I won an item, the seller has sent an EMPTY box, no item enclosed. What do I do?

[greywagtail7191]

I won an item on Ebay.  The seller has sent to an EMPTY box without my item in it.  I have messaged them twice but no response.  I can tell that the box has not been tampered with as the sellotape around the box is underneatheth the Post Office signed for label.  What is the best way of dealing with this problem.  

[arkwebus]

Do not start messaging the seller either now or when you have opened the "not as described" case.

Please read all the other messages.  It may be that the seller has simply made a mistake and in which case he will - presumably - simply send the contents.  What were they?

If not then he should send you a label through the case and when you return the box will refund you.  If not [and do not enter into any discussion] then escalate the case after 8 full days.  You get one chance; do not close any case on a promise from a seller or accept his assurance that he cannot send a refund with the case not closed by you

@greywagtail7191 

[greywagtail7191]

Many thanks for your advice. I will open a not as described case. I hope they have just forgotten to pop it in the box. If not, I have read that when you return the empty box (which is what I actually received) to the seller, they then accuse you of returning an empty box with no item in it. What then? Just hoping it was simply a mistake.