I can't believe an item of that value wasn't sent out Special Delivery. As a former postie, I really don't recommend Recorded Delivery. The only point at which it's tracked is when/if the recipient signs for it. Even then, I know some postmen don't get it signed for, or even sign for it themselves (sometimes at the request of the customer). Reading through the ebay forums, it seems a lot of ebay users seem to think they can track Recorded items through the system in the same way you can track Special Delivery items.

As others have said, open an INR case, ebay will refund you the full amount and it's up to the seller to put in a claim against RM and get what he can back from them.

If it wasn't insured that's not your responsibility, As others have said, even if it seem's Harsh it's the sellers responsibility to post it and make sure it is delivered, Not yours. If it hasn't arrived it is upto him to follow it up and claim his money back from the post office and refund you. If he was stupid enough to send a phone without the proper insurance then that's his fault, why should you as a buyer lose out?

A lot of people on ebay tend to say things like "i will not be held responsible if items are lost in the post" this is absolute rubbish and it is against ebays T and C's. So open up a dispute with them.

Not necessarily, I send all items on at the very least a signed-for basis but if the buyer is a cheapskate and doesn't want to pay for the service, I will send by ordinary mail if I receive an e-mail indemnifying me from all responsibility once I have posted it. I've had a couple of claims and in both cases eBay found in my favour.

Thanks all for the help

Item has just turned up this afternoon