What to Do If Your Amazon Prime Delivery Is Late (2024)

What to Do If Your Amazon Prime Delivery Is Late (1)

Amazon is renowned for its ultra-fast deliveries, but even the biggest online retailer in the world can drop the ball from time to time. So how can you avoid an Amazon Prime late delivery when shopping the best Amazon deals? After all, Amazon Prime members are now paying $139/year for expedited deliveries and the last thing you want as a paying member is an Amazon Prime late delivery.

Also, withWalmart Plus widely available, Prime members have more options than ever for expedited delivery. Here are some pointers on what to do if you receive an Amazon Prime late delivery. (Also, check out our guides on how to cancel Amazon Prime and how to cancel an Amazon order. If you're looking for deals, check out our best VPN deals and mattress deals this week).

Prime Day and Amazon Prime late delivery

Various rumors indicate that a new batch of Prime Day deals could be on the way. The e-commerce giant is said to be prepping for a fall Prime Day. Make sure to follow our Amazon coverage for any news of a potential Prime Day 2. Additionally, check out our guide to the best Amazon promo codes for more ways to save at Amazon.

Understanding the perks

Although Amazon doesn't do much to promote its Amazon Prime late delivery refund policy, it's actually a good one. In years past, any Amazon Prime customer who didn’t get a delivery within two days on a two-day shipment, or within the hours Amazon specified, would qualify for one free month of Amazon Prime. (Keep in mind that mileage varied.)

The free month was typically tacked on at the end of the period, so subscribers' end dates are extended one month.

"If you received free shipping through Amazon Prime, you may be eligible for a free one-month extension when the promised delivery date isn't met," Amazon once wrote on its customer service page (opens in new tab). "Prime Extensions are limited to one per free trial and 12 for an annual membership."

However, since the publishing of this article, that page has been updated to provide more general information about late shipments. It now suggests that Amazon will offer you a refund on your shipping fees. It makes no mention of Amazon Prime specifically. You will instead need to contact Amazon customer service, which according to many Internet users, will wind up giving you a free month.

Keep in mind that some internet users have reported even better perks in return for a late Amazon Prime delivery. Several posters have reported that the e-tailer offered anywhere from a $5 to $20 gift certificate toward any product on the site, a 20 percent discount on an Amazon Prime membership, or other offers.

It's unclear exactly what triggers Amazon to offer one deal over another, and it might have something to do with the time of year and whether you've complained before or not. But a quick look online clearly shows that Amazon is willing to offer more than just an extra month of Amazon Prime.

So, the question becomes, how do customers actually take advantage of such deals when their packages are later than Amazon promised?

What to Do If Your Amazon Prime Delivery Is Late (2)

To contact Amazon, it's best to use the company's Contact Us (opens in new tab) page. Here you'll have the option to either chat with a messaging assistant that can answer basic questions or direct users to the proper place to have their issue addressed.

The page also gives users the option of having Amazon call them, as well as a wait time, so they have a sense of how long it’ll take to hear back from the company.

MORE: Amazon Prime Best Movies

If neither option is suitable, Amazon also provides quick access to a slew of help pages on everything from checking an order and managing content on devices to getting help with Amazon Prime and updating payment information.

Generally, Amazon recommends selecting the phone option to get support more quickly; customers can specify which phone number the rep should call. Still, online-chat waiting times aren't bad and we've been able to speak with Amazon reps after waiting just a few minutes.

Talking to customer service

Once it's time to talk to a customer service rep, the process is somewhat simple. Customers simply confirm that they purchased a product and that it hasn't arrived. Amazon customer service will look into the claim, quickly determine that the package hasn't arrived and, in most cases, automatically offer a free month of Amazon Prime service.

But as mentioned, some people have been lucky enough to get more than a free month of Prime, so it's a good idea for customers to push back a bit and explain why the delay is such an inconvenience.

MORE: Shop today's best Amazon deals

Perhaps you ran out of critical household goods or you were counting on the product to land in time so it could be given as a gift. Whatever the case, the commenters suggest customers who come up with a good reason Amazon's delay is upsetting them are in a good position to get a bit more. As long as it's all done in a polite manner. In other words, writing in all caps or too much complaining will probably get you nowhere.

Given that Amazon’s official policy only allows for customer service representatives to offer a freebie on the first late Amazon Prime delivery, the company might be less willing to offer a deal if delays start to pile up. As such, it's a good idea to go for it all the first time around or face the possibility of more pushback on subsequent attempts.

