Why Is Amazon Delivery So Slow? (Reasons & How to Solve in 2024)

You're not alone if you've ever wondered why your Amazon Prime deliveries seem to take forever. In this article, we'll explore the reasons behind Amazon's delivery delays and what the company is doing to improve its shipping times.

Amazon is known for its quick shipping, but it is not the only company with speed issues. There are times when customers have to wait a long time for their items to arrive in their hands. It's even worse with Amazon Prime's free 2-day delivery option because sometimes the item will never get there. Even though Amazon is well-known for being reliable and professional, there are several reasons why Amazon's delivery time is so slow — and they're all out of Amazon's control. Let’s get started.

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Reasons Why Amazon Delivery Is So Slow

Amazon’s shipping methods are often criticized for being slow, but there are several reasons why it takes so long to ship from Amazon. Here are some of the most common reasons why Amazon delivery is slow:

Truck Driver Shortages

There are several reasons why Amazon delivery might be slow, but one of the most likely reasons is truck driver shortages. It is an ongoing problem in the trucking industry that has only gotten worse in recent years. With more goods being shipped, there aren't enough drivers to keep up with demand. This shortage means drivers are often overworked and stressed, leading to delivery delays. Amazon is working on ways to mitigate this problem, but it's still something that customers should be aware of when they're expecting a delivery.

Third-Party Seller Timelines

If you're an Amazon Prime member, you're probably used to getting your packages delivered quickly and efficiently. But what happens when a third-party seller fulfills your order? You might sometimes end up waiting a lot longer for your delivery. Third-party sellers are businesses or individuals that sell products on Amazon.

While Amazon does vet these sellers to ensure they meet specific standards, they don't have the same kind of control over their shipping timelines as they do with their products. That means that if a third-party seller is running behind on orders, your package could be delayed. And unfortunately, there's not much you can do about it except wait.

Parcel Shipping Strikes

Delivery strikes, when employees walk off the job due to labor union demands, can also cause shipping delays. For example, a series of strikes by UPS workers caused delays for Amazon and other online retailers.

Small PO BOX

Another reason is a small P.O BOX, which means that if there's not enough space in your P.O BOX for an entire order, then everything would have to be sent back or rerouted elsewhere until there was enough room in the box.

Extreme Weather Conditions

Extreme weather conditions are one of the most common reasons for delivery slowdowns. It's not just storms and hurricanes that can cause delays — snowstorms and blizzards can also impact delivery times. The safety of Amazon’s drivers and employees is their top priority. Road conditions are too dangerous in some areas to risk sending out drivers.

Large Orders and Low Supplies

If you've ordered a large number of items, it's going to take longer to receive your shipment. Amazon has trouble fulfilling large orders when there are delays from weather or strikes in other parts of the supply chain that enable faster delivery options such as air travel or trucking services like FedEx or UPS. Second, if Amazon is low on stock of the items you've ordered, it will also take longer to receive your shipment.

Custom and Handmade Items

Custom and handmade items may take longer to ship because the seller has to create the item from scratch. It takes time and care, especially if the item is intricate or delicate. Additionally, some sellers may not have a lot of stock on hand and may need to make each item to order. It can further delay shipping times.

Another reason Amazon's delivery times for custom and handmade items may be slow is that the company has to quality check each item before it ships. It is to ensure that the customer receives a high-quality product. This process can add additional time to slow shipping times already.

If you are expecting a custom or handmade item from Amazon, be prepared for potential delays in receiving your order. Check the seller's estimated shipping time before placing your order to know what to expect. And if you're in a hurry, try contacting the seller directly to see if they can expedite shipping for you.

Ground Travel and Air Travel

Ground travel vs. air travel is another reason for delayed shipments. When an item is being shipped by ground transportation (as opposed to air), it takes anywhere from 2-5 days longer to get from point A to B than if it was sent by amazon via air freight.

Ground travel is slower but often cheaper, so Amazon may choose this option to save on costs. Additionally, traffic and weather conditions can delay shipments. Sometimes, Amazon may also be waiting on a delivery from another company before it can ship out your order.

What to Do For Delayed Deliveries

There are a few things you can do to try and speed up the process:

Check the tracking information for your package and see if there are any updates.

You can track order with these steps:

Step 1: Open the Amazon app on your phone and click on the menu button in the top right corner of your screen.

Step 2: Choose Order History from the menu options at the top of your screen.

Step 3: It will take you to a page that shows all of your orders for that particular product, along with any other information available about those orders (e.g., tracking numbers).

Step 4: Select the order you want to track.

Step 5: Click on Track Package. -Contact Amazon customer service and inquire about the status of your package.

-If you live in a rural area, consider having your package delivered to a friend or family member who lives in a more urban area. It can help speed up the process.

Conclusion

One of the main reasons Amazon strives to remain a top service provider is its desire to offer quick shipping methods. For example, they offer regular free shipping on items with orders of $35 or more. Furthermore, if you are a prime member (which is free), you can get free two-day shipping on most items. They also offer one-day and same-day shipping, although consumers do not as commonly use this.