When to escalate a Paypal dispute to a claim?

Welshlassie

I bought a new dress off ebay just over 2 weeks ago. When it arrived it was damaged and not repairable so I emailed the seller (through ebay) saying it was damaged and asking if she had any more as there were a couple for sale when I bought mine. She said she didn't but if I returned it she would refund the purchase price and postage costs.

Fair play I thought so I sent the dress back recorded delivery straight away, this was a week last Monday. By last Friday the post office had tried to deliver but had had to take it back to the sorting office, it was sat there for 3 days, so I emailed her saying I had sent it back recorded delivery and when could I expect my refund - I've had no response.

The package was collected on Saturday so by Tuesday I would have expected her to refund me, but nothing.

Tuesday 1 May I started a Paypal dispute explaining that I hadn't heard anything from her. She hasn't responded to the dispute so far, so my question is how long is it realistic to wait before I escalate it to a claim?? and am I being unreasonable in my timescales and expectations??
Thanks

user051105

Start a claim now, in my opinion the seller has probably emptied her account and there will be no funds for a refund, tell paypal the tracking information and they will see it has been signed for.

If they have emptied there account and theres no money available you could start a Small Court Claim against them