thanks so much and I am sorry I have posted again - on a learning curve.

I guess I will have to live with my problem as the cheapest postage in tracking as I understand it is $6.50 and no one would pay that for half a metre of fabric

I will have to rethink - you know this is my first problem - at first I wanted to send what I had left to the buyer to make up for the loss and then I thought no, because they would not confirm address - it could happen again and that if why I posted. 

I wanted to know what experienced ebayers have learned.

You have a lovely Christmas too and thank you for responding.