Not to stick up too much for gospeedde, but this seller was obviously keyword spamming, and then didn't have the sense to try to provide the slightest degree of positive customer service for $2.49.
I'd think if you were violating ebay policies, you'd at LEAST have the sense to be cooperative over a concern about a $.99 auction item. Sheesh, cut gospeedde a check for $2.49 and be done with it.
I think in most circumstances your negative would have been out of line, but this seller did violate eBay selling policies. The neg back from the seller is obviously retaliatory.
I'd contact eBay if I were you. And yes, ALWAYS read each listing as if you were a lawyer.