I agree, neck pocket cracks...very common and USUALLY only superficial.

As an experienced guitar seller and buyer on Ebay, I would say (although minor), the seller should have definitely mentioned it in the description. Damage is damage.

Also, you are right, the claim will take forever, and I don't think the shipping company will cover it if the seller can't prove the guitar wasn't already damaged. Especially if the shipping container is intact.

I know with UPS, they won't cover it if the item doesn't have at least two inches of padding on all sides. I'm sure Fedex will have some some similar rule.

I think we are all assuming you bought the guitar from Ebay. Just curious. How was the description? Was it detailed or vague?

Yeah, both my Strats have them, as does my J-Bass. I don't remember whether my sunburst Strat had them when I got it; I just remember looking at the neck joint, seeing the cracks, and thinking "huh". Unless the guitar has been seriously abused they're likely to be superficial, and just "part of the deal" with bolt-on necks. That part of the guitar is going to see some stress, and while the wood will flex, the paint on top - not so much.... especially with a rock-hard Poly finish. It would suck to see that on a brand-new guitar, but one that's seven years old - I wouldn't worry about it. Just my $.02.

It sucks that the seller didn't tell you, but having seen a lot of Fenders with this I would definitely say it falls under the normal wear you'd expect to see on a guitar listed in "used" condition.