Help with buyer dispute: Automatically refunded before item is returned!!

[josh_test]

I am almost at my wits end. I feel so powerless, and $250 poorer.

I sold a new unlocked mobile phone to someone, who then complained that T-Mobile wouldn't activate it. I then tried to help the buyer with the phone, and I asked for the IMEI number. After many requests the buyer provided me with the IMEI number, and then I went on T-Mobile's site to prove the phone is fully compatible with T-Mobile, and provided a screenshot of the proof. 

Buyer then went dark, and I escalated the request to ebay. Not more than 5 MINUTES later eBay found for the buyer, asking buyer to return the item. 

I then heard no other news.

Today I received a message that my PayPal account has been debited for the purchase. I have not received the package, I didn't receive any tracking information, and yet eBay automatically debited my account. 

So I have no returned item, no tracking number or proof that the person even returned the phone, and I'm $250 poorer. What can I do? I feel like I'm being bullied and ripped off by both a dishonest seller, and eBay!

[iamonourside]

It is "silly" that ebay does not provide the tracking information for returns. But there is a way to track returns anyway, at least USPS.  Sign up for USPS  "informed delivery".  The return will be shown there as soon as the label is created, and you can see when and if the label is actually used.

Good for you to find the solution yourself! (and perfectly fine to mark as such!)