Retail analyst, Hitha Herzog goes analog and calls UPS to verify last minute shipping deadlines.
Oh it's on people. Today is the BUSIEST shipping day of the year! Yes, I said "shipping" and not shopping. Why is this happening? One of the reasons has to do with the voracity people were purchasing online. According to Adobe Digital Insights Nov. 1 through Dec. 13, shoppers spent $66.91 billion online, an 8.31% leap over last year between November 1st through December 13th. That means one thing:
THIS IS CRUNCH TIME FOR UPS, FED EX AND USPS!
I'll be honest, I have a Fed Ex account which means massive discounts on stuff I ship out. But if you don't, here is a list of shipping deadlines from USPS (United States Postal Service to UPS AND Fed Ex).
Retail analyst and Chief Research Officer Hitha Herzog lays out a plan for sending presents last minute via UPS, USPS and Fed Ex on HLN.
US Postal Service
Fun facts: The U.S. Postal Service estimates it will deliver 750 million packages this Christmas
Best times to go: when the post office opens or mid afternoon. Have your package or letter addressed before you show up to the post office to send it.
Shipping deadlines:
Dec. 20 – First-Class Mail Cards and Letters
Dec. 21 – Priority Mail
Dec. 23 – Priority Mail Express
Obvious but important FYI: The longer you wait, the more expensive it is to guarantee delivery before Christmas.
Fed Ex:
Fun facts: According to a spokespeson, Fed Ex has been prepping for the holiday season months in advance. FedEx expanded the ranks of drivers, package handlers and other workers with roughly 50,000 new positions.
Shipping Deadlines:
Dec 12- Deadline for SmartPost shipment
Dec 17- Deadline for home delivery and ground delivery shipments.
Dec 20- Deadline for Express save shipments.
Dec 22- Deadline for 2-day and 2-day A.M. shipments.
Dec 23- Deadine for Standard Overnight, Priority Overnight, First Overnight shipments.
Dec 25- Deadline for same day shipments (via Amazon and shipments may only be within a certain local area).
UPS:
Fun facts: UPS is anticipating it will deliver more than 30 million packages a day this week, almost twice the 16 million deliveries made during a more typical 24-hour-period, says company spokeswoman. There are 15 new or expanded hubs, enlisted technology that allows staffers to better discern items inside trailers that they need to sort through, and planned to hire more than 95,000 temporary employees.
Shipping deadlines:
Dec 18 – Deadline for 3 Day Select shipments.
Dec 22 – Deadline for 2nd Day Air shipments.
Dec 23 – Deadline for Next Day Air shipments.
On time delivery: which one should you choose? Between Dec. 4 and Dec.10, 96.2% of packages shipped via FedEx Ground arrived on time, slightly above the rate of 95.3% during that week last year.
UPS Ground had an on-time delivery rate of 93.1% vs. 93.2% during that period in 2015.
Last minute shopping? Here are a list of stores that you can shop online this week and still have merchandise delivered:
Best Buy: can still get a gift until 11:30 a.m. ET on Dec. 21 and have it delivered by Dec. 23.
Toys R Us: will cut off free shipping for items costing at least $19 on Monday.
Macy's: is offering standard shipping at no charge for purchases of at least $99. Those standard delivery deadlines at Macy's as well as cut-offs for premium shipping are 5 p.m. ET Wednesday.
Amazon: Free shipping day 1200 items people can buy by Christmas Eve and have it delivered Christmas Day. (source: dealhack.com)