What to do when your order never shows up

I ordered something small online last month, and the package status hasn’t moved in weeks. The seller only keeps saying “it’s on the way.” What’s the best approach to get a refund or replacement if the tracking never updates?

I learned this the hard way with a pair of headphones that disappeared mid-route. Instead of waiting endlessly, I gathered all correspondence, screenshots, and tracking details in one PDF. Then I used the instructions under item not received to open a formal complaint with the payment processor and seller simultaneously. Within five days, the refund cleared. The key is being polite but precise—outline dates, show proof, and ask for one resolution only. Scattergun messages just delay things.