Well, I normally wouldn't reply to my own post, but this news merits it...
My replacement laser from Lasever arrived today! (sounds of cheering)
I unpacked it and immediately hooked it up. Oh no! Divergence is awfull. Spot on the wall just 15 feet away is larger than an inch in diameter! (sounds of crying and gnashing of teeth...)
But wait! the lens on the front is adjustable. (yeah, he sent me another MR series head, not the U series head that he originally said he would be sending.) So I carefully adjust the forward lens, and after about 3 full turns the divergence is back to a more reasonable level. (sounds of cheering again)
So it looks like Lasever wasn't out to scam me - they were just busy and forgot to send the laser. I will of course do a detailed set of tests on this new laser before I install it in my projector, though those tests will have to wait until I have some more free time. Maybe later this week. I'll keep you posted.
Adam