Fee for unable to ship item

[nycdoc60]

I listed an item for $400. It sold. When I prepared item for pick up I discovered that part was missing. Contacted buyer and told him. He canceled sale (appropriately) eBay now wants me to pay over $51 dollars for the cancelled sale. That’ a 25 per cent fee. I have now asked to see the policy multiple times with ZERO response. Does anyone know what the policy is?

[rfmtm]

Only you can cancel the transaction and if you selected "buyer request" as the reason there will be no fees or penalty.  Sounds like you selected the wrong reason, if buyer did in fact ask to cancel.