The shopping season is shorter than you expect this year!

The Purple Store has been shipping for nine years (nine years!) now, and we’ve learned a few things about shipping around the holidays that we thought we’d pass on. Some of this you know, some you might not.

1. Don’t wait! (No kidding.) As the shipping load gets bigger, the chances of your package getting delayed (or, rarely, lost) get higher. We’ve found that each day you wait to ship a package within about 17 days of Christmas can add more than a day to deliver.  Within about 14 days it adds a day, then within about 10 days a day’s delay adds two days, then within the last week a day’s delay can add up to four days to delivery time.

2. Write legibly and check addresses! Even better, print a label created online. Mail to addresses the postal machines can read moves faster than mail to addresses a human has to double-check and read.

3. Standard Mail can be slow. Choose Expedited options for packages over a pound.

For lighter packages under a pound, many online retailers like The Purple Store use First Class Mail.  It’s not quite as zippy as usual during the holidays, but it still moves pretty quickly.  The normal 1-5 business day range becomes 2-7 days.

Over a pound, though, USPS has a steep cliff.  Priority Mail isn’t guaranteed but is supposed to be 2-3 business days and even holiday rush deliveries are usually within 2-4 days.  Not so with Standard shipping speed that goes by Parcel Post (AKA Parcel Select).  While usually 2-8 business days, it can sometimes take 10-14 (or even 20) days during the holiday peak.  USPS staff usually shrug and tell us, “Well, you did ship it Parcel Post.  What did you expect?”  And we answer, “We expected you to delivery our package in a reasonable amount of time.”

At The Purple Store we use FedEx ground for some of our shipments over a pound.  During the holiday rush you can request that for a slight additional amount if you prefer it.  We also gladly use 1, 2, or 3-day express upon request for the cost difference.

4. Don’t let USPS talk you into Express Mail.  We’ve seen USPS counter staff nearly intimidate people with dire threats of how your package might not arrive in time.  Express Mail/Priority Mail Express costs a lot more.  If you need it there on time, great, but look at the price tag.

5. Breathe.  Yes, it’s great when items arrive before Christmas and we will move mountains to help our customers reach that deadline in the most affordable ways we can.  Our culture has made us a bit crazy about this deadline, though.  Except for small children and items needed for events, we’ve found most people are just as happy to receive items a day or two after Christmas.  Sometimes it’s nice to have a second wave of presents.  The extra cost and worry of delivery before Christmas can sometimes be avoided by a smile, a shrug, a deep, cleansing breath in, and saying, “Well, it will get there a few days after.”  Now breathe out.  Worth considering.

Here’s a timeline for the last day you can ship something to be sure it will get to its destination in time for the 24th:

• International Standard Shipping: December 7th
• International Expedited Shipping: December 9th
• International Express Shipping (FedEx/UPS/Global Express Guaranteed): December 17th or 18th
• Domestic Parcel Post/Parcel Select Standard Shipping (over 1 lb): December 12th
• Domestic First Class Mail Standard Shipping: December 14th or 16th
• Domestic Expedited Shipping by Priority Mail: December 18th (not guaranteed)
• Domestic Overnight Shipping: December 23rd
• Mail to Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico, Guam, etc. – Use Priority Mail or ask for Express.  Standard mail goes by boat and can be weeks during the holidays.

We realize not everyone has advance notice and time to shop early.  Let us know if you need something sent by overnight, two-day, or three-day FedEx guaranteed.  And remember that we can e-mail gift certificates right up until the last few hours on the 24th.

We hope the rest of your holiday season is stress free and full of joy!

– The Purple Store Staff