Lost in post? Where do I stand?

[Moodykat]

I bought a toy for my DS and paid Saturday 10th. It didn't arrive last week so I messages the seller who said it should have arrived and she would contact the post office. I paid for recorded delivery.
Today (after another 2 messages to her with no reply) she messaged back to say that the post office can't help her, won't tell her where the parcel is etc. She says it has "cost her time and money" but there is no mention of a refund or anything. Where do I stand in this situation?
TIA.

I've had this before and the seller advised me that you have to wait 3 weeks before the PO will acknowledge the loss. I did wait, the seller then refunded me, and the item turned up a couple of days later!! I was so happy with the seller's attitude that I gave him great feedback (I didn't keep the refund by the way). I'm now in the opposite situation with someone who is saying that my item didn't reach them. I've offered a refund because she's been waiting over a month. You can raise a dispute with eBay but this should be a last resort. I would wait another week or so before requesting a refund.

You can claim your money back on the basis that the item hasn't arrived (not sure of timescales). It's up to them to claim back from the post office. If it was sent recorded they should have a tracking number which will tell you where it is.

Yes if it is by recorded delivery there must be some sort of tracking number.

Yes, you have to wait 3 weeks before you can raise a query/missing item form with the PO - but for recorded mail there should be a tracking number (though RM can't actually track recorded items .

The onus is on the seller to either refund you now or query ROyal Mail about it in 3 weeks, then refund you. Either way, you get a refund.

The liability rests with seller. It is his/her responsibility to ensure delivery.