You could cover your bases in every way imaginable (video/photo proof, messages, recipts, etc.) & still have them side against you if a buyer is trying to scam & knows what they're doing. In your case you were lucky that it was so long after the receipt of item, that was most likely the main thing you had going for you. If the buyer had tried that within a week of receiving the item I'd be willing to bet ebay/paypal would not have sided in your favor.
My advice to anyone selling on there: proceed with extreme caution.
x 1 million.
story:
sold overkill EQTs on ebay
buyer claimed i put some ratty nike dunks in there (posted pictures to file claim)
i showed ebay my packaging pictures AND packaging videos
ebay didn't accept either...
ebay processed the return for buyer
buyer sends me back box , while my money is locked from paypal
I open the package and find some BOAT SHOES
i submit photos of boat shoes to ebay
ebay makes me sign affidavit
I get refunded the money that frozen.... and no i do not know if that money was from the buyer's account, or if ebay just paid me to shut me up.
in this lengthly process of about 30 days, i sent so many documents over to ebay, found evidence online of the same buyer (real name) who scammed another NT member, and even contacted another ebay member and showed transcripts that he got scammed, and ended up getting those ratty dunks sent to him....