Should I open a not received case?

[HappierThanEverBefore]

Bought/paid for item on 3rd jan
Expected delivery date 9th jan

Shipping method is parcelforce 48 - guessing a 48hour courier.

Still no sign of the item & the seller hasn't provided tracking details although I've requested them

Yes of course you should open a case.

Opening a case will automatically give the seller a defect and affect their account.

They may have been affected by the foul weather conditions, there have been storms, and snow, may have already sent the item and it is held up somewhere.

They may be ill, it does happen and genuinely so, not just an excuse, there is a horrible flu virus going around at the moment.

I am waiting for an item that should have arrived a week ago, small enough to fit through the letterbox, I am going to wait a bit longer. Also waiting for something that was due to arrive 2 days ago, the estimates given by Ebay are totally unrealistic.