When an account hasn't gone through PayPal's verification process, this is called an Unverified PayPal account. Newly registered accounts start out as unverified accounts until they go through the process set out by PayPal for verification. Although verification is recommended by PayPal, especially to sellers, this is not a stated requirement, per say. If using PayPal for accepting or sending payments, you can still do so without having your PayPal account verified. However, certain limitations are set for Unverified accounts and at some point, the owner of the unverified account will be let's say forced to verify their account, else it will be almost useless. Bottom line, an unverified account may be permitted a couple of transactions, after that they will have to verify their account regardless of the limit amounts they think they have.
If you cannot communicate with the seller, you should consider opening a dispute requesting a refund to get their attention. You have 45 days from the date of the purchase to do so. If after opening the dispute, still no contact from the seller, escalate the dispute to a claim. You have 20 days to do that from the date of the dispute. Note, if you don't escalate the dispute to a claim, PayPal assumes you were able to settle your problem and will close the dispute. Once a dispute is closed, it cannot be reopened.