Bonus tip: Avoid Twitter

What to Do If Your Amazon Prime Delivery Is Late (3)

One more thing: While it's fine to complain to Amazon on Twitter, the company discourages sharing order information on the social network and typically directs users to its customer service page. So, although Twitter might be more convenient, it won't expedite a resolution.

Shop today's best Amazon sales

  • More: How to watch birds using a security camera and a smart display

Don Reisinger is CEO and founder of D2 Tech Agency. A communications strategist, consultant, and copywriter, Don has also written for many leading technology and business publications including CNET, Fortune Magazine, The New York Times, Forbes, Computerworld, Digital Trends, TechCrunch and Slashgear. He has also written for Tom's Guide for many years, contributing hundreds of articles on everything from phones to games to streaming and smart home.

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What to Do If Your Amazon Prime Delivery Is Late (2024)

FAQs

What happens if Prime Now order is late? ›

If your Amazon Prime package is late or not delivered as per the guaranteed delivery date then your shipping fees will be refunded by the company. Does Amazon refund undelivered packages? You will be issued a full refund if the carrier returns an undeliverable package to Amazon.

What happens if an Amazon package doesn't come on time? ›

If we provide a guaranteed delivery date and a delivery attempt isn't made by this date, we'll refund any shipping fees associated with that order. The "order within" countdown timer provides the window of time in which you must place the order to receive your delivery by the date shown.

How late is too late for an Amazon package? ›

Amazon's standard delivery hours are 8 AM to 8 PM. In most cases, they won't deliver past 8 PM. However, if you're an Amazon Prime member and requested either same-day or two-day delivery for your package, then your order can arrive as late as 10 PM.

Is Amazon Prime no longer 2 day shipping? ›

Amazon did not get rid of 2-day shipping. It's still a part of its offering to Prime subscribers. However, starting in 2020, Amazon prioritized essential orders over other orders causing some Prime orders to be delayed.

Can I complain if my Amazon package is late? ›

To inquire about a refund of the shipping fees you paid on this order, contact us and click "An Order I Placed." Select your order, then select Problem with an order > Shipping or delivery issues > Shipment is late. Was this information helpful?

Can I sue Amazon for late delivery? ›

The answer is yes as long as the dispute is for $10,000 or less (more on this below). Here are some examples of small claims lawsuits against Amazon: Failure to deliver the items you purchased. For example, you purchased an item from Amazon but Amazon never delivered the item.

Can you get a refund for late delivery? ›

If you've ordered a package to be delivered to your house and it arrives late, you have a right to contact the retail company for a refund. Under the Consumer Contracts Regulations—laws established in 2014 to regulate purchases made online or over the phone—you're entitled to request a refund for late packages.

Does Amazon deliver after 9pm? ›

On the logistics side at least, they warn you that packages must be delivered before 9pm. The weekly emails even give a count of the number of packages delivered after 9pm. We frequently get blocks that end later than 9pm.

Why does my package say arriving today but not out for delivery? ›

It means that the carrier, or the one who is going to bring the package to your door, hasn't picked it up yet. That's why you'll sometimes run into a situation where Amazon says the package is arriving today but it isn't actually out for delivery.

Will Amazon deliver past 10pm? ›

So, how late can Amazon deliver packages? Short Answer: Amazon delivers packages and groceries between 6 am and 8 pm on Monday through Saturday. However, if there's a big backlog of deliveries, items may be delivered later, up to 10 pm. On Sunday, Amazon drivers can deliver packages from 9 am to 8 pm.

What does arriving by 8pm mean? ›

8pm is the time carriers typically stop delivering on any given day. So thats why they say "by 8pm". It also depends on the driver's route and where your neighborhood fits into it.

Does Amazon deliver at 4am? ›

If a customer selects to have their order delivered overnight, drivers will arrive between 4:30am-8am, which is noted on the product detail page and again at checkout.

Why is 2022 shipping so long? ›

Unfortunately, shipping in 2022 has been severely affected by massive delays. These problems are due to several factors, including increasing trade tensions between the U.S. and China and the dwindling qualified workforce to operate the ships.

Why are there shipping delays right now? ›

There are a number of current shipping issues impacting freight costs and shipping delays. Seasonality, a drop in available exports, and inflation's impact on consumer demand are causing decreased ocean pricing – though these remain extremely elevated compared to pre pandemic prices.

