When a returned item is not as it was sold

[peterpn]

What recourse does a seller have if the item returned is not in the same condition as when it was sold

[simba6]

Almost none. You can report the buyer. If ebay receives enough such reports, they will remove them from the buyer protection plan.  You can try a call to ebay. Click the help and contact link at bottom of page.  Just don't expect too much.