Ks - Seller In A Private Transaction Misrepresented Product And Admitted To It. Grounds For Small Claims Court?

Location: Kansas - Lawrence.

Curious to hear the people's thoughts on this.

I recently bought an expensive item ($3,000 grill) that was about 1 hour from me. The seller made multiple claims about the item being brand new and unused as they were not able to use it in their new home. She pointed out one ding on the bottom of the grill and that was it. As she was an hour drive from me, I specifically asked if everything was included with the grill that came with it, and she said "yes, everything that came with the grill, including all accessories and manuals, is included. we have never used this grill". This is all in writing.

When I went to pick it up, I was slightly disappointed with the condition of the grill. Despite it being "brand new", it had multiple scratches and whatnot from clearly sitting for a while. Irrelevant, though, as I looked it over and accepted it, paid her in cash, and left.

Once I got home and began disassembling it, I noticed a piece inside of the grill was missing. I messaged her about it and she said "my husband told me he lost it a while ago but forgot to mention it". This is also in writing. No apology, no attempt at rectifying the issue. I contacted the manufacturer and the part is $400 to replace. I messaged her again asking if we could split the cost of the replacement as I would not have purchased the grill had I known this was missing, but she hasn't responded.

I'm wondering if there are grounds for a small claims case here. As I see it:

Things working against me:

• Private sale, caveat emptor (buyer beware)
• I had an opportunity to inspect it

Things working for me:

• Seller admitted in writing that they had lost it and didn't mention it, as well as mentioned in writing that everything was included
• The missing part was not really evident on the inspection available to me as it was inside of the grill, and it doesn't seem reasonable to have to disassemble a grill at someone's house before buying it.
• I offered to split the difference in a gesture of good will given it was her mistake, which I imagine would look favorable for me in small claims court.

Fortunately, she is very easily identifiable online and I would have no issue filing a smalls claim court against her. The money isn't a huge deal, I'm more annoyed about the principle of her openly acknowledging they lost the part, no apology/attempt at correcting her mistake, and then ignoring me afterward. Thoughts? Opinions?