I've returned the item but the seller didn't refund

[djdelgadosantos]

I purchased some blackout curtains but the curtains were far from blackout.
I contacted the seller which organized the return label etc.
I sent the curtains more than a month ago and and the seller doesn't repply. I've sent the confirmation of the return. 
When went to ebay and started the refund process but it comes to the point where it says that I need to send it back yet I don't have the item anymore.
When trying to contact ebay I get the A.I. assistant which goes in loops and is anything but Intelligent 
What can I do? How to contact ebay? They just hide all their contact details

[tressygirl]

It seems that you did not follow the rules for sending an item back under eBay's 30 day MBG,  Money Back Guarantee policy.

Opening that case for item not as described,  it gives the seller 48  hours on receipt of their item,  to refund you,  through those case details.  If they don't,  you must escalate the case,  eBay step in and force the refund.

If you didn't follow the above,  and 30 days have passed, you are too late to claim from eBay,  as the case would have closed.

You need to now turn to payment provider for help with a refund.

@djdelgadosantos 

[djdelgadosantos]

Thank you,
That was a really quick reply.
I managed to speak to ebay thorugh the "call me back" option and they're going to process the refund.
All is sorted now but I learnt the lesson to always go through the normal ebay refund process and don't trust the seller. 

[arkwebus]

When something goes wrong do not contact the seller.  Simply use the eBay system and open a case as soon as possible.

That notifies eBay and the seller of the problem.  The seller sends a label which has tracking.  When the parcel is delivered to the seller they refund.  If the seller does not send the label or refund you escalate it to eBay. 

It may seem harsh - or even rude - not to contact the seller but in practice using the eBay system works quickly and almost automatically. 

@djdelgadosantos