Item hasn't arrived, tracking number is wrong!

[CTgirl]

Hi, this is my first thread on MN although I've lurked on here for a while! Also fairly new to ebay.
I recently bought an item of clothing (fairly low value) and paid straight away via paypal. Seller marked it as dispatched 5 days later via recorded 1st class. I haven't received the item and never got a card through the letterbox. I've been buying a few other things on ebay and from other online places and have so far received everything. A week after the dispatch date I contacted the seller and she was friendly and seemed concerned. I went to local delivery office (twice) and asked them to check and re-check that the item wasn't sitting there.
I've also tried using the RM track & trace but the tracking number given by the seller is missing a digit (only has 12 letters & numbers as opposed to 13).
I last heard from the seller on Sunday evening who said she would look into it on Monday. Its now been just over 2 weeks since it was dispatched and I've emailed the seller twice since Sunday asking for an update of the situation. Haven't heard anything back from her.
Should I be more patient & give it a few more days or should I claim a repayment from paypal now and open a case against her (not sure if I have to do the latter - I'd rather not get into a negative situation, just want the item or my money back!!)
Thanks for any advice.

She has failed. Simple as. Either she maintains contact and provides you with the correct tracking number, or you need to open a dispute. She can't leave you negative feedback, it is her that will suffer not you. It doesn't have to get into a negative situation. You are simply asking her to do what she said she would.

I suggest you email her asking again for the correct tracking number, give her a deadline to reply, stating if no reply by then you will be left with no choice but to open a dispute. And do it - it doesn't matter how low the value was, it was your money and she has not provided you with the proper information. She can't be held responsible for a lost in post item but she does have a responsibilty to provide proof of posting, if she has said that she will send it by Recorded Delivery.

She may have been hoping that if she laid low you'd go away, or she may have been ill and unable to get online this last week - but neither of those scenarios are your problem so don't feel bad about giving her one last (polite but firm) chance to sort it out. I have had similar trouble in the past with sellers and they will, eventually, resolve the issue but sometimes they REALLY need a kick up the butt to do it!

Hope that helps!

Thanks mrswoz, that is helpful as it confirms what I was starting to think.

I'm still not certain as to whether I should start a dispute now and give her a few days to respond before escalating it to a claim or should I email her first with a deadline before starting the process through paypal.

Obviously I am feeling very impatient and annoyed so not sure how long I should give her to reply - 24 hours/ 48hrs/longer?? Actually, I don't think I have much longer as this all has to be done within 20 days of payment I think(?)

Arggh, aggravation which I just don't need!

If I were you I would start the dispute now - you have been more than patient to be honest.

You have 45 days to start a dispute - but if she hasn't been in touch for nearly a week I would just start the claim now.

Do as fergoose says open an item not received dispute either via the eBay Resolution Centre or PayPal, if via PayPal escalate to a claim immediately.

Thanks for the advice everyone. I have now started a dispute with Paypal and escalated it to a claim. They are reviewing it and will let me know in the next 3 days. Is this the normal course of events?