Eric - As a long time seller on ebay I would say he didn't contact ebay because they wouldn't say anything over the phone, if he files a dispute all you have to do is ask for the cover back and then refund his money. Ebay wouldn't make you refund the purchase price without having the item returned. If he file a dispute you get to state your side of the story and if the guy can't tell the difference between a Cover and a full book of match's that is his problem not your.
Walt