After years of having only a few items lost in the 'post'[1], since last December a third item that has now gone into tracking, has confirmation that it has been received into the system and then nothing - the item has disappeared. Two recently lost items have had additonal entries indicating transport between intermediate hubs. These are tracking systems where you can see all movements including the driver on his delivery route.
This third item, and the two previously, have been very bulky for their weight and not easily mislaid.
It also appears sometimes that carriers with a tracking system, and where something goes missing, have automatic entries added in the tracking to reassure customers that all is well, apologising for the temporary delay and the package will be with you soon.
After somewhat of a frustration time where few organisations now answer phones in a timely manner and email correspondence replies are taking weeks I've received refunds from two suppliers totally around £80. It looks if I'm going to have to ask for another refund.
I'm beginning to think theft during transit may be rising!
[1] A couple of year's ago a large heavy item to the value of nearly £400 just disappeared into thin air and where the carriers sent messages apologising for the delay and promising (originally next day) delivery tomorrow - this was repeated for weeks.