Prime Delivery Delays: What’s Going On with Freight Handling in Australia?

Are you a Prime member? If you are, you might be wondering what happened to the fast delivery options. Initially, Amazon Prime offered one- or two-day deliveries, or sometimes even three. Now, it seems that the best you can get is 2 weeks. That's a significant change from the expectations set by Prime membership.

Understanding the Current Situation

If you are a Prime member, you may now need to designate a 'prime delivery day.' This is a day that you choose as your primary delivery day. However, many items are still available overnight, and you may be charged a small amount for overnight delivery. So, it's important to be aware of the potential delivery charges.

Moreover, it seems that the worsening of delivery times isn't just limited to Prime services. The freight handling in general has seen a significant shift in the Australian market. For instance, JBHiFi, a well-known electronics retailer, used to offer next-day delivery or at most 2 days. Now, the options start from a week and get even worse. Even the express options mean at least 4 working days, due to the online listings appearing on Wednesdays.

Despite these challenges, I still find Amazon to be among the best for delivery in Australia. Many items still reach customers in 2 days, even if the specified date was a week from now. My last delivery from the US took 3 weeks, which, considering international shipping, is considered speedy.

The Real Problem Behind the Delay

The real issue, it seems, is the societal shift from buying in-store to ordering online. The current freight systems for small parcels are struggling to handle the increased volume. Additionally, many online sellers simply do not have the systems in place to get items out rapidly. This can lead to shipping delays and dissatisfaction among customers.

One tech company I engage with is a prime example of the problem. They take a week to get an item picked up by the freight company, and it happens all the time. This inefficiency often results in significant delays for customers, and I personally consider them incompetent.

Similarly, I suspect a lot of the suppliers on Amazon are also dealing with these inefficiencies. The majority of the time spent in delivery is often spent in the warehouse, where little productive work is being done. When Amazon has items in their warehouse, they can still manage to deliver within 2 days, showcasing the robustness of their internal processes.

Another noteworthy point is that Amazon is the only company delivering on Saturdays and Sundays in Australia, apart from supermarkets. This flexibility can be a huge advantage for time-sensitive orders.

Conclusion

While delivery times for Prime and other services have become slower, understanding the reasons behind these delays and the efforts being made by companies like Amazon can help manage expectations. As consumers, we must also support companies that demonstrate robust logistical systems and customer service to help improve the overall delivery experience.