Foundation · 2 min
What you need to know
How should ecommerce delivery estimates be calculated?
Add the realistic order processing time to the carrier’s estimated transit window, then account for cutoff times, origin, destination, weekends and holidays. State an estimate rather than promising a date the store cannot reliably support.
What is the difference between shipping time and delivery time?
Shipping or transit time usually starts after the carrier takes the parcel. Delivery time, as seen by a customer, also includes the time the store spends processing the order. Define these terms on the store to avoid presenting a transit-only figure as the total delivery time.
What is the difference between processing time and transit time?
Processing time is how long the store needs to confirm, pick and pack the order before carrier handoff. Transit time is the carrier’s journey after handoff. A one-day processing period plus a two-day service is a three-day total, not two.
Should product pages show estimated delivery dates?
A product page can show a realistic delivery window if stock, address, or region assumptions are stated clearly. Recalculate at checkout when the destination is known. If the estimate is too uncertain before checkout, state what information will refine it.
Should checkout show a date or a range?
An arrival window or date is easier to act on when it can be calculated reliably. Ranges such as “3–5 business days” need a clear starting point. Do not present an exact calendar date when weekends, origin, or stock availability make it speculative.
How should weekends and holidays affect delivery estimates?
Use the actual warehouse workweek, carrier service calendar, daily cutoff time, and destination-specific holidays where possible. Test orders placed just before a weekend or holiday. A static weekday formula can promise arrivals that operations cannot meet.
Foundation · 2 min
Frequently asked questions
What happens when fulfillment is delayed?
Tell affected customers promptly what changed, give the revised shipment expectation and explain their available choices under the applicable order terms and law. In some markets, prompt-shipment rules may require consent for certain delays or a refund option. Escalate rather than silently extending the date.
Why are customers receiving orders later than promised?
Compare promised and actual times across payment approval, stock allocation, pick, pack, carrier handoff and transit. If orders are late before the first carrier scan, fix the store’s processing estimate rather than blaming the carrier.