Researchers expect online holiday shopping to increase at least 20% over last Christmas. That means more people shopping at more online stores. Do you know what happens after you place your online order?
According to Patricia Curry, founder of Wellhaven Gifts for Seniors, many customers do not realize that the information supplied during the order process affects how fast orders are shipped. "Whether you shop online or call the merchant's customer service department to place your order, it's all about the data you provide," Curry emphasized.
When you place an order with an online retailer three important things happen inside the company.
- The online store checks your payment to ensure it is valid. The most common mistake shoppers make is not providing the correct billing address.
- The merchant checks inventory availability. While most computerized inventory systems tell you during the order process if an item is in stock, there could be variations due to warehouse errors.
- The shipping department verifies your shipping address with the delivery service to ensure packages can be delivered.
If there are problems in any of these areas, your order will come a stop until the issues are resolved. That's why it is important to provide a valid email address and phone number where the online retailer can reach you.
It could be hours or days before the issue is resolved. It all depends upon how long it takes you to respond to the email request for order clarification. In the meantime, your order goes to the back of the line.
Here are some tips to keep your order moving smoothly towards its destination:
- Look at the most recent statement for the payment method you use for online shopping. Provide the billing address exactly as it appears on your statement.
- Set up a "shopping" email address and review it regularly. This will help keep all email for order receipts, order clarification and package tracking numbers in one place for easy reference. Some email providers mistakenly deliver email you really want to the spam or bulk folders. Check all your email folders at least once daily when shopping online. Respond to clarification requests as soon as possible to prevent further delays in shipping your order.
- Verify the shipping address including apartment numbers and PO Boxes. As communities grow, the Post Office may assisgn new zip codes or street addresses to both the new area and the older parts of town. Contact the recipients to verify the address where they receive mail and let them know to expect a package from you.
Most importantly, review all of the information you provide - billing and shipping addresses, items, quantity ordered, sizes, colors, gift wrap options - before you submit your order online and when you receive your order receipt via email. The earlier in the process an error is caught and resolved, the less time your order will spend in the waiting line at the warehouse.
"Sometimes customers catch their own mistakes and contact us shortly after placing their orders," stated Curry. "As an online shopper myself, I use a shopping email address so the online stores where I shop can reach me. I've caught my own errors and had them fixed before the order was shipped. The shopping email address makes holiday online shopping easier."
Bonus: An insider's tips about getting delivery before Christmas from the founder and president of Wellhaven Gifts for Seniors, Patricia Curry:
Shop online by December 14. Most delivery services suspend their guaranteed delivery times after Thanksgiving. "That means no matter how well you reviewed your order and how fast we get it out the door, if the delivery services are overwhelmed by the volume of packages to be delivered, your package could arrive late."
Check the weather map. Inclement weather in the merchant's location, transportation route or the package destination can also affect delivery. According to Curry, "Just as airplanes with passengers can be delayed by bad weather, so can package delivery. Sometimes shoppers forget this important detail. It may be warm and sunny in their hometown, but snowing at the recipient's location, or along the transportation route. Another reason to place orders earlier rather than later."
Wellhaven, LLC is a female-owned business founded in 2002 by baby boomer entrepreneur, Patricia Curry. The company's headquarters are located in the suburbs of Philadelphia, PA. The company offers gifts for seniors and ships worldwide. For more information about Wellhaven, visit the About Us section of their web site.