Ebay decided to make refund made but item not returned!

[EastMids2]

Buyer requested a refund on basis of shirt being the wrong size, despite listing clearly stating size together with photo of label. OK fine, I replied giving address etc for a return of goods and if received in original condition, a full refund would be made.

A week later I had a message from Ebay advising they had refunded the buyer (although previous message said "wait for item to be returned"). Nothing received and buyer ignoring my correspondence asking for confirmation of return. So I don't have the shirt back, yet buyer has refund. How is that fair? Can I do anything? Really cross with this situation so any advice much appreciated.

What was the reason for the buyer wanting to return the shirt. Did they say it didn’t fit, or did they say it was mis described by you? Ie listed as a 14 when it was much smaller when they tried it on?

Ebay always side with the buyer. I had this last year but with a significant electrical item. The idiot who bought it said it was broken, but he hadn't actually plugged it in to charge it. This was also in my advert! EBay coughed up and I had to pay returns postage. He didn't post it but bought postage anyway. He then stopped responding and ebay kept trotting out patronising repeat emails about how I should make better adverts. I closed my account. I asked a cop friend about the theft and fraud (because that's what it was) and he said there was nothing they could do.