The item I bought turned out to be stolen property I've had to return it to the manufacturer

[loweyboy]

I recently bought a Flue Gas Analyser. Paid by Company creditcard through Ebay.
After I received the item I tried to register the product with the manufacturer, they advised me it had been reported as stolen. I have since returned it to the manufacturer as required by law. and they have sent a letter confirming this was is a stolen item. 
I can't seem to find an appropriate route to request a refund from Ebay. The seller is no longer responding after claiming he didn't know it was stolen.
Any help gratefully received.

[jckl1957]

By law, you should have reported your purchase to the police and then handed the item to the police.

If you had reported this to the police, handed the item to them and got a crime number, you would be entitled to a full refund from the seller.

Do you have paperwork from the manufacturer confirming the item was stolen and the original crime number for that etc.  I would expect them to have been insured in the event of theft - perhaps as they now have their goods back, they should compensate you?

You can't do anything through Ebay as the Money Back Guarantee would require you to return an item you no longer have.

[**peaseblossom**]

eBay systems don't deal with that sort of issue.   You could try contacting ebay direct and see what they say.  You can request a callback on here:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/help/eua?id=5275&mkevt=1&mkpid

If no joy there ring your CC company and ask for a refund from them.

@loweyboy 

[loweyboy]

Hi, Yes I have a letter confirming the item is stolen property. Tools stolen from vans are rarely covered by insurance. With many tools being several years old and receipts usually handed over to accountants that can never find them when asked.  Kane International the manufacturer are trying to help tradesmen by returning expensive tools to their rightful owners ASAP to get them back earning money again. The Police can take years to process a simple tools theft with dozens of items usually which doesn't appear very high on their radar but is devastating for the unlucky tradesman.