A seller will open an Unpaid Item case in order to get the selling fee credited back to their Ebay account. If they close the case as 'paid' (the only option apart from 'unpaid'), they won't get it back, so I imagine the seller simply assumed that, under the circumstances, Ebay would remove the UI strike on request (which they will), hence their lack of response. Or perhaps they never received your message/s - Ebay's message system can be glitchy.
Whatever, be aware that one UI strike won't hurt you, so don't worry about it. It's only if you get a second one that problems will arise (you won't be able to buy from the many sellers who have their accounts set to block buyers with 2+ Unpaid Item strikes in 12 months).
But if you really want this one removed, you need to speak with Ebay (they won't see your post as no-one from Ebay ever comes here). But as this is outside of standard support issues (not something agents in The Philippines will find on their scripts), use Request-a-callback, and preferably first thing in the morning, as you'll have a better chance of being called by an agent in Dublin (and therefore someone with a full grasp of English). Ask to speak with a supervisor if you need to.
@triumph-vitesse
