Seller hasn't shipped in 5 whole days and isn't even replying to multiple messages at all.

[kellcha-76]

I wouldn't be surprised if they were dead or in a coma or whatever. Do I just have to wait until the end of the expected delivery date or is there any way to cancel/get a refund quicker?

[ypdc_dennis]

I had one of those last month. Took 10 days before they got around to shipping. I checked their feedback and discovered a few non-positives about slow shipping in the last few months, so I didn't bother trying to contact the seller. But I did mark down when the ebay guarantee would kick-in. 

I suspect many small sellers are not set up to deal with a sudden problem (death/illness/tornado/etc). So you could be right. 

Do check their feedback to see if there are any shipping/communication problems mentioned for the seller's sales.

-;-

[wilmcal0]

5 whole days???   Big deal!!

Does the seller have a listed handling time?

I'd look at that before going crazy and requesting refunds from PayPal and filing claims.

I have a 10 days listed handling time, it never takes me that long to ship, it's only there as a precaution due to arthritis, weather and public transit concerns.

[femmefan1946]

Did you pay through Paypal?
You can open an Item Not Received in the PP Resolution Centre, at the top of your account page under Activities,  at any time for 180 days from PAYMENT.

You can also start a chargeback, if you did not use PP as a processor, but card policies differ.