Not such a good outcome for me.

I contacted eBay Australia to confirm I had until 29 December to finalise this case with the buyer.  eBay Australia stated that I had tracking that showed delivery on LaPoste and suggested I write to them with the details and they would forward my message to eBay France to confirm that the tracking would satisfy their seller protection.  In my message I was clear that I would refund the buyer prior to 29th if tracking was insufficient. At no stage did I request escallation - just clarifiaction.  So eBay France receive the message and immediately resolve the dispute in the buyers favour and issue me with the defect as I did not resolve the case and that tracking did not show delivery.

So I ring eBay Australia who can do nothing as the case is now closed.  I eventually convinced the Customer Services Officer to read my email and to listen to the recording of my telephone conversation with their rep. who told me to take this course of action.  They have agreed to lodge an appeal on my behalf.  I am not holding my breathe as common sense and reasonableness are nowhere to be found in eBay guidelines.

What a mess.