Seller was provided with the wrong address by Ebay, so my item got lost in the post

[jonlean]

I purchased an item on eBay on 4th July which hasn't arrived.

When I asked the seller to check what's going on they provided me with a copy of the proof of postage showing the address the item was sent to.

The item was sent to the incorrect address. But - it was sent to a previous address of mine (an address I haven't lived at for 12 years, but would be in my eBay address history.)

I have confirmation emails from eBay and Paypal saying the item would be sent to my current, correct address.

The seller says they were provided with the incorrect address by eBay - and I believe them because it's a previous address of mine and therefore unlikely to be a coincidence.

The most logical explaination seems to be an eBay error - but I don't know how to contact them without opening a claim with the seller, which I'm reluctant to do because they clearly did everything right.

Is there a way to contact an eBay representative about this without opening a claim against the seller?

[red_magpie]

Is there a way to contact an eBay representative about this without opening a claim against the seller?

No, there isn't. The seller will appreciate your consideraton, but you need to follow eBay's procedures, not invent your own.

You need to open an item not received case under eBay's money back guarantee in the usual way, through the resolution centre.

It will be for the seller to argue thier case with eBay if they were provided with the incorrect delivery address.  If eBay finds against them they can present their evidence and appeal the decision.