I'm looking at the calendar this morning and see that there are only two weeks left before Christmas, so I think it's time to talk about shipping cutoffs and deadlines so that anything you need before Christmas actually gets to you before Christmas!
Super Saver Shipping (Dec 11th) - We ship your super saver and/or free ship orders several ways depending on your order's size, breadth, weight, and product type. The default method is usually standard mail, however, we may also use First Class service, SmartPost, or even Ground service for larger orders. The holiday cutoff for standard mail service is probably around today (Dec 11th), meaning that each day after your package has less and less chance of reaching you by Christmas. The other services have a little longer window, but when you choose super saver you can't be sure how it will ship so don't risk it - after today choose Priority Mail or Ground shipping if you definitely need it b/f the holidays.
Priority Mail / Ground Shipping (Dec 17th) - Even though Pri Mail and Ground can have vastly different quoted leads times, we like to cut both off around the same time. This time of year Pri Mail can take twice as long as usual to get from us to you, and next week both UPS and FedEx will suspend their delivery guarantees for ground shipments due to the holiday rush. I would peg the cutoff for Pri Mail / Ground service this year at around Dec 17th, though if you are closer to our warehouse in Virginia that could probably be bumped up to as far as the 21st. Bottom line, get your holiday orders in before the 17th and choose Pri Mail or Ground service to ensure pre-Christmas delivery.
FedEx Express Two Day and Overnight (Dec 22nd/23rd) - We're famous for getting last minute Anime orders to customers on time during the holidays, and this year you can use FedEx Express 2nd Day service right up until Dec 22nd, and Overnight through the 23rd to get your holiday orders on time.Just keep in mind for last minute shopping there may be stuff we're sold out of, so try to place your orders as early as you can.
International (Dec 11th / Dec 21st) - The shipping cutoff for holiday delivery of Airmail parcels is today. Canadians may have a few more days for this service, but every year Canadian customs gets pretty bogged down around this time and they have never failed to disappoint us in the past. After today, I recommend you choose either EMS or FedEx International service for time sensitive orders. They should deliver on time if shipped right up until the 21st of Dec.
We'll be in the next two weekends to make sure that as many of your weekend orders go out on the following Monday if possible. Count on that we'll be doing our part, just keep in mind the carriers might have a different view and plan accordingly. :-)
