How soon do you...

[Al1x]

process and send out orders?

I try and do them the same day i get the order... i'd feel bad and pretty useless if i waited a few days.

I've noticed a few companies i've bought things from don't process things straight away.. but that may be because they are quite large so sorting out so many orders in a day may take a while.

[chris]

Like you, I try to send out same day.
Being small and relevantly unknown, I feel it is 1 way I can compete against larger companies by giving speedy service and good communication.
I get a number of emails from customers remarking on the efficient service so hopefully it is working.

[littlesheep]

Usually next day as I tend to make up my parcels when the children have gone to bed

[knotjustjigs]

The majority of the time the same day but it depends on which day of the week it is and if i am off work....Saying that i dont stress if its the next day, as you say most companys are a few days!

Ketty x

[Chell]

It depends on the time of day. Usually the same day or first thing the next. It is easier on school days as the PO is near to school. The PO is about 5 miles from home so it isn't as easy in the holidays if DH has the car.

[funkydorydawn]

Either the same or next day. Sometimes I have to wait for stock to come in which may take a couple of days.

Luckily my customers have to give me a date when they need it by, so my general rule is to send it at least a few days before they need it.

dawn
xx

[Laura@FYP]

Usually same day, or if not, the next day. Just depending on what time I recieve it.

[Mary Poppins]

I usually send out the same day but at the latest the very next morning. It would depend on the order too. If someone orders 100 jewellery tags and wants them double sided, that can take me more or less all day to do as they are fiddly and have to be set up by hand.

[babybiz]

I used to do them all the same day but it just got impossible to cope with. Then the distribution co took over and we got most out same day but there were lots of other problems. We're in the process now of working really hard to sort out the new warehouse and once that's done most orders will be done the same day.

It does get really hard though when you have a lot of orders to process with extras like gift wrapping, special delivery instructions etc. Plus I always loose the one item I sell lol.

[Chiggs]

Same day or first thing the next for me ,too- that's for website orders and for trade orders.
I always have stock in, so it's a matter of packing, invoicing and then going to the PO or post box. I agree with Chris, in that I see it as a way of competing with larger companies, espacially wholesalers who can make retailers wait weeks for stock.

[poppet]

The same day where possible.

[lajlaj]

We used to do same day/next day depending on when the order came in. However, it was impossible to keep up with when you have so many personalised items. Now we have varying "service levels" - priority which is more or less same/next day although we do say 48 hours just in case we have a big backlog. Then we have express which is a 3 day turnaround and then regular delivery is 5 working days. Have to say it is very rare we wait the 5 working days but when we have good PR or advertising going on sometimes it is impossible to keep up with demand.

[Miranda]

We try to send out quickly but it isn't always possible

[Bay-Bee]

It is usually the same day or next day. I do find that it is a good way of being able to build up a good reputation and deliver good service.

[incywincy]

Next day on ready made orders - but up to 7 days on made to order. Even though the website says up to 14 days to cover myself.

[funkyfish]

I used to be able to offer same day or next day ship.

Orders that are current stock can go immediately with the courier the same day but if its a sale item or a sale item is ordered aswell I have to collect from the warehouse as the shop is only big enough for new stock so it takes longer.

My service is a lot slower than it used to be but I try my best and will always pull out all the stops if the customer makes me aware of a deadline.

I'm trying to get it back to speed but things are tough with staff and time management, VAT retuns, book keeping.

I had a mini crisis last week as I set myself impossibly high standards and keep falling short.

Also, had more missing parcels since October last year than in the last 5 years - I think someone at the sorting office is being naughty!