There was no such thing as protection in 2003 but I still lost money.

[Shandley]

I am going to assume I am out of luck but back in 2003, I shelled out quite a penny for something on eBay and paid via Paypal. I never received the item and I didn't hear anything back from the seller when I sent them messages. In 2003, I do not believe I had any recourse. It was near the beginning of the whole eBay and Paypal era.

Is there anything I can do about it now?