Amazon’s Prime service has created a culture of instant gratification. Prime members can get their orders the same day they’ve shipped in many cases.
Although that’s all well and good for Prime members, what about non-Prime members? Are the delivery times listed on Amazon accurate? How fast can you expect your package?
Do Amazon Packages Come Early?
Even non-Prime Amazon orders can sometimes arrive earlier than expected. The calculation for estimated delivery is fairly conservative. This makes sense, since delivery can vary by country and region, but the estimated delivery times are often much longer than the time it actually takes to deliver an item. It all depends on where you live, and which service you select for delivery.
It’s important to note that this is a double-edged sword. Packages can obviously arrive after their expected delivery date, as well. This usually happens when there are unexpected delays with your item. In some regions, this can be more common than others. Taking a look at the average customer review, packages are typically received at least by the expected delivery date.
Amazon offers Release-Date Delivery for pre-ordered items. This service allows buyers to have their items shipped to them on the day of release. If you’re an Amazon Prime member, you will often receive your item on the day the product is released.
If you don’t have Prime, you might have to wait a couple of days before the item is actually delivered. Release-Date Delivery is only available for addresses within the continental US.
If you live in Alaska, Hawaii, or somewhere outside the United States, this service will not be available to you.
How To Get Amazon Delivery Early
Everyone would like to receive their Amazon order as soon as it is processed. Although this kind of instant gratification is not quite a reality, we’ve gotten pretty close to it with the emergence of Amazon Prime. There are a few ways you can ensure that your package is delivered as soon as possible.
The simplest way is to sign up for Amazon Prime. Amazon Prime members have more options for expedient delivery methods, and will often receive their items the same day they ordered them as long as a few specific conditions are met.
In general, paying more for delivery means that you will get your item faster. Amazon has a bunch of different options in this regard, including Release-Date Delivery for pre-ordered items, and guaranteed 2-day delivery for regular items.
The latter option does not require a Prime membership to use. When ordering through these methods, make sure you read all the relevant conditions and stipulations before putting through your order. That way you won’t be surprised if your package ends up taking a little bit longer than expected.
Other options for speedy delivery available with a Prime membership include Free One-Day Delivery, Free Same-Day Delivery, Free 2-Hour Grocery Delivery, and more. For details, check the Amazon Prime Delivery page.
Finding items available with these delivery options is as simple as using the search-filter function. Prime members will be able to filter search results to display only those available through Free Same-Day Delivery, or whatever other delivery option you wish to use.
How Accurate Is Amazon’s Estimated Delivery Date?
According to the majority of online product reviews, Amazon packages typically arrive on or even slightly before the estimated delivery date. This happens because Amazon’s estimated delivery times are typically very conservative to account for variables in the delivery process.
Obviously, sometimes packages can also take a few days longer than the estimated date to be delivered.
Amazon calculates estimated delivery dates by adding expected transit times to the date that your item is expected to ship. The actual calculations will be more complex based on what shipping method you selected and where in the world you live, but this is the basic outline for delivery estimation.
If there is a significant delay in any part of the process, Amazon will update their delivery estimation to reflect the change. For this reason, it is a good idea to check your order frequently to avoid unexpected delays. This is especially important during busy times such as holidays.
What Time Do Amazon Packages Arrive?
The delivery time for your package will depend on your area and the delivery method you selected. But what about the time of day? What time do Amazon packages usually arrive?
This actually depends quite a bit on where you live and what you ordered. Customers report that larger items tend to arrive earlier in the day; between 11am and 3pm. However, smaller items can be delivered as late as 8 PM.
Amazon states on their customer support page that drivers will only contact you for delivery between 8:00 am and 8:00 pm. The purpose of this is to avoid disturbing you or your neighbors by knocking on your door or ringing your doorbell at some ungodly hour of the day. If you’re concerned about not being there to receive a package, you can actually schedule a delivery for a specific time when you know you will be home to receive it.
If your order indicates that the package was delivered, but your package has not yet arrived, it may have been left with a receptionist or neighbor. If you’re concerned, you can visit this page to get information on missing packages showing as delivered.
What Is The Fastest Amazon Delivery?
No matter how you slice it, Amazon Prime members have access to the fastest delivery options through Amazon. Same-day delivery will get you items on the same day you ordered them as long as specific conditions are met.
Amazon is even offering next-day-early-morning shipping in some regions, meaning you can order an item at noon and have it before sunrise on your porch the next day.
For grocery orders, 2-hour delivery is available as well. However, some regions do not have these options available. To make sure you meet all the requirements for the fastest Amazon delivery, review the details on Amazon’s website.
If you have any questions or concerns about your Amazon deliveries, feel free to speak up in the comment section.
Want to learn more about Amazon? Check out these related posts like does Amazon accept EBT, does Amazon take coupons, and does Amazon deliver on Sundays
Conclusion
Yes, Amazon orders can sometimes arrive early. Amazon calculates an estimated delivery date and time but stays on the conservative side for most deliveries.
The fastest way to get your items is to sign up for Amazon Prime. Amazon Prime offers two-day shipping for free, and on some items and regions, next-day shipping is included.