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Shipping Method

Maxwell W.
Updated

Here we will go over our shipping methods offered by Alien Gear Holsters. There are certain details that may help you understand the nuances, context, pros and cons of each of these offerings. It is important to note that all shipping time quotes are separate from lead time. This means that, regardless of shipping method chosen, the lead time to hand build your products will still be applicable to how long you will wait until your order ships.

 

Once your order is a "complete" status it will enter the "shipping" phase and will be subject to the info below and should correspond fairly closely to the description of the shipping method you chose.  As a courtesy to our shipping providers we like to ask that a 1-2 grace period be extended after a package shows as "delivered". 

  • FedEx Smart Post
    • Pros
      • ! This is the only viable method available to ship to a P.O. Box
      • Twice as many tracking options (FedEx & USPS)
      • No additional charge for package refusal
      • Usually the least expensive
    • Cons
      • No date specific guarantee
      • Can take 20-30 days in few but some instances to deliver
      • Not considered "Lost" until 14 days after no movement
      • Radio silence when USPS does not capture hand off
      • Radio silence in between distribution hubs
      • No ability to redirect beyond established forwarding address
    • Description

FedEx Smart Posts is a collaborative effort between Federal Express (FedEx) and United States Postal Service (USPS). It is very important to mention that FedEx Smart Post is not a date specific guaranteed service. Your package will start with FedEx and remain in their possession until it is handed off to USPS.

 

This is usually not until the package has reached your local area. This handoff may be indicated by  Mail Innovations will usually be one of the least expensive options offered for shipping. There will be sales and promotions where this shipment option is offered for free. To unlock the option for free usually requires a certain order value to be exceeded. Historically this has been around the $100.00 price point but may vary form campaign to campaign. Also this total will have to be reached before adding tax, shipping and handling. 

 

In some cases the system may not update upon the handoff from FedEx to USPS. This can result in updates ceasing until after the package has delivered and many USPS employees will not see that they have received it. This can be very frustrating but there is a silver lining. 99.5% of these orders do get delivered successfully. The package does have to be a minimum of 8 business days late before Alien Gear can take further actions. 

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  • FedEx Ground
    • Pros
      • Reasonably Fast delivery for the cost
      • Better trackability
      • No handoff resulting in less interruption in tracking
      •  
    • Cons
      • Slightly more expensive
      • No Delivery to P.O. Boxes, Alaska, Hawaii, or US Territories
      •  
    • Description

FedExGround gives you cost-effective, reliable ground delivery within one to five business days. You also get free tracking information for your shipment, 24/7.

  • FedEx 2nd Day Air
    • Pros
      • Most orders will qualify for flat rate shipping 
      • Very expedient 
      • Very clear tracking
      •  
    • Cons
      • First and last leg of delivery are by truck
      • Holiday weekends can add 1-2 days 
      • No Delivery to P.O. Boxes
      •  
    • Description

FedEx 2nd Day Air offers a much cleaner and quicker option. In some cases we have made this option available for less than FedEx Smart Post. We did this to provide a quicker, cleaner method for our customers. Unfortunately, beyond a certain weight, we are no longer able to keep the price point that beats or competes with FedEx Smart Post. Orders shipping with this method can expect their package to leave our facility by FedEx Ground. It is then dropped off at the nearest FedEx Air facility. For us this means Spokane International Airport located about 40 miles from our headquarters in Post Falls, Idaho. From there your package will travel to whichever FedEx Air facility is closest to the delivery address. From there it will travel and be delivered by FedEx Ground. In 95% of orders shipped with this method will see their package 3-4 day from when the order goes into a "complete" status. This can see a 1-2 day increase in time when orders that are shipped on a Friday especially if it is any type of holiday weekend. 

NOTE: Orders that get moved to a status of "Complete" after 2:45pm PST will not get picked up until 3pm the following business day. 

  • FedEx Next Day Air
    • Pros
      • Very expedient
      • Clean and easy tracking
      • Date Specific delivery
    • Cons
      • No Delivery to P.O. Boxes
      • Cost
    • Description

FedEx Next Day Air is the quickest shipping option we offer. It is usually the most expensive but is a good option if you need something in serious hurry. It is important to know that all orders are still subject to the current lead time to hand build your products. Orders shipping with this method can expect their package to leave our facility by FedEx Ground. It is then dropped off at the nearest FedEx Air facility. For us this means Spokane International Airport located about 40 miles from our headquarters in Post Falls, Idaho. From there your package will travel to whichever FedEx Air facility is closest to the delivery address. From there it will travel and be delivered by FedEx Ground. In 95% of orders shipped with this method will see their package 2-3 days from when the order goes into a "complete" status. This can see a 1-2 day increase in time when orders that are shipped on a Friday especially if it is any type of holiday weekend. 

NOTE: Orders that get moved to a status of "Complete" after 2:45pm PST will not get picked up until 3pm the following business day. 

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