You probably know the feeling–eagerly watching the status of a package for days, only to finally see the dreaded phrases appear next to the status of your package: “Amazon package delayed in transit” or “missing mail”. Whether you need the package by a certain date or you simply don’t like waiting, shipping delays are frustrating for anyone. However, you don’t have to sit idly by while you wait for your package to be delivered–there are actions you can take that can help make things right.
Product protection can especially be helpful in this situation. If your items are missing or delayed, or worse, if they don't come at all, you can have peace of mind knowing you're covered. Mulberry Unlimited allows you to protect all your online purchases under the same product protection plan, complete with unlimited coverage and claims.
What to do if your Fedex package is delayed
If Fedex is the carrier delivering your package, you’re in luck. In some cases, Fedex offers a money back guarantee for packages that are delivered late. This means that if you're expecting a package by a certain date and Fedex doesn't come through, there’s a chance you can get a full refund for your package, or at the very least, some amount of money back.
However, it’s important to note that getting your money back is not a guarantee. As with any package carrier, the Fedex supply chain experiences normal issues, so Fedex may not be able to refund or subsidize your package in some circumstances.
How to deal with Amazon shipping delays
Although some shipping delays are normal, Amazon does everything possible to make things right when things go awry for a customer. For example, if you paid an extra fee for your package to arrive the same day, the next day, or in two days, and Amazon doesn’t meet the deadline, you’ll receive an automatic refund for your order. Amazon also provides a useful tracking tool on your orders page to monitor the status.
If you’re looking for an even more detailed explanation about where your package is, you can also choose to speak to an Amazon representative. Customer representatives can see additional information from their end that isn’t visible to the customer, so if you’re really worried about your package, it might be worth making the call.
Tips for preventing shipping delays
If you’re hoping to prevent a shipping delay, there are things you can do preemptively to reduce the odds that your package gets lost. Here are some tips:
- Double check your address. The easiest way for your package to get delayed is if it’s delivered to the wrong address. A simple error such as an extra digit on your street address or forgetting to include an apartment number can set your package back weeks in transit, so always be sure to double check your address before placing an order.
- Send your package to a pickup location. Tired of waiting the extra day or two for the package to leave the carrier, make it onto the truck, and then be delivered to your house? Consider sending your package to a local pickup location, such as an Amazon hub or locker. If your package is being shipped through Fedex or UPS, you can also call the carrier to arrange an in-person pickup if you prefer. Sometimes avoiding the last leg of a delivery can make a big difference in preventing extra delays.
- Opt for curbside pickup. Finally, if you’re really tired of shipping delays, you might consider choosing to skip the shipping process altogether. Although having a package delivered straight to your door is much more convenient than having to drive to a store, many retailers have made huge strides in recent years to make curbside pickup readily available in most areas. With Walmart curbside pickup, for example, you can simply pull up, note in the app that you've arrived, and wait for your items to be carried out to you and loaded in your car by a store associate.
Final thoughts
Whether you’re waiting for a snazzy new outfit, a sleek new tech gadget, or a simple pair of socks to arrive in the mail, there’s nothing more disappointing than dealing with shipping delays. Luckily, however, you don’t have to simply sit and wait; there are actions you can take that can either speed up the process or avoid the issue altogether.
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