How do I get return shipping refunded from the seller?

[arara.us.wlta35]

I purchased an item internationally and the product arrived damaged. I'm not going to blame the seller for that as it could have easily been damaged during shipping. I contacted the seller for a refund and we went back and forth for a while about return shipping, since he was international he was unable to provide a label and agreed to refund me shipping costs once the item reached him. He accepted the return and also notified ebay he couldn't provide a return label and the message ebay sent me regarding that essentially said, "work it out with the seller". Return shipping cost me $60 tracked and insured. Ever since I shipped the item back he hasn't been responding to any messages and even when the item reached him he didn't refund me the item and I was forced to open a case. I've been messaging him to also provide compensation for the return shipping to no response. How do I get the seller to refund me the shipping costs?

[ste-9405]

You don't.

Seller sends money for return postage before you return, otherwise eBay will force a refund, no return needed.

[no_zero369]

Sorry to say, it but you got scammed by the seller.

For the future, read up on the Money Back Guarantee as one needs to follow the procedure exactly in order to be protected.

ebay-money-back-guarantee-policy 

I'll admit that from this chair, eBay's guidance to "work things out with your seller" first is an opening for an unscrupulous seller to pull this kind of scam on an unsuspecting buyer.

You might be able to call Customer Service and find the right person, that could review the emails between you and the seller, and issue you courtesy refund.

Never-the-less, please do the community (and future buyers)  a favor and report this seller.

Report Seller 

Find the blue button about half way down - Report Seller.