Have I lost out?

spud17

On the Saturday 2nd of January I bought an item from Ebay, £2.99 + £3.10 postage, Royal Mail 2nd Class, from a business seller with an estimated delivery Saturday 9th January.
I wasn't worried when it didn't turn up on the estimated date.
On Monday 11th I received a text from Yodel saying my delivery was on it's way.
When I checked the tracking link it showed as item delivered at 11.06 am, signature required.
That evening I got home to find nothing, no card through the door, checked the garden, in and around the wheelie bins, my neighbours are either retired or WFH none of them had seen or had anything for me.
I fully trust all my neighbours.
I contacted the seller politely asking if the could look in to it, but they have not yet replied after 48 hours.
I suspect I've lost out because the tracking will show as delivered.
Do I have any leverage because the seller switched delivery methods? 

KxMx

Have you tried the tracking since? 

Occasionally for a delivery I've received a parcel number which showed as delivered straight away because it was a historical number, which hadn't quite yet been recycled onto my parcel within the system. 

spud17

I've checked the tracking several times. 
Also I've checked the garden, bins, neighbours and even the water butt.
Latest,

cymruchris

Can you contact yodel to ask them where it was delivered? Most carriers register gps these days for each delivery - but not sure if yodel do. They might have a photo on file of where it was left. 

theonlywayisup

You will lose a case for INR (item not received) if you open one, but you should still do so and tell the seller that you want them to dispute delivery.  When the case closes in their favour you need to appeal it.  

spud17

cymruchris said:

Can you contact yodel to ask them where it was delivered? Most carriers register gps these days for each delivery - but not sure if yodel do. They might have a photo on file of where it was left. 

I'm pretty sure that Yodel won't have anything to do with me, their contract is with the seller, not me.

spud17

theonlywayisup said:

You will lose a case for INR (item not received) if you open one, but you should still do so and tell the seller that you want them to dispute delivery.  When the case closes in their favour you need to appeal it.  

Thanks for confirming, I thought that's what would happen.
Thanks especially for the second part about asking the seller to dispute delivery.
I suppose they don't have to dispute delivery, I can only ask.
Any suggestions on time scale?
Do I have any come back because at purchase delivery was RM, no options, but it seem to have been sent using Yodel?
Just to add, I've searched everywhere and questioned neighbours again each evening after work the last 2 days. 

GabbaGabbaHey

So you paid for delivery by Royal Mail, but the problematic delivery was by Yodel?

Somebody more knowledgable than me may be able to say whether you could dispute it because of that.

spud17

GabbaGabbaHey said:

So you paid for delivery by Royal Mail, but the problematic delivery was by Yodel?

Somebody more knowledgable than me may be able to say whether you could dispute it because of that.

That's the only wriggle room I can think of, as you say, needs someone with a bit more knowledge.

soolin

It’s not going to help with an INR unfortunately. It is poor practice to just change a delivery method without asking, or at least telling the buyer first, but delivery confirmation is all that matters for an INR.  A lot of sellers are opting for couriers instead of Royal Mail at the moment, I did it myself before Christmas as half the things I  sent by RM just disappeared or were taking weeks to arrive, but a message to the buyer first is always recommended. 

spud17

Thanks soolin.
I should be in bed and asleep, but thought I'd just check in.
Another thing, should tracking details have been uploaded at dispatch? 
I'm sure other sellers have emailed dispatch confirmations with a tracking link.
All I've had from the seller is the "we got your order" email. The first I knew about an alternative delivery was the text Monday morning from Yodel.