My new eBay account got suspended for no reason, $145 eBay gift card forfeited.

Full story, and I used real info when I signed up.

I got on eBay for the first time in over 20 years. My old account info (good standing) was long gone. I purchased a vintage watch using a guest account. I then converted that to a regular account (new). This first watch arrived and I was happy with it. Then I got an e-mail that my account was suspended. I called them, and they reinstated my account. The agent said the problem was I was using a VPN. I explained I used public Wi-Fi at coffee shops for internet, and use a VPN for privacy protection. I said I would stop using a VPN while using eBay, but I use public Wi-Fi for internet. The agent didn't identify this as a problem.

I then bought another vintage watch. The second watch never arrived. Shipping was initiated with a tracking number, but it never showed up, and the seller never disputed that (and they didn't reply to my messages to them). I applied for a refund, and got one without issue. I had purchased the second watch with an eBay gift card. I got the gift card at a drug store, and put $145 on it ($144.60 for the watch/shipping). EBay put the refund back on the gift card, so it's back to a $145 balance. Then eBay suspended my account again, and this time they wouldn't specify a reason on chat or on phone calls. I made two phone calls. They won't reinstate my account, or tell me why it was suspended. During the second phone call, the agent said she doesn't have access to see why my account was suspended. She asked if I used VPNs or public Wi-Fi, which I confirmed, and I mentioned the previous suspension from a month ago, and that I stopped using a VPN while on eBay, but still use public Wi-Fi at coffee shops. She said she was just asking because that can cause problems. She also said she sees a flag for purchasing high risk items. I explained I only used buy-it-now on two vintage watches, and hadn't done any bidding. She didn't reply. She just repeated she doesn't have access to the reason my account was permanently suspended.

They won't give me a refund on the gift card!!! How do they think they can get away with that??? The gift card can't be used with a different account, as it's already been used with this one. The last agent (phone call, the same agent as above) said she "understands" my position, but said that nearly every state's laws, including mine, doesn't require them to refund gift cards that can't be used because an account was permanently suspended. I can't believe this. I am writing the statutory agent on record (eBay is registered in California), asking for a refund, and including a statement that I intend to sue them for the refund.None of this makes any sense. Actually thinking they can get away with stealing $145 from someone. Wow.

Thoughts? Suggestions?

(I tried making this a new post, but a moderator says this isn't about Flipping. I searched eBay for relevant posts, and found several here... Such as this one.)