Ebay refund but item not returned

[boyse7en]

I bought a thermostat for my kit car and when it arrived it was the wrong size. Contacted the seller (sounds like a small online business other than a private individual) and they apologised and said "Sorry to hear you have the wrong thermostat I think it’s my mistake I must supplied you with the standard size unit.
I should be able to confirm whats happened once I have a look at the paperwork.
I will of course sort the correct one out and try and get it in the post ASAP for you I do apologise for the mishap but hopefully we can get it sorted quite quickly for you."

I sent them a photo and measurement of the old and new thermostats and didn't hear anything back. Messaged again and no reply.
Worried that I might run out of time (plus I wanted the thermostat) I started an eBay return, saying that the item was the wrong size.
Ebay asked me to return the item at my expense, so I boxed it up and put it to one side until I go into town.
Within about a half hour I had a notification from eBay that I had received a refund, but I haven't even posted the item back yet.
Because the refund has been issued, I can't get to the "print out the return label" page on eBay, so I don't have an address to return it too. The seller isn't answering messages either.

I'm worried that my refund will be retracted if I don't return the item within the specified time limit, but I'm not sure where to go from here. Any advice?

[Jimmy No Hands]

Has the seller issued the refund themselves? I believe they can do this - if so, I doubt it can be retracted and they are just hoping (or not too bothered) that you'll return the other one. Usually the refunds through eBay take some time unless the seller steps in.. I think?

[TwigtheWonderkid]

Some sellers seem not to want the hassle of a return. I bought a large cover for some garden furniture. It arrived with a small tear. I contacted the seller and said the item was just what I needed, but has a small tear, was happy to return it if they sent me a postage label to download, and didn't want a refund, just a replacement.

Next thing my money has been returned, and no further communication. So I left it a while and when I heard no more, I sewed up the tear!

[boyse7en]

Jimmy No Hands said:

Has the seller issued the refund themselves? I believe they can do this - if so, I doubt it can be retracted and they are just hoping (or not too bothered) that you'll return the other one. Usually the refunds through eBay take some time unless the seller steps in.. I think?

I think so. It happened with hours of requesting a return.

"You've received a refund for this item
Hello xxxxx,
The seller has refunded you GBP 20.49 for NEW FORD PINTO 82 DEGREE THERMOSTAT. It should be available within your original funding source."

Paypal was my original funding source, and it is showing there.

[akirk]

can you not still message the buyer via the 'ask a question about this item' option - if so, then ping them a message saying thank you for the refund what would you like me to do about returning the item!

[mcflurry]

boyse7en said:

I think so. It happened with hours of requesting a return.

"You've received a refund for this item
Hello xxxxx,
The seller has refunded you GBP 20.49 for NEW FORD PINTO 82 DEGREE THERMOSTAT. It should be available within your original funding source."

Paypal was my original funding source, and it is showing there.

By the time the seller has paid for the return, has the ballache of relisting, plus the time to sort it, they may have thought it's easier to pay the £20 and close the case?

[shtu]

In the past I've had a few small items refunded and the seller said to not bother returning the item. Fair enough.

For low-cost stuff, probably not worth the effort of restocking, cost is probably built into the original price, and the goodwill is worth as much.