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Amazon is the largest marketplace in the world for people to find and order pretty much whatever product they like.
From their enormous product selection to their unbelievably fast shipping options, Amazon definitely takes it to another level when it comes to customer obsession.
But how do they do it? How is Amazon able to provide next-day or same-day delivery options for products? Let’s find out.
How does Amazon Deliver so Fast?
There’s no one reason as to why Amazon is able to make such fast deliveries.
On the contrary, it’s the result of many different factors that come together to produce this beautiful symphony of lightning-fast deliveries.
Let’s talk about some of these factors that enable Amazon to provide next-day or same-day shipping:
Supply Chain
Compared to most of its competitors, the way Amazon runs its supply chain and logistics operations is much more ahead of the curve.
They have specifically designed algorithms that analyze orders coming in and provide suggestions as to what should be done next to achieve maximum customer satisfaction.
Warehouse Locations
As you probably already know, Amazon warehouses are all over the place.
Amazon has done an amazing job of strategically placing its warehouses in densely-populated areas and urban metropolises.
This enables them to provide same-day shipping to many of the customers that reside in these areas.
Since, if the product you’re ordering is present in an Amazon warehouse near your address, it can easily be shipped out to you on the very same day.
Continuing Company Success
Amazon has become highly successful and they are showing no signs of stopping either.
As their network grows, they will be able to set up even more warehouses in more remote areas, thus, giving more people access to same-day shipping.
Similarly, they will be able to eventually come up with more advanced algorithms which will help them run their supply chain even more efficiently.
How Many Warehouses/Fulfillment Centres does Amazon Have?
We mentioned above how same-day deliveries are possible thanks to Amazon warehouses (or fulfillment centers) which have been built strategically around the globe.
Amazon has a network of 110 active fulfillment centers in the United States and 70 more fulfillment centers across the rest of the world.
Each fulfillment center is massive with most of them being an average size of 100,000 square feet.
These centers are designed to hold all types of different products which are ready for same-day shipping at any moment.
What are the Conditions Necessary for Same-Day Shipping?
Well, firstly, you have to be in a zip code that is eligible for same-day shipping.
As you may have gathered, these zip codes are the ones where Amazon fulfillment centers are present.
Secondly, you need to place the same-day order before the one-day shipping cut-off time. In most regions, the cut-off time for same-day shipping is 2 pm.
Thirdly, the item you order needs to be eligible for same-day shipping. Naturally, these would be items that are present in the Amazon fulfillment centre near you.
Both Prime members, as well as non-Prime members, can opt for same-day delivery.
That being said, non-Prime customers will have to pay an additional fee to have the items delivered on the same day.
Why is Amazon’s Shipping so Cheap for Prime Members?
Another thing that customers are amazed by is the fact that not only is Amazon’s shipping fast but it’s also incredibly cheap.
So, why is that?
Well, the simple answer to that is the fact that Amazon owns its own warehouses and delivery vehicles.
Amazon does not have to pay a third-party company in order to get its products shipped to customers. Hence, they are easily able to keep the costs of their shipping low.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Does Amazon Not Use Third-Party Shipping Companies at All?
No. While Amazon does most of its deliveries on its own, it still makes use of services such as UPS, USPS, and FedEx to get some of its orders delivered as well.
These third-party services are typically utilized by Amazon to ship the last few miles to rural areas as it’s not feasible for their own drivers to deliver to rural addresses.
2. Why is my Amazon Shipping so Slow?
If you regularly receive Amazon orders too late, then you may be living in an area that is far away from any Amazon fulfillment center.
Other causes for slow shipping can be holidays, the seller running out of stock for the item you ordered, or even just bad weather.
3. Does Amazon Charge Before Shipping?
Amazon does not immediately charge you for your order when you place it.
Instead, your debit or credit card is charged from your Amazon account only when the item you ordered is shipped out to you.
4. How Fast Does Amazon Prime Ship?
With Prime Now, you can get many (eligible) items delivered to your door within 1 to 2 hours. These would typically be essentials, groceries, etc.
You can also opt for same-day shipping for a bunch of other eligible items too such as electronics, gaming equipment, etc.
Wrapping Things Up…
Amazon really is leading the way when it comes to customer satisfaction.
Fast deliveries are something that many retailers have been trying to figure out for decades and it seems that Amazon has finally cracked the code.
As they build more fulfillment centers and set them up in more rural areas, more and more people will start gaining access to same-day deliveries.
What have your experiences been like with Amazon shipping? Let us know in the comments below.
