Can A Royal Mail Parcel Be Held At Local Sorting Office And Collected By The Seller?

[Lucy12345]

Hello, I have recently made an online purchase for an iPhone. The seller sold me it at a reduced price with the condition I would swap for a Samsung phone I was selling. I sent the phone through Royal Mail, as has the seller of the iPhone. However delivery for the Samsung i posted has been delayed, it was posted on Friday. The seller is more or less implying that she doesn't believe I have sent the Samsung phone even though I have provided proof and has told me that she has contacted Royal Mail and if the Samsung doesn't arrive by today (which is unlikely as it's a Sunday!) she is getting the iPhone held at my local post office and she is able to collect it from there. Is this true? I have 100% sent the phone I promised, but let's say I didn't....technically I have purchased a phone off her and she has posted it. I can prove I have purchased it so surely she can't then get the phone held and get rights to collect it herself?!
If this is true doesn't that mean that she could keep my payment for the phone and if I try to claim for my money back technically she has proof she posted this item therefore she doesn't have to give me any money back while still being able to collect the phone? The agreement for the exchange in phones was made verbally between us, I then went ahead and purchased the phone at a lower price off her Depop page. Please can someone tell me if this is right, can she have the phone held at my local posting office and collect it herself?
Thanks in advance!

[Buenchico]

Simple answer: NO!

[whiskeryron]

If the item has been posted to you in your name & address & is being held at local Post Office, the only person who can collect it is yourself with proof of personal details.

[baza]

As I understand it the parcel was sent and is now with Royal Mail, in their care , until it is delivered to you, so I assume the sender cannot interupt the transaction.

[EDDIE51]

The sender CAN NOT get a package held at the sorting office or at the post office. The seller is talking bull*****
Once she handed the package over to the post office it is no longer her property, technically then it belongs to Royal Mail until it is delivered.
If you only posted it Friday it is hardly possible it would have been delivered yet anyway! The aim is delivery within 3 working days, Saturday and Sunday are not working days!