I believe i am being scammed

Locked

Discussion interactions are currently paused.

Please help....
I bought an item that showed a 5-7 days delivery. 48hrs Tracked royal mail.
Upon sale, seller took 24 hrs before dispatch.
I checked tracking and eBay showed Yodel.....

Fri 20 Feb
8:20pm
Your parcel is at our national hub
HATFIELD TERMINAL
Sun 15 Feb
7:48pm
We have your parcel. Please check back for updates
YODEL
Sat 14 Feb
6:44pm
Your parcel is on its way to Yodel. Please check back for updates
YODEL
Fri 13 Feb
6:41pm
We're expecting your parcel from your sender. We will provide updates here once we receive it
SWANSEA SERVICE CENTRE (YODEL)
Sat 14 Feb
9:36am
Tracking number provided

Now I live in Swansea. I was shocked. Checked item listing to see seller is in Italy.
I was confused. Why is my local Yodel office listed when it shouldn't even be here
I checked delivery time and it showed up to 10 days.
Now i know some sellers put long times on here just in case there are problems but i was convinced i would have it within a week.
Its now 10 days and it now shows it could be up to 10th March, that is 28 days.
I would never have ordered if id seen a month.

I've messaged seller on the 18th, no reply, 19th and asked for refund.

Today seller messaged me and said they'll update me shortly. That was 9 hours ago.

It seems i cant contact eBay for advise until the full 28 days expires.
Im worried seller will have disappeared by then, with my money.
I cant claim on Paypal either as i bought on eBay with buyer protection.
how can i use this protection before seller closes account or whatever?