Some Amazon Prime Orders Now Delayed Up to a Month
This article was last updated on 4/1/2020
Amazon is answering questions regarding recent shipping delays and item availability.
Amid widespread store closures due to coronavirus and shoppers wanting to avoid the crowds at stores that are still open, online shopping has become a lifeline for countless Americans.
However, this recent and unexpected surge in online shopping has left Amazon struggling to meet the needs of many of its customers. While Amazon’s daily operations continue, delivery times are longer than usual with reduced availability of many high-demand items.
Amazon has taken measures to keep up with increased demand like hiring over 100,000 additional workers, prioritizing shipments of essential items and offering increased No-Rush shipping rewards, but many customers are still experiencing significant delays with their Amazon-fulfilled shipments.
Recently, Amazon added a new Frequently Asked Question page to its website, addressing these concerns and other questions that have been raised by customers as the coronavirus crisis continues to unfold.
Amazon is currently working with its selling partners to prioritize household staples, medical supplies, and other high demand products. While customers in the US will have to wait longer than usual for shipments of non-essential goods, Amazon is still accepting orders for these items and shipping them out as they can.
The information shared on the FAQ page covers other areas of customer interest as well, such as what the company is doing about returns, price gouging, and increasing the availability of Prime Now and Fresh delivery.
This post from Amazon’s Day 1 Blog is also being regularly updated with the latest information on how the company is protecting the safety of its customers, communities, and employees during these challenging times.
These stores are offering special hours for seniors and other vulnerable shoppers.
I’m an Amazon Prime member and yes, I get frustrated at orders being delayed.
Amazon is trying to keep up.
Do you get mad at your local grocer because he’s out of toilet paper? I don’t because in a smaller town, he’s doing the best he can with what he can get in.
I am overly thrilled that Amazon stepped up. Essentials are medical stuff, food and yes TP etc. Im at work eating lunch at my desk and figuring out how to get groceries for my parents in Puerto Rico where commodities arent a given. No shiptit. Not uber eats in little town, no grocery deliveries. I had to jump hoops to get items to them. It has taken me 7 days and $$$ and meanwhile a coworker wanting to order games because shes bored and people on here Easter. #firstworldproblems Please turn on the news and actually listen. This is no longer about keeping the normal or traditions with a fake bunny… my heart is broken by seeing the comments on this point. We still dont get it.
Another perk of prime I’ve been able to take advantage of and am grateful for is Whole Foods grocery delivery. I know they are not the cheapest grocer, but during this time, we don’t mind paying a bit more to minimize our risk. We have a child with respiratory problems. I know some things will not be in stock or may get substituted but that is the same everywhere. We also scheduled Walmart curbside… it has been nice to have both resources. Easter will be different this year, but I am so thankful for many things including trmhe blessing of family and friends and our health. Like Christmas, it just helps my family focus on the reason for the season/holiday.
I always had the general impression that Whole Foods was pricier too, until I shopped there a couple times. I was surprised to discover that their prices were very similar to Publix’s (the main grocery store chain in my area) on things I regularly buy. Like any store, a few things were a few cents more expensive and a few things were a bit cheaper. Two reasons that I can think of: (1) Their prices may have gone down since Amazon bought them (and I’m a Prime member so I was able to take advantage of the sales). (2) they specialize in specialty products (organic, allergen-free, alternative ingredients, etc.) which tend to be higher priced than their mainstream counterparts regardless of where you buy them.
I say Amazon is swamped by orders because people are doing as we are told and avoiding going to the store as much as possible. If you can’t realize that Mr. Smith down the street needs toilet paper more than your kids need their Easter basket junk then you’ve got issues. Get creative. Cut out carrots out of any boxes you have, paint them, cut out holes so you can tie a granola bar to the back of the carrot and fill the basket/tub/cup with those. Look for old Easter stuff or non-Easter stuff(pencils, books, stickers) your kids have not yet used and regift them to your kids. We all buy things when there are good deals. You’ve got to have stuff around the house to make some sort of basket. You can give them all regular, non-Easter themed stuff and dress it up to look Easter-ish. Stick what you can in plastic Easter eggs and use cardboard/posterboard/paper cutouts to dress everything up to look Easter-y. Be creative. Make a family Easter basket with popcorn and movie theater type snacks and order a movie for 1 night, record a movie ahead of time or even use Netflix. Most kids remember moment, not material things. I think those with Prime should understand that their orders are not backed up because Amazon does not care about their order, because that is not the case. Ultimately, if you feel you aren’t getting your money’s worth then put your money where your mouth is and cut ties. That goes for Amazon or any other company/service.
