Seller refusing to communicate after admitting fault for damaged goods-am I still covered by paypal?

[licorice.allsorts]

Can anyone help me with this issue?  I purchased an antique statue which when it arrived was so damaged that it would not stand upright.  The seller had wrapped it so that the brass base had split during transit - but from the extent of the damage, the base would have had to have been damaged prior to shipping.  The base actually looked had been cut with some metal cutters.   I found that the rest of the statue was also in poor condition and not what the description indicated. As soon as I found the damage, I emailed the seller complete with 3 xphotos.  I then emailed him 5 more photos.  The seller has not being helpful and "has been investigating" the issue since I first contacted him.  I have asked for a refund and want to return the item at no cost to me.  He is now not communcating with me at all.  I have opened a case with the seller but my question is, will I still be covered by Paypal if the seller decides not to communicate with me further (and refund my money?)

[lyndal1838]

You don't open a case with the seller......now that you have notified the seller of the problem and have found them unhelpful you need to open a dispute in ebay to return the item at no cost to you.....if the seller wants it back.

If that dispute fails for some reason (unlikely IMO) you can then open a paypal dispute but will definitely have to send the item back at your ouw expense to get the refund.