iD Mobile - missing phone

SalopHatter

I recently ordered an new iPhone from iD mobile. The courier was DPD and on the day of delivery I had a 'sorry we missed you' email saying the delivery would be re-scheduled for the next day -despite the fact I was at home AND the photo on the DPD delivery page showed my next door neighbour's drive! 
The parcel was delivered the following day; when we opened the package - which wasn't obviously tampered with - the iPhone box was empty. The box had two 'security tabs' on it but wasn't covered in the usual cellophane wrapping. 
I contacted iD mobile - they apparently asked DPD to investigate and have now returned to say that "DPD have said they are not liable because the package wasn't tampered with so you'll have to take out a civil action against DPD" :-(
I am at my wits end; through no fault of my own I have no phone, which I have paid towards, am already paying for a new contract and iD Mobile seem to be completely washing their hands of it. 
Can anyone offer any advice on next steps? Thanks so much in advance.

tightauldgit

Not sure why iD are saying you need to take action against DPD - DPD is their contractor not yours. 

Risk doesn't pass to you on an online order until you have taken possession of the item ordered so your rights and any claim should be against the seller who have not provided what you ordered. 

If the item has gone missing within DPD it's iD's problem not yours. 

I would write to iD and remind them of the above and request either a replacement phone or a full refund. If they say no then the next steps would be legal ones.