Buyer refund route: if you bought the item from a retailer or seller, your first refund request should usually go to them, not the courier.
Sender refund/compensation route: if you paid to post the parcel yourself, your request usually goes to the courier or postal operator you paid.
| Situation | First refund route | What to ask for |
| Bought online, not received | Retailer/seller | Redelivery, replacement, or refund |
| Bought online, damaged | Retailer/seller | Refund, repair, or replacement |
| You posted it and it was lost | Courier/postal operator | Compensation up to the service cover limit + postage refund |
| You posted it and it was damaged | Courier/postal operator | Compensation, if evidence, packaging, and service terms support the request |
Exact outcomes depend on the facts, evidence, retailer duties, courier terms, proof of value, packaging, exclusions, deadlines, and whether extra cover was purchased.