If you haven't begun your Christmas shopping, you'll need to do your online research within the next two weeks or risk disappointment.
Australia Post has been struggling with the rocketing growth in online orders and educating retailers to set earlier cut-off ordering dates for customers' pre-Christmas deliveries.
We just received their official cut-off dates and believe me, it is waay too optimistic to leave it to the last minute.
With not enough drivers and staff to run the distribution centres, the olden days of being able order anything that was in stock, by mid-December for pre-Christmas delivery, has long gone out the window, and frankly, will never return.
Courier companies now charge retailers for missed deliveries, as well as for residential deliveries of bulky items too large and/or heavy for Australia Post to accept.
Christmas Day 2024 falls on a Wednesday, so the very last business day for deliveries is Tuesday 24 December, and with many smaller online retailers closing Friday 20 December, this cuts your delivery window even more finely.
And consider this: if you cut it fine with ordering online, and you miss the courier? You might have your precious Christmas gifts locked away in their warehouse, unable to be delivered for Christmas. It has happened.
Or worse, you order something very close to Christmas and it arrives broken. There is no chance you'll receive a replacement in time.
If you want items delivered before Christmas and your online retailer is located in another state (ALWAYS check where they're located - don't risk ordering online from a retailer who doesn't reveal their address), order within the next four weeks to be sure and if you're in WA, NT or far northern QLD, you really need to order within the next fortnight.
Another tip: check the delivery date deadlines. Some retailers, such as Brighton House Decor give you an approximate delivery date, others give you a range of days ie 3-10 days. Remember to count business weekdays, not calendar days - will it make it in time?
Your other two options are to Google retailers (like Brighton House Decor) in your area who offer free pickup. That way you can arrange a suitable time with the retailer and ensure you have the item you've paid for. In many cases, you might also save yourself shipping fees.