Who claims from Royal Mail for a lost parcel?

[CloserLook]

Just want to confirm this although I'm fairly sure it's right.

I was chasing up some parcels from ebay sellers earlier as the 2nd Class post seems very delayed where I am. One seller got a little bit indignant (although I explained I was only asking for the tracking/reference number as it was sent Signed For and wasn't disputing that he had posted the item) and said about sending the receipt so I could claim off Royal Mail. I replied that it was a bit early for claiming the item as lost as it's only been a week but in any case it would be them as the seller who has to claim as they posted the item.

Am I right in saying this? When I was still selling on ebay if an item got lost the seller would refund the full cost to the buyer then put in a claim to Royal Mail themselves. Has this changed now?

the seller does - it is their responsibility to get the item to the buyer. They have the contract with them so they must claim. An item is not considered lost until 15 working days (3 weeks) have passed.

I would imagine that the person who sent the item would have to do the claim as they would have the receipt and all the relevant information required.

Thanks. That's what I thought. I never asked for a refund or anything, just the tracking number as it was sent Signed For. It was only posted on the 10th and I'm sure it's just delayed in the Christmas post. Think I just caught the seller at a bad moment!

You would need to raise a dispute with ebay - the seller responds (with details of the tracking number if necessary). If you still haven't received the item within a specified date given by eBay you can escalate the case - in most cases they will refund you directly anyway and the seller will have to make the claim against Royal Mail.
(But Probably different if the tracking note shows that the parcel was delivered with a signature.)