When your parcel arrives and what can delay it

Short answer: Orders are packed on weekdays, and the carrier collects once a day. Weekends and public holidays do not count, and that is the most common reason for confusion about when a parcel actually arrives.

Weekdays count, weekends do not

An order placed on Friday evening is only packed on Monday, because the warehouse is not staffed over the weekend. That is not a delay, even though it can feel that way while waiting. See bamboo clothing for women while you wait for your order to ship.

Tracking updates in jumps

A parcel can sit still in tracking for several hours while it is at a sorting centre between two stops. That is completely normal and not a sign of a problem. See news for updates on delivery times during periods with extra pressure on the carriers.

Peak season stretches everything out

In November and December, the whole supply chain is under pressure, from warehouse to carrier to the local delivery route. Order earlier than usual during that period. See christmas gift ideas to plan your shopping in good time and avoid a late gift right before the holidays.

The address needs to be right

The most common real delay comes from an error in the address, not from the carrier itself. Check the postcode, house number and name on the door before confirming the order. See bamboo clothing for men if you are shopping for several people in one household, and double check each address.

The carrier only collects once a day

Most carriers only collect from the warehouse once a day, usually in the afternoon. If an order is packed right after that pickup, it waits until the next day. That explains why two orders placed the same day sometimes ship a day apart, even though both were packed on time.

How to track a parcel correctly

Use the tracking number you get by email and check it directly with the carrier rather than only in the order confirmation. The carrier's own tracking page updates more often and more precisely than the overview in your inbox, especially in the final hours before delivery.

What to do if a parcel is late

Wait at least one weekday beyond the estimated delivery time before contacting customer service, since tracking often catches up on its own. Then write with the order number and tracking number ready, so customer service can quickly see where the parcel is and whether there is a real delay.

Delivery to a pickup point or your door

If you choose delivery to a pickup point, the collection window can be shorter than expected, often around a week. See news for details on the delivery options available, and choose your door instead if you cannot collect the parcel within the stated period.

Avoid delays by ordering in good time

If the item is needed by a certain date, build in a few extra days on top of the estimated delivery time. This matters most during sales or before public holidays, when carriers generally have more parcels to handle at once than usual.