Hey Hip team – how about a post of some kind (maybe a challenge where each team member comes up with something like you did with the Walmart outfit posts) with ideas of how to put together an Easter basket with things you already have to help out anyone who doesn’t have the opportunity, for whatever reason, to purchase Easter-specific things?
What a fun and creative idea! Thanks for the request! I will be sure to pass this along to the team! 🙌💖
All prime payments should be suspended during this time. It’s not being whiney,it’s about being charged for services you’re but receiving especially at a time when so many are out of work. It is wrong that they are continuing to charge for prime right now.
Be sure to check out local businesses. I discovered through a Facebook page in our town multiple small businesses that are doing “no contact drop points” in various locations once a week. For example, one cleaning company sells bunk cleaners (dish soap, laundry soap, bleach, etc.) in 5 gallon containers. They have a scheduled time and you show up at the designated parking lot. You pay electronically and they place it in your trunk. I’ve also ordered from a local farm that does drops the same way- I got sausage, hamburger, chicken and fresh eggs. It’s a great way to stay out of the store and support local businesses too!
Wow. Reading through the comments… some of you need to get over your first world problems.
Seriously, to get mad because you can’t get your refrigerated lunch? Or your Easter baskets? What? I’m just hoping I can find toilet paper before I run out. I’m also hoping my family that works in public service is safe and doesn’t get this😔
Yep, the healthcare workers on the front lines of this getting themselves sick to save people’s lives really shouldn’t eat lunch at all, even if it is usually at 4 or 5 pm on a regular nonpandemic work day. Thanks for the reality check, everyone!
A lot of people are working long hours. A lot of them in equally if not more dangerous positions, not demanding ridiculous things.
Time to be resourceful and figure something else out.
I will stop. I am just sincerely disappointed in the amount of judgement and backlash. Total strangers who don’t even know me or my circumstances have appointed themselves my judge. It’s arrogant. Apparently, COVID has not brought out humanity’s humility. 😞
Geez some of these comments… Amazon is delivering a lot of these products to hospitals and things because the crazy people that are hoarding things it’s trying to price gouge. Give us all a break. Try working in a place that has 6,000 people normally but only half come in because they’re afraid. Some buildings have a line of trucks waiting to get in all the way to the highway. There is only so much space. Please be patient. Thank you to all of the understanding people.
Order in advance. It might take longer, but at least you don’t have to risk hunting and schlepping a cart through a store. I’ve appreciated having the service. Well worth the price of not subjecting my immune system to this horrible, awful mess.
Amazon should do the right thing and extend Prime memberships for however long it takes to work through this. They are offering all kinds of free services to people that aren’t Prime members….Prime Video, Prime Music, etc. Would be nice if they did something for loyal customers too.
FYI Amazon has warehouse workers that tested positive for Coronavirus in 6 warehouses in the U.S.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2020/03/24/amazon-warehouse-workers-coronavirus-positive/
Oh I am sure that every company shipping has positive cases. UPS, FEDEX, USPS has them, too. I handle all of my packages with gloves, toss the outer box immediately or let it sit for 24 hours before opening it.
CDC says leave boxes in your garage for 24 hours before opening. Virus only lives on surface for that long. You can also wipe box down with disinfectant.
Doesn’t work if you don’t have a garage. I can’t leave my items outside overnight. Luckily, I have gloves, so I wear those when handling packages. But someone living in an apartment doesn’t have the choice.
I haven’t had any month long delays. I understand the frustration, though. Right now it feels like all we can control is what we order for our home and family. I honestly didn’t think I would get half of my S & S order, but it all shows in stock and being prepared for shipment. I ordered a book and a citronella candle and expected a month on that, but it will be here Friday, only 5 days later. I do think that they should extend everyone’s Prime membership for at least an extra month. It would be a nice gesture, but I won’t be angry if they don’t. Amazon has always had top notch service for me and has taken care of stolen package replacements, returns, etc that I didn’t expect them to even deal with. Once my orders come in this week I am going to stop making them.
I do wish they would have given us Music Unlimited for free, but I paid it anyway. I need some tunes to help with this stress! Be well, everyone!
At this point I just wish I had an indication of the approximate ship date for my subscribe and save order for March. I’m pretty desperate for some of the items, but I don’t want to jump the gun and run my largely pregnant self from store to store if my shipments will suddenly process in the near future.
They just out of stocked diapers that were on my s&s..now what Amazon? Thanks because thoss aren’t essential are they?
They simply don’t have what you ordered. Try another brand or store.
Cloth diapers, diaper pins and rubber pants? Or the newer ones that are one piece with snaps. They have plenty in stock.
I so appreciate that Amazon is putting essential items first during this crazy time.