Last-minute shopping: so everything arrives on time by Christmas Eve

Last minute shopping
So everything will come in time by Christmas Eve

The corona pandemic has another problem in store for last-minute shoppers this year. So that you can be sure that the gifts you have ordered are under the Christmas tree or that parcels that have been sent will reach friends and loved ones on time, you will have to be there earlier in 2020 than usual. Here is an overview of the order deadlines for some of the largest German retailers, shops and parcel services. But be careful, the following applies to all dealers: Possible delays due to bad weather conditions or other factors that cannot be influenced are not included. Special forms of delivery such as express deliveries are usually more expensive than standard delivery.

Amazon

Amazon has not yet given any order deadlines. As in previous years, the relevant information should also be published here soon. At the moment, next to articles, the note "Delivery before Christmas" is sometimes displayed.

Apple

If you want to give away an Apple Watch, AirPods or maybe even an iPhone, you should find out about the relevant delivery times on a website set up by Apple, as not all products can be shipped in time for Christmas. The iPhone 12 or Apple TV can be ordered until December 22nd, an iPad mini only until December 15th. Other items will definitely not be shipped early enough by Apple.

Conrad Electronic

Due to the current situation, Conrad Electronic does not give any fixed delivery times for 2020. "Due to the extraordinary situation and the dynamic order development with a view to Christmas, Conrad Electronic asks for your understanding that no binding dates for order and delivery deadlines can be given this year," explains a spokeswoman for the company when asked by spot on news. It is generally advisable to order gifts early. Conrad has put together tips for customers in a video.

Ikea

The furniture giant Ikea also does not want to give any delivery times upon request. You will experience "this special year (…) online demand has increased significantly. At the moment, this is reflected in longer delivery times for our customers." Therefore it is currently not possible to "make a forecast regarding the delivery times in December". Alternatively, there is the "Click & Collect" service. Customers can use it to order items online and pick them up at a furniture store of their choice. They are working flat out on additional capacities for everything to do with delivery.

MediaMarkt and Saturn

Shoppers should simply order new technology from MediaMarkt and Saturn as soon as possible, because the company did not want to announce any fixed delivery times upon request. "Due to the special situation this year, we are currently unable to make any binding statements regarding our order deadlines for the festival," said a company spokeswoman. That is why one is "in close contact" with the parcel service providers.

Otto

At Otto, spontaneous people can place their orders until December 22nd at 4:00 p.m., explains a company spokesman. Express shipping is also available for selected items, for which an order is possible until December 23 at 6:00 p.m. In both cases, Hermes will make at least one delivery attempt by 4:00 p.m. on Christmas Eve. In the case of household electrical appliances such as refrigerators or washing machines, this is done if the order is received by December 20th at 10:30 p.m.

Tchibo

At Tchibo, too, they are not quite sure by when customers have to order. Nevertheless, the dealer gives an appointment on request. Due to Corona, it is not yet possible to foresee with the transport partners how the ordering options and the volume of parcels will develop. "Anyone who orders by December 19 this year, whether delivery to their home or to one of our branches, should be on the safe side," explains a company spokesman.

Zalando

"To ensure that the parcel arrives in Germany in time for Christmas, customers can order standard delivery until noon on December 18, 2020," explains fashion giant Zalando when asked. "All orders that we receive by 3 p.m. on December 22, 2020 can still be delivered on time via express delivery." The dealer points out that there could be "unforeseen delays" in the event of slippery ice or heavy snowfall.

Parcel service

In response to a request from spot on news, GLS advised "to send the parcels as early as possible since unpredictable events such as traffic jams, blocked roads or highways, weather conditions such as snowfall etc. can lead to delays, especially in the run-up to Christmas" in October. For parcels within Germany, an order should therefore be placed no later than December 22nd, for shipments to neighboring EU countries by December 21st and for other European countries by December 18th.

Deutsche Post had also announced in October that it would also deliver parcels in the evening during the run-up to Christmas. If you want to ensure that a parcel arrives on time within Germany, you should hand it in by 12 noon on December 19th at the latest. For shipments to neighboring European countries, December 14th is the deadline and parcels to other European countries should be posted by December 10th. Letters and postcards should be in the mail by December 22nd.

A spokesman for DPD Germany had confirmed that "there will indeed be significant increases in parcel volumes over the next few weeks." So that a parcel can arrive on time by Christmas Eve, it should be posted by December 22nd at the latest.

Since we have been working towards this for months, "with our capacities and the various precautions we have taken, we are well positioned for the additional quantities that are now rolling in," a spokeswoman for Hermes Germany confirmed on request. Shipments within Germany should be handed in by 12:00 noon on December 21st, so that they will definitely end up under the Christmas tree. Pick-ups at the front door should also be planned for December 21st at the latest. For international deliveries, December 15th is the key date.

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