Shipping Time Question

[Thaminox1]

I'm getting ready to buy 2 core rulebooks and notice that the
expected ship is 11 to 20 days, then I pick a shipping method of 3 to 5 days.

Am I correct when I'm thinking that the books won't even start to ship until at least 11 days after I order, then another additional 3 to 5 days for the mail carrier to deliver?

I'm having a hard time believing that it takes a minimum of 11 