People often want extremely fast delivery.
Please read the following information, so you aren't caught short.
We do our best to ensure the fastest delivery possible. But even Superman has limits....

• Delivery Process
• Delivery Times
• Sample Scenarios
• Gift Advice
• Shipping Method vs. Arrival
• Trip Advice
• When it absolutely must be there by a given day 

• Courses
• Crystal Reports tools
• Downloads
• Other stuff

Delivery Process

1. The factory gets the order, processes it, sends it to the shipping department.
2. Shipping packs the order, prepares it for pickup by UPS, FedEx, etc.
3. The shipping company (UPS, FedEx) picks it up late that afternoon.

Notice, there's a chain of events, here. Please allow time for it. It may take an hour or even several hours for your order to be ready to ship.

Many factors affect this. These include the number of other orders, and any number of problems being handled with your order or other orders. People try very hard, but, like you, they can do only so much.

On Mondays, our suppliers are processing weekend orders in addition to Monday orders. Order processing for physical items occurs only on regular business days--when the factory is open and people are working there.

Delivery Times

People often get confused on delivery times. The following will help you understand how this works. Keep in mind that the delivery companies count business days only, and do not deliver on weekends or holidays. Or during major storms or during electrical blackouts, or during terrorist attacks....

Our vendors process orders usually on the same day. The times shown below assume this, but you may need to add one day for complete accuracy.

These items do not automatically arrive in your mailbox. You will either get one of the following:

• An e-mail with download link (automated)
• A license key via e-mail (automated)
• An XML license (manual).

Courses

Check your e-mail for a download link. You should receive these about 5 seconds after you place your order. This is an automated process. If you don't get that e-mail, contact us by simply replying to your confirmation e-mail and then typing a note that you don't have your download instructions.

Crystal Reports tools

You'll get either a license key or an e-mail from the developer with an XML license. If there's no trial version, you'll also get download instructions or actual files. This may take up to 24 hours, due to time zone differences.

Downloads

If you ordered a course or some other product that is electronic delivery but does not have a trial file, you will receive the product, rather than a license, via FTP download. The system will automatically e-mail you download instructions. If you don't have those after 5 minutes, please contact us by simply replying to your confirmation e-mail and then typing a note (at the top) that you don't have your download instructions.

Other stuff

Contact us by e-mail, if you are confused. The confusion isn't your fault, so we will definitely help straighten it out.

Sample Scenarios

Let's assume you place your order at midnight on Thursday, and all of your information is correct (e.g., no PO Box for Ship To). UPS (or maybe FedEx) picks up your order on Friday.

• Next Day Air. Friday is Day One. You receive it on Monday.  If there's a holiday Monday, you receive it on Tuesday.
• 2nd Day Air. Friday is Day One, Monday is Day Two. You receive in on Monday.  If there's a holiday Monday, you receive it on Wednesday.
• Three-day Select. Friday is Day One, Monday is Day Two, Tuesday is Day Three. You receive it on Tuesday.  If there's a holiday Monday, you receive it on Wednesday.
• UPS Ground. This is 3 to 5 business days from the day your order ships.

Let's assume you place your order at 0900 Central Time on Tuesday.

• Next Day Air. You receive it on Wednesday.
• 2nd Day Air. Wednesday is Day One, Thursday is Day Two. You receive in on Tuesday. 
• Three-day Select. Wednesday is Day One, Thursday is Day Two, Friday is Day Three. You receive it on Friday.  If there's a holiday Monday, you receive it on Thursday.
• UPS Ground. This is 3 to 5 business days from the day your order ships.

Now, let's assume you place your order at 1400 (that's 2PM if you use a 12hr clock) Central Time on Monday. This is a very busy day. The order was received too late to be filled on Monday, so it will follow the exact same delivery schedule as though it had been placed early on Tuesday.

Suppose that, in these delivery scenarios, there is a major weather problem or electrical blackout. What can we expect, then? Add at least one or two days for the delivery, even if you specified overnight delivery. For example, you specify overnight delivery at 0900 on Wednesday. The eastern seaboard is buried in snow that night. You will probably get delivery on the following Tuesday.

Gift advice

• Don't try to time delivery to the day something needs to be there. Allow yourself more time. You will be glad you did.
• Tip: If you are ordering an electronic translation device, plan on giving the actual device outside of the event being celebrated. There's a limited time available to evaluate the product. See our return policy.
• If you don't want to give the gift before the event, what can you do? Very simple. Just print out the product description and picture of the item and provide that along with the birthday card or whatever. Give the actual gift, later. We can ship it to the recipient, or to you--whichever you prefer.

Shipping method vs. arrival

Choosing overnight delivery doesn't guarantee you'll get the item the next day. It means the delivery company will try to deliver your order the next business day after they pick it up from the factory. The factory may not have it ready in time for the pickup until the following business day, weather may prevent next day delivery, and people can make mistakes.

Trip advice

• Don't wait until just before you leave to place your order. A delivery delay might mean the product arrives after you are gone.
• If you are ordering a translator, be aware that these devices are not like the translators on Star Trek. You will need to spend some time getting familiar with the device. Doing this "on the flight over" is not a good idea. Order the device well enough ahead of time so you can sit down in a comfortable, quiet place with the manual open and get some practice. And, you can contact us with questions before you arrive at your destination.
• Another factor is that, though these devices are manufactured to high quality standards, they sometimes need warranty replacement even when new. This is rare, but why take the risk? One customer's device arrived in a package that looked like the delivery truck had run over it (we're pretty sure some kind of vehicle ran over it). Amazingly, the device still worked--even with a cracked screen.
  

When it absolutely must be there by a given day

If you are planning delivery for a birthday, for having the product before going on a trip, or for some other reason where time is of the essence, do the following:

1. Order ASAP.
2. Use an accurate delivery address--check it carefully. No PO Boxes.
3. Choose 2nd Day Air, or the Overnight option. Keep in mind Overnight is very expensive.
4. Follow up with an e-mail and a phone call to ensure the order is being processed and being followed up on. State your delivery needs. See our contact us page (link is in the shopping cart area).
5. We will do the best we can, because your needs are important to us.

Here's a table CompUSA (www.compusa.com) has posted on their site (I found this while buying a new monitor from them--I got a great deal on it!).