Ina Steiner EcommerceBytes Blog
News and insight focusing on ecommerce.
by Ina Steiner, Editor of EcommerceBytes.com
Thu Nov 16 2017 17:11:58

Sellers Face Unusual Christmas Shipping Challenge

By: Ina Steiner

Sponsored Link

Sellers may lose out on some last-minute holiday orders - that's because there will be no mail delivery on Christmas Eve for the first time since 2006.

Last-minute Christmas shoppers may be in for a disappointment this year, and online sellers may take some heat. That's because this year, there will be no mail delivery on Christmas Eve. For the first time since 2006, Christmas falls on a Monday - and (obviously) there is no mail on Sundays.

That means the cut-off dates for mailing packages to arrive in time for Christmas are cut short by a day this year.

It's a bit risky to cut it close anyway given possible delays. Sellers must weigh the risk of disappointing customers by accepting last-minute orders versus lost sales if they don't accept them. Some sellers even close up their online shops in the days or weeks before Christmas to avoid tricky situations.

Turning away last-minute orders may seem like overkill, but given the strict seller performance standards from marketplaces like eBay and Amazon, some sellers think it's worth the peace of mind.

As in previous years, there was mail delivery on Christmas Eve last year - the Post Office was closed on December 25 and 26 because Christmas fell on a Sunday last year. Here's a look at USPS holiday shipping cut-off dates from 2015 through this year.

2017
First-Class Mail Service - Dec. 19
Priority Mail Service - Dec. 20
Priority Mail Express - Dec. 22

2016
First-Class Mail Service - Dec. 20
Priority Mail Service - Dec. 21
Priority Mail Express - Dec. 23

2015
First-Class Mail Service - Dec. 19
Priority Mail Service - Dec. 21
Priority Mail Express - Dec. 23

And don't forget about New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Here's the scoop: the USPS announced that Post Offices nationwide will be closed on Christmas Eve, Sunday, Dec. 24 and New Year's Eve, Sunday, Dec. 31. 

The Christmas Day and New Year's Day federal holidays will be observed on Dec. 25 and Jan. 1 respectively. Post Offices will be closed on those days and only Priority Mail Express packages will be delivered. All Post Offices will be open and regular mail delivery will resume after the holidays on Dec. 26 and Jan. 2.



Share

Comments (12) | Leave Comment | Permalink

Readers Comments

Perminate Link for Sellers Face Unusual Christmas Shipping Challenge   Sellers Face Unusual Christmas Shipping Challenge

This user has validated their user name. by: The End

Thu Nov 16 18:14:28 2017

Sellers aren't "missing out", BUYERS ARE.
I have So Many "STUPID BUYERS" this year it's pathetic.
If they can't finalize a custom order in 24 hours, I throw them over to my SPAM box, where I never have to deal with these morons again.

Perminate Link for Sellers Face Unusual Christmas Shipping Challenge   Sellers Face Unusual Christmas Shipping Challenge

by: RL15 This user has validated their user name.

Thu Nov 16 18:48:10 2017

just use amazon boxes, they will get delivered on Christmas Eve

Perminate Link for Sellers Face Unusual Christmas Shipping Challenge   Sellers Face Unusual Christmas Shipping Challenge

by: yesmikan This user has validated their user name.

Thu Nov 16 20:05:33 2017

I live in a small city of about 20k in Maryland and the local USPS told me they will be doing Sunday package delivery until the end of the year. If they're doing it here, I imagine they'll be doing it plenty of other places.  

Perminate Link for Sellers Face Unusual Christmas Shipping Challenge   Sellers Face Unusual Christmas Shipping Challenge

by: TomH This user has validated their user name.

Thu Nov 16 21:29:00 2017

Three days?  A bit over the top isn't it? Next year it is all calm again....  

Perminate Link for Sellers Face Unusual Christmas Shipping Challenge   Sellers Face Unusual Christmas Shipping Challenge

This user has validated their user name. by: Rexford

Fri Nov 17 07:35:23 2017

The End says 'I have So Many "STUPID BUYERS" this year it's pathetic.'

We should write a book.  This has been the year of the stupid buyer. But only on eBay.  It has also been the year of the liar buyer.  But only on eBay.

Perminate Link for Sellers Face Unusual Christmas Shipping Challenge   Sellers Face Unusual Christmas Shipping Challenge

by: TomH This user has validated their user name.

Fri Nov 17 12:59:40 2017

@ RL15

lol, I use Amazon boxes all the time. I don't know if there is any truth in what you mentioned, but the Post Office has never lost one of my shipments.

Perminate Link for Sellers Face Unusual Christmas Shipping Challenge   Sellers Face Unusual Christmas Shipping Challenge

by: RL15 This user has validated their user name.

Sat Nov 18 11:30:38 2017

@TomH

Unless a carrier actually looks at the shipping label to see the ship from address,

it go's into the amazon pile. most carriers only look at the ship to address.

When you use a amazon box for a order, check the tracking, it moves real fast.

Perminate Link for Sellers Face Unusual Christmas Shipping Challenge   Sellers Face Unusual Christmas Shipping Challenge

by: Chicago48 This user has validated their user name.

Mon Nov 20 01:15:59 2017

where can I buy Amazon boxes?  We know and it's known that the Post office gives priority to Amazon boxes when it comes to shipping.

Perminate Link for Sellers Face Unusual Christmas Shipping Challenge   Sellers Face Unusual Christmas Shipping Challenge

by: Sierra This user has validated their user name.

Mon Nov 20 07:40:19 2017

LOL! I'm sure there's a dark alley somewhere where you can buy counterfeit Amazon boxes. ;-)

Perminate Link for Sellers Face Unusual Christmas Shipping Challenge   Sellers Face Unusual Christmas Shipping Challenge

by: thebobman This user has validated their user name.

Mon Nov 20 10:44:59 2017

This year is going to be fun. Since I got changed over to the new shipping settings I can easily turn off expedited shipping on Amazon, which I'm going to do about the first week in December. I don't need buyers with unrealistic expectations, and even priority can take over a week this time of year.

Perminate Link for Sellers Face Unusual Christmas Shipping Challenge   Sellers Face Unusual Christmas Shipping Challenge

This user has validated their user name. by: epuise

Mon Nov 20 11:59:25 2017

Christmas is always the same day... the 25th...
There is no excuse for last minute "gift" orders...
anyone who "expects" next day - "before Christmas" delivery...
when they order less than 7 business days before...
is a self-entitled, clue-less person...
who deserves to be "sooooo disappointed" if it doesn't arrive.

Perminate Link for Sellers Face Unusual Christmas Shipping Challenge   Sellers Face Unusual Christmas Shipping Challenge

This user has validated their user name. by: VV

Mon Nov 20 13:07:51 2017

Don't care. I shut my Amazon store down right after T-day and Ebay stores about a week before Christmas. The extended return window for Amazon is just stupid and I just don't need to hassle of last minute shoppes. Have learned to take MY vacation around Christmas holidays to avoid the madness.



Login is required to post comments.
To sign in to leave a comment, fill in the form below. If you have not yet signed up for AB Verify, or if you'd like more information, go to the Registration Page.

Login for AB Verify
Be sure and use your email address and password to log in.
 
Email:
Password:
 
 Forgot Your Password?
 Even though you are signed in with the AuctionBytes Blog, you will have to sign in to the EcommerceBytes blog. But you can sign in with your existing AB Verify info.