How long is Prime delivery? ›

Addresses in the contiguous US
Shipping speedAmazon Prime member price
Amazon Day DeliveryFree
No-Rush ShippingFree
Standard Shipping (4–5 business days)Free
Release-Date Delivery (on qualifying items)Free
4 more rows

How do I ask for compensation for late delivery? ›

How Can You Get Compensated if Your Package Delivery Has Been Delayed?
  1. Calling customer support.
  2. Emailing the company explaining the issue.
  3. Submitting an online refund request via the courier's official website.
  4. Visiting the courier's nearest facility and completing a refund request in person.

Will Amazon refund you if your package is stolen? ›

Amazon has a strict policy against package theft and offers an A-to-z Guarantee Protection for eligible items. If you believe your package has been stolen, you can file a claim with Amazon and they will investigate the matter. In most cases, Amazon will refund your purchase price, including shipping costs.

Can I get a refund if my Amazon package is missing? ›

Amazon Prime members receive very fast shipping, and if the package does not arrive, the company has a no-questions-asked policy and will provide a refund after 36 hours. If packages are late, Amazon will credit your account for the inconvenience.

Who do you call if you don't get your Amazon package? ›

If 48 hours have passed and there is still no sign of your delivery, you need to contact Amazon directly. Log in to Amazon and go to Help > Browse Help Topics > Need More Help > Contact Us. You can choose whether to speak via a bot or by phone (though the phone option is not immediately obvious).

Does Amazon deliver on Sunday? ›

Sunday delivery is available to every Amazon customer, regardless of whether or not you have a Prime account. If your package can be delivered on Sunday and that's when the delivery window lines up you'll be good to go – that's probably when your package will arrive.

Does Amazon deliver on Saturday? ›

Contiguous U.S. Note: In many areas Saturday and Sunday delivery may be available. If weekend delivery is available to your destination, it will be specified on the product page and/or during checkout.

How can I solve my late delivery problem? ›

Here are 11 strategies to avoid delivery delays and ensure faster shipping:
  1. Adopt Logistics Technology. ...
  2. Plan & Schedule in Advance. ...
  3. Set Minimum/Maximum. ...
  4. Make Package Finding Easier. ...
  5. Incorrect or Misspelled Addresses. ...
  6. Avoid Traffic. ...
  7. Avoid Failed Delivery Attempts. ...
  8. Improve Visibility Throughout the Process.
16 Mar 2022

Why is Amazon delayed in transit? ›

Amazon Package Delayed in Transit – Final Thoughts

In most cases, this is likely to be because of poor weather conditions or a high parcel volume. It is usually best to be patient and simply wait for your parcel to arrive.

How Long Does Amazon take to refund? ›

We typically process returns within 3-5 business days after the carrier delivers the item to our Returns Center. When we complete processing your return, we issue a refund to the selected payment method. Learn how to Track Your Return.

What does by 10pm mean Amazon? ›

Items ordered between midnight and 8 a.m. will arrive by 1 p.m., while goods between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. will arrive by 6 p.m. and products purchased between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. will arrive by 10 p.m. Orders placed between 5 p.m. and midnight will arrive overnight between 4:30 a.m. and 8 a.m.

Is Prime now 24 hours? ›

To take advantage of the new service, Prime members will need to download the Prime Now application, which is available on iOS and Android devices. Users will be notified on the app when the service is available in their local area. Prime Now is available from 6 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week.

How can I get my Amazon order faster? ›

To change the scheduled delivery date:
  1. Go to Your Orders and locate your order.
  2. Click Change Shipping Speed.
  3. Click Select Another Date and Time.
  4. From the calendar, select another date and time that works for you.
  5. Click Confirm.

Why does Amazon say arriving by 8PM but not out for delivery? ›

If your order hasn't been shipped yet Amazon says it is “Arriving Today by 8PM”, this could mean you will receive it today, as you live near a fulfillment center where this is possible. This could also be a logistical mistake, which means you'll receive it later. You can also receive messages for other time frames.

Does Amazon deliver at 11pm? ›

Monday through Saturday, Amazon delivers groceries and packages between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. However, if they have a high volume of deliveries, the item may be delivered later than 10 p.m. On Sundays, shipments get delivered between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m.

