returns not being returned

I'm having a bit of a dither and would welcome some advice.

I have 2 returns currently open, one for a change of mind and the other for a SNAD, both have bene open for around 2 weeks. The change of mind one was to be returned at the buyers own cost and for the SNAD I clicked on 'allow ebay to send a label at xx cost'. The status of both currently show as 'Waiting for buyer to post item'

Both time out in just over a weeks' time when unfortunately I am on holiday.

I don't really have any worries about the change of mind, I often find they don't come back- and assuming it is returned and the status changes to show buyer has posted it, I will just refund as I will have intermittent internet access. If it doesn't come back I will wit until I get home and get ebay to close it.

My worry is around the SNAD, it was an expensive item and the alleged damage is very minor so I want it back as it can be resold at a cheaper price - I'm just concerned that buyer can't see the label and is sitting waiting for it to time out so he can escalate and get a refund without returning it. I have been on to live chat and ebay say a label was definitely sent and that buyer can't now get a refund without return- but I don't trust ebay. If I were at home I'd just phone on the day it times out and get it closed- but that isn't going to be possible where I'm staying as I have infrequent telephone signal and certainly not enough to wait for ebay to check things out while I hold.

Has anyone else had a recent return, or does anyone currently have an open one- and did it change when item was returned?

I had thought perhaps to add something to the cases reminding them that items haven't been returned- but the SNAD was not the easiest of people to deal with and I would prefer to let this just stay as it is- as long as I'm in no danger.