everyone will blacklist you. If you do refund me, I'll make sure everyone knows you made it right.
We can speculate as to why Kevin refunded the money all day long, but the reality is that he did so, and that the OP is very lucky that Kevin decided to do so.. It could have gone a very different way. If I had gotten my money back after all hope seemed lost, I'd be pretty happy, too.
I don't think the Op is saying we should rush to buy pins from Kevin, but rather we should forgive this instance because he did ultimately make it right. Wasn't it the third post of his that said forgive but don't forget?
The shaker motor gimmick? I like it, but to each their own.
Just saying.