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Most of the time this is a handy way to shop, but it’s not always clear who you should contact if things go wrong.
As a customer, your contract is with the seller that you bought the item from.
It’s the seller’s responsibility to make sure the item is delivered to you. They should chase the courier to find out what happened to your order if there’s a problem.
If your parcel hasn’t arrived:
Check the delivery address you gave the seller, to make sure it’s correct.
Then contact the seller and ask where your order is.
If the seller claims they’ve delivered it or doesn’t know where it is, you can ask for a redelivery. You might be able to get a refund in some circumstances.
Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, you can ask the seller to deliver the item to you again if the item wasn’t delivered either by an agreed date, or within a reasonable time – usually within 30 days.
If the new delivery fails to come within a reasonable time, you can ask the seller for a refund.
Another problem people face is when parcels get left in different places, for example, outside or with a neighbour.
If your item was delivered by Royal Mail and your package was left with a neighbour or in a certain place because you asked them to, it’s not the seller or Royal Mail’s responsibility if it gets lost.
If they leave it somewhere you hadn’t instructed, it’s the seller’s responsibility if it gets lost. You should contact the seller to ask for a redelivery or a refund.
If it was a courier delivery, check your terms and conditions or account details – they might include other places for delivery, like your porch or a neighbour’s house.
If you agreed to them, it’s not the seller’s or courier’s responsibility if your order has gone missing.
However, if you did not agree to this, then it’s the seller’s responsibility.
If you’re still having trouble after trying the tips above, contact the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133 for help and further advice.
