The seller advertises he used RM (who do not leave parcels like that in my porch, they card you instead) but actually used Evri.
Hey Justin, I understand you're upset, but eBay's Terms of Service clearly state that they can change the delivery service without notice to enhance customer experience. ( I get the irony here ) It's explicitly mentioned that they have the authority to switch couriers without informing the buyer.
When it comes to deliveries, they are directed to addresses rather than specific individuals residing at the address. Even Royal Mail Special Delivery allows anyone at the address to sign for the package; it doesn't have to be the person named on the label, as long as they occupy the address indicated.
In the UK, there isn't a strict requirement to include names on shipments. You can address it simply to "the occupier." While including names can be helpful, delivery is generally considered successful once the package reaches the designated address, not necessarily the named individual. Additionally, Evri took a picture to provide evidence of completing the delivery.
In the UK, many court documents are sent by first class mail without tracking or a signature, yet they are considered served and delivered. If legal documents can be delivered without these security measures, it suggests that your low-value order may not be treated differently.
To have a strong case, you would need a contract with the seller explicitly stating that the parcel must be delivered and accepted only by the person named on the label.
In most court cases involving low-value items, the buyer tends to lose unless the seller can prove delivery to the specified address, often through tracking, photos, or a signature. While for high-value items, leaving a package on a porch might not be acceptable in the eyes of the court, in your case, it's legally doubtful that you could win this dispute.