Update-
i have officially completely won the situation as a seller on ebay, a seemingly rare victory but maybe ebay is getting better
now as im sure this may happen in the future if this happens to someone else in a similar issue here are the steps i took to win (i think)
first i tried to settle with the buyer, it failed
then i authorized a return- once i got it the refund was automatically given (this scared me at first)
i noticed the buyer switched my item out with a broken one and confronted him-he denied it
i then called ebay about the issue and told them about it, i was told to appeal it
i followed the instructions they gave me .
i created very detailed pics and comparisons of the 2 pedals, one he switched and one we sent. you could see them above, 2 different versions prob different year model,
i also sent my pics i used for the posting and the one he sent me as well as a detailed paragraph on what i deduced happened.
submitted all of this in an organized way to ebay
the next day i learned i won
so basically as a seller it is known you face a uphill battle vs buyers but you can still win
i think it was several factors
-my emails with the buyer, (i was complimented by ebay for remaining professional and think that was important)
-my photo documentation- though i could have included a packaging video also which would help me greatly next time if so
-call ebay, this at least shows i am determined if anything, its easy to lie i n email, its a little harder to lie on the phone, so i think the effort helped
-working with the buyer, i let them return it, even though i knew it was a scam, do it, you can gather much better evidence this --way and ebay likes you to work with them
most impotently HAVE LUCK ! go pick some 4 leaf clovers before you start a scam war
if anyone else is seller scammed i hope you can use this to save yourself
oh and the ebayer mav7385
http://www.ebay.com/usr/mav7385 strangely positive feedback, confused me the whole time, though if he ever won with scams over ebay you cant bad feedback them (if i lost i couldnt say he scammed me and negitive him ) so this could by why i won so i may have to change that and submit my lovely experience to his rating