why is my refund still pending?

[IJC]

I ordered something off ebay and paid via paypal on the 5th.  It arrived smashed and the seller issued a refund on the 17th.  It's now the 23rd and the refund is still pending!  The money already came out of my bank account so it's not like it's waiting for that.  What is the problem?  AFAIK my email address is confirmed, also I've recieved refunds before without this problem.  What is going on?  This is intensely irritating.

[kernowlass]

@IJC

A seller can only issue a refund via funds in their paypal balance or an echeque.

So if its an echeque it has to clear through from the sellers bank account > paypal > and then it is credited to you and the hold lifted.