For owners of young enterprises, perhaps one of the most intimidating tasks is organizing and processing customer orders. There are plenty of details to take care of and goals to achieve that you will be overcome with confusion. For instance, there are ship date, delivery date, estimated time of arrival and so forth because many of these may seem easy to distinguish but actually, they are quite different.
In this article, we’ll break down these terms and their key differences. We’ll also cover some important terms to help you understand them better. If you’re having trouble with logistics, keep reading to find the best solution for you.
Part 1. What is the Ship Date?
The ship date is the date your package is delivered to your chosen carrier or courier. Until this date, it is typically the seller’s responsibility to ensure the package arrives, and some even provide a separate date for this responsibility.
These dates are inclusive of working days, such as Monday to Friday, and exclude weekends. This distinction is crucial for understanding the logistics of the shipment and is particularly important for time-sensitive goods, such as perishable items or medicinal packages.
Upon reaching the courier, the package commences its final leg of the journey to its intended destination.
Part 2. What is the Delivery Date?
The delivery date is the date that the package arrives at the customer’s doorstep or is collected by them at a kiosk or delivery hub. This date is usually mentioned on a seller’s website, even if it is an overseas shipment.
Keep in mind that shipping and delivery dates are separate from estimated ones, which we discuss in detail later, as they involve many factors. Shippers and logistic companies calculate these factors using final dates instead of giving you estimated ones.
Part 3. Ship Date vs. Delivery Date – What Are the Differences?
Now that you understand the basic concept between these two terms, we discuss the key differences among them in more detail. The details are necessary for the smooth running of your business, as understanding is one thing, while practical implications are much more impactful.
Here are some of these differences.
Calculation of Key Dates
Retailers or sellers will need to calculate these dates based on some seen and unforeseen factors, either using a proper calculator or simple estimations from experience. Some of these factors that affect the shipping dates are:
- How much time it takes to process the order and complete the packaging?
- What is the buyer’s expectation of the delivery time, such as Christmas or other holidays where time is critical?
When it comes to the delivery-to-door date, here are some of the factors that go into calculation:
- What method of transportation is being employed, like air, sea, or road?
- What are the transit times at different milestones, such as customs, data entry, and dispatch at collection centers?
- Geographical locations, which countries and regions the seller has contacts such as 3rd party logistic companies.
- Shipping options should be taken into consideration, and the cheapest and most secure will always be chosen first.
The seller may need to give me more weight on the delivery date as shipping can be delayed due to so many milestones to consider.
Importance of The Dates
While shipping dates are important on their own, more so for the seller, delivery dates are the ones that clients or consumers look at first. Almost 50% of Shopify consumers purchase goods that have a clear delivery date, whether estimated or actual.
In the end, the sooner the product arrives at the customer, the better the trust or buying decisions will be, but more customers are attracted by the delivery date than the shipping date.
Customer’s Control Over Dates
While it may not seem much, as shipping dates are based on many factors and are out of the customer’s hands, it is empowering for them to control delivery times and dates. Many sellers offer express, overnight, and standard shipping times with price differences based on customers’ requirements.
This priority dating mechanism allows customers to choose according to their needs. Getting the package early is a small price. Customers can also change these dates if the seller allows them to collect the package at their leisure.
Communication Channels and Methods
Most methods for communicating and tracking packages are the same. Retailers or sellers will use SMS, emails, or website account notifications to inform different stages of the shipping/delivery process.
For the delivery dates, a customer can additionally check the carrier/courier tracking system to update the product’s status.
International Orders
The shipping date is and can be controlled by the seller as it is his responsibility, though it can be delayed due to customs and document verification, among other things.
The delivery date is a bit more complex as it involves more factors that can delay or hamper the delivery duration, even the regulations of the target country. In most cases, businesses contract with local mail companies, third-party logistics companies, or government entities to ensure speedy delivery with minimum downtime.
Part 4. Common Shipping Dates to Track
In the previous section, we discussed in detail the major differences between ship date and delivery date. In this section, we discuss a few more nuanced dates to help you gain more knowledge
Estimated Shipping Date
The estimated time or date it takes or will take for the package to arrive at the carrier. At this time or date, it is no longer the seller’s responsibility, and the carrier will take care of the rest. This estimation is the lead time for shipping packages and can be delayed. Sometimes, simply a delay in packaging and dispatch is the cause of some delay. Other times, weather can be the culprit.
If the item isn’t in inventory, you, as a customer, are also given an estimated time and date. These dates are clearly mentioned so the customer can plan before placing an order.
Estimated Delivery Date
Again, due to different factors, sometimes you, as a business, will give your customer an estimated delivery date. For example, local shipping can be a day late because of a carrier’s working hours and days. Most companies don’t work on Saturdays and Sundays, while some companies also take priority orders on Saturdays to build more trust with the customer.
Invoice Creation Date
This is the date the seller created the invoice. It is prior to the shipping or delivery date because the customer has placed an order and now has to pay to begin the process. Sometimes, this date is days after placing the order.
Return Date
This is the date that the package will be returned to the seller, and then the amount will be released to them. Keep in mind that it is not the return window during which a customer can and wants to return the product due to some incomplete aspect.
Part 5. What Factors Affect Shipping Dates?
Following are some key factors that can affect a shipping date.
- The Availability of Inventory—If any of the items are not available in your inventory, the dates are delayed, so it is important to factor this in or mention it to the customer.
- Processing Time—Before the order is dispatched, there are many processing steps, including documentation. Streamlining this aspect can significantly reduce shipping and delivery dates.
- Packaging Your Order – While regular packaging is much more streamlined, sometimes a customer wants customized packing for important goods. This can take extra time and delay shipping.
- Weather Conditions—Extreme weather conditions can significantly delay the dates because they cause the delivery process to stop completely for safety reasons.
- Customs Clearance—There can be a delay if the documentation isn’t clear or payment is due. Otherwise, the customs process takes regular time other than peak seasons.
- Destination – The nearer a destination is to the fulfillment center, the faster it will arrive. Different destinations have different aspects that must be considered before sharing these important dates.
Optimize Shipping Dates with NextSmartShip
Why not let go of all the hassle of managing these factors and let others take charge? NextSmartShip has the experience, warehouses at key customer locations, a delivery system that can easily integrate with your system, and much more to facilitate this. Why not visit their website and see how efficiently they can boost your shipping and delivery dates for an affordable service fee?
Conclusion
A satisfied customer will become a permanent customer. While many aspects, such as shipping and delivery dates, may seem inconsequential, they cannot be ignored. The best way to boost your business is to streamline your process digitally, give your customers more power, and employ the best logistics companies you can afford.
Get in touch with an expert at NextSmartShip today to resolve all your shipping issues. Let the expert handle them while you focus on growing your business.
