Unscrupulous ebay buyers

@dill yes, i opened it up and had a look, appears same, but i mean they all do...it was new. Does not appear damaged, but i cannot be certain without first mounting/aligning it and listening etc, which I don’t have time for. It does not appear as though he followed proper channels to return. There is seemingly no case opened and no ebay interaction. I have already previously messaged him, indicating that should it be returned, I would refuse it and send it back. Whether I follow through or not has not been decided...

I understand your frustration, however DO NOT send it back to him unless eBay instructs you to do so, they won't. Your account from eBay will be debited the refund amount. You have come across an a**hole buyer, it happens. I would list it here, AudioMart or Audio Asylum Trader as an open box as a next to new cartridge with less than 5 hours. Check the cantilever with a loupe to make sure it is straight and the diamond is intact.

OP - Here’s another thing to consider - although the buyer sent it back without opening a case, he may still be able to open a case of “did not match description.”  My guess is that if you don’t refund him, he will open one, whether you send it back or not.  Hold on to that cartridge until it’s resolved!

The Buyer Protection is the precedent over all sellers wants.

The only safeguard for the Seller is a Bank Transfer or Cash on Collection Payment.

I only sell using this as the Payment Method, a buyer takes a longer time to come forward but I have never not sold.

What I don't do is encourage is the mis-use of the Buyer Protection Scheme that can be put in place.

The methods for a certain type of Buyer to create a mis-use seemingly grows daily.

I suspect from drawing on known of experiences others have had to endure, that your Cart' sent,  is not the one being returned, and the Buyer will be remunerated for their efforts along the way.

Ebay has a lot to answer for with this as the too regularly seen outcome of their Protection methods. 

The Protection Period strangely, covers period that will enable a Holiday or Refurbishment to take place, the method almost works as a Free Hire Period, or Free Parts Donor Model for a Buyer.

Only a Bank Transfer or Cash on Collection will protect the seller from such a intention for their goods.   

Years ago a friend of mine shipped a VCR on Ebay.  The buyer took pictures of a box with a brick in it.  Said he was ripped off by the seller.  Guess who got screwed? 

I never sell big $$ items on Ebay.  As an added negative their fees are just to crazy high anyway.