Can a package go from in transit to delivered? ›

What is this? Typically, a package will remain in transit until it reaches your local facility and is sorted onto a truck for delivery. Once it is on the truck, you will be notified that your item is out for delivery. A package that is still in transit will take a few more days to get to you.

What time are Amazon packages usually delivered? ›

Amazon packages usually arrive between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. local time.

Can you track an Amazon package on a map? ›

You can follow the progress of selected shipped packages in real time on a map. We'll notify you if you can track your package. To access Amazon Map Tracking, select Track Package from Your Orders or your shipment confirmation email. On the day of delivery, you can see the map when the driver is getting close to you.

What does it mean when a package is out for delivery? ›

What does “out for delivery” mean? “Out for delivery” means that the package you bought is on the truck that will drop it at your doorstep. It is another way of saying that the package is on its way to you and should be in your possession today or tomorrow at the latest.

What is the latest time a package can arrive? ›

You can assume it's around 5 pm, which is when most offices close their doors. For FedEx Home Delivery, however, end of day is 8 pm local time. If you're shipping packages, your cutoff for shipping out that day will vary by where you're shipping.

Can you pickup a package from an Amazon carrier facility? ›

Instead of having a package delivered to your home or business address, you can select an Amazon hub location. Then, you can pick up your package at a time that suits you. If all items in your order are eligible, you'll see the option to search for an Amazon Hub location during checkout.

How do I know what carrier is delivering my Amazon package? ›

The shipping method and carrier for your package will be listed in your account and in your shipment confirmation e-mail.

What packages require a signature? ›

However, signatures are always required for many types of shipments to be delivered, such as permitted shipments of alcohol, high value package goods, dangerous goods, hazardous materials, pharmaceuticals, and firearms.

How long is Amazon one day shipping? ›

In thousands of other cities and towns across the US, orders placed in the morning (typically by noon) are delivered by 9pm; orders placed in the afternoon will arrive the next day. Eligible items are marked as "Prime FREE Same-Day". FREE for Prime members on orders with at least $25 of eligible items.

How long is Amazon Same day delivery? ›

Most deliveries occur within hours after the order is placed: Orders made between midnight and 5 a.m. will arrive between 7 a.m. and 11 a.m. Orders made between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m. will arrive between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Orders made between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. will arrive between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Is shipping free with Amazon Prime? ›

You get unlimited FREE Two-Day Shipping on eligible items with Amazon Prime, with no minimum spend. To place an order: Add at least the stated minimum threshold of eligible items to your Shopping Cart.

What does on the way but it's running late? ›

If you receive an “In Transit Arriving Late” status message from the USPS, it usually means that your package is running late and may not be delivered on time.

Why is there a shipping crisis? ›

The surge in freight rates and associated costs were largely the result of a mismatch between soaring demand and reduced supply capacity, plus labour shortages and continued on-and-off Covid-19 restrictions imposed in port regions.

Why do packages go farther away? ›

Weather—Poor weather and natural disasters, such as floods and fires, are some of the usual reasons packages are stuck, delayed, or even lost in transit. Traffic—Rush hours, roadblocks, and similar traffic conditions often lead to packages getting delayed and rerouted.

How does late delivery affect clients? ›

So how do late deliveries affect your business? Late deliveries decrease your customer retention rate. In turn, late deliveries drastically decrease your customer lifetime value (and your return on whatever you spent to acquire the lost customers in the first place).

How long does an operational delay last? ›

That said, most operational delays are resolved within a couple of days. However, shipments (especially FedEx Ground) may get stuck for more than ten days.

Is Amazon Prime no longer 2-day shipping? ›

Amazon did not get rid of 2-day shipping. It's still a part of its offering to Prime subscribers. However, starting in 2020, Amazon prioritized essential orders over other orders causing some Prime orders to be delayed.

Do Prime members get 1 day delivery? ›

Prime offers a safe and convenient shopping experience on items Fulfilled by Amazon and on items fulfilled by qualified sellers who meet our high delivery standards.
...
Amazon Prime Shipping Benefits.
Shipping speedsCharges for Amazon Prime members
Same-Day Delivery*Free
Morning Delivery*₹50
One-Day DeliveryFree
Two-Day DeliveryFree
4 more rows

Is Amazon Prime free for students? ›

Students can get a six-month free trial to Amazon Prime Student — the longest free trial that Amazon currently offers (for comparison, non-students get a 30-day free trial). After that, students can continue with Amazon Prime for $7.49 a month — 50% off the regular membership price.

How long does it take for Amazon Prime to deliver? ›

Addresses in the contiguous US
Shipping speedAmazon Prime member price
Amazon Day DeliveryFree
No-Rush ShippingFree
Standard Shipping (4–5 business days)Free
Release-Date Delivery (on qualifying items)Free
4 more rows

Does Amazon deliver after 9pm? ›

On the logistics side at least, they warn you that packages must be delivered before 9pm. The weekly emails even give a count of the number of packages delivered after 9pm. We frequently get blocks that end later than 9pm.

Why does my package say arriving today but not out for delivery? ›

It means that the carrier, or the one who is going to bring the package to your door, hasn't picked it up yet. That's why you'll sometimes run into a situation where Amazon says the package is arriving today but it isn't actually out for delivery.

Do Amazon packages come earlier than expected? ›

Yes, Amazon packages can sometimes come early. This happens particularly for Amazon customers who don't have Amazon Prime. Amazon Prime members already benefit from fast shipping by being able to select one-day or two-day shipping. For some orders, customers can even get same-day shipping.

Why are there shipping delays right now? ›

There are a number of current shipping issues impacting freight costs and shipping delays. Seasonality, a drop in available exports, and inflation's impact on consumer demand are causing decreased ocean pricing – though these remain extremely elevated compared to pre pandemic prices.

Is Amazon Prime free for students? ›

Students can get a six-month free trial to Amazon Prime Student — the longest free trial that Amazon currently offers (for comparison, non-students get a 30-day free trial). After that, students can continue with Amazon Prime for $7.49 a month — 50% off the regular membership price.

What's the fastest Amazon delivery? ›

Same-Day Delivery is available seven days a week most days of the year, with limited availability on certain holidays and high-volume shopping days, including Black Friday and Prime Day. Same-Day delivery isn't available on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, or New Year's Day.

What does by 10pm mean Amazon? ›

Items ordered between midnight and 8 a.m. will arrive by 1 p.m., while goods between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. will arrive by 6 p.m. and products purchased between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. will arrive by 10 p.m. Orders placed between 5 p.m. and midnight will arrive overnight between 4:30 a.m. and 8 a.m.

Is Prime now 24 hours? ›

To take advantage of the new service, Prime members will need to download the Prime Now application, which is available on iOS and Android devices. Users will be notified on the app when the service is available in their local area. Prime Now is available from 6 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week.

How can I get my Amazon order faster? ›

To change the scheduled delivery date:
  1. Go to Your Orders and locate your order.
  2. Click Change Shipping Speed.
  3. Click Select Another Date and Time.
  4. From the calendar, select another date and time that works for you.
  5. Click Confirm.

Why does Amazon say arriving by 8PM but not out for delivery? ›

If your order hasn't been shipped yet Amazon says it is “Arriving Today by 8PM”, this could mean you will receive it today, as you live near a fulfillment center where this is possible. This could also be a logistical mistake, which means you'll receive it later. You can also receive messages for other time frames.

Does Amazon deliver after 10pm? ›

Amazon is quite reliable when it comes to package delivery. On weekdays, most deliveries are made between the hours of 8 am and 8 pm. However, in some cases, your package may arrive as late as 10 pm if the driver is running behind schedule. Driver's deliver as many as 300 packages per day.

What does arriving by 8PM mean on Amazon? ›

It can arrive anytime between now and 8pm, that's why it says "BY 8PM". They have the route for deliveries already. One of my friends gets Amazon packages always around 10:30AM, mine usually come around 5PM. Just how it works. 1.

Does Amazon deliver on Sunday? ›

Sunday delivery is available to every Amazon customer, regardless of whether or not you have a Prime account. If your package can be delivered on Sunday and that's when the delivery window lines up you'll be good to go – that's probably when your package will arrive.

Does Amazon tell how many stops? ›

Map tracking allows you to arrange to be at the property when your package is due for delivery or to nominate a safe place for your delivery. Sometimes, a driver may need to change their route. You will continue to see the map but won't see the number of stops. You can still expect your package that day.

Does Amazon deliver early in the morning? ›

According to the Amazon website, deliveries can occur between 6am and 10pm but 'to avoid disturbing you, our drivers will knock on the door, ring the doorbell or directly contact you for delivery only between the hours of 8am and 8pm'.

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