What a bummer, which is why I HATE Evilbay.
Try calling Ebay around 8am (I think Sunday it's 9am at weekends) to get Dublin call centre. Listen out for the accent. If you get anywhere else - USA, Germany, Albania, Phillipines etc. DON'T bother, they just read from scripts and haven't a clue.
I had a pig of a job confirming my ID details (didn't want to give them ALL to them but had to in the end to get my account back up and running). It was finally resolved when I spoke to the 'Leadership Team', so worth asking for them if you get through to Dublin.
Try and gather the important details and evidence together and keep it concise.
The photos of him 'returning' the box are meaningless. Where are his photos to show what was IN the box, and as it was sealed up?
(The photo itself is ambiguous and could be seen as the parcel being handed TO him, and not FROM him?).
Why has he not provided the tracking number or proof of postage? Has he uploaded it on his Ebay account that Ebay can see, even if you can't?
It looks like he arranged a RM collection, in which case he will have received an email with a reference number tracking number, date, collection address, delivery address etc.
in the details (not sure how long RM keeps the information for though).
Ebay were wrong to advise you to refund it BEFORE you got the item back but Advisors seem to tell you what you want to hear anyway, half of the time.
I think once a refund is paid, Ebay see that as the end of the matter and close the case.
A pity they didn't suggest asking the Buyer to send photos of the supposed 'damage' to it. That way you could have tried to compare it with your own photos to see if it was the SAME landspeeder.
I have had a quick look at your original For Sale post on here and can't see any glued bits - but then my eyes ain't what they used to be. Have you studied them in close-up at all?
If you do end up going down the small claims route, I think you have to send a 'letter before legal action' as courts like to see that you have tried to resolve it BEFORE issuing proceedings. Best to send it by recorded delivery and maybe also a second 'back-up' by usual post with 'proof of postage' in case he refuses the first one.
Give him time to reply before going proceeding.
It might just scare him into
I'm not sure how much it costs - have seen £35 mentioned somewhere - so it might not be worth it in this instance? Though I know it is the PRINCIPLE that counts for most people more than getting any money back, if at all.
With any luck Ebay will refund you with a 'gesture of goodwill' if you push them - though of course that means the 'bar-steward' will have got away with it.
Good luck with whatever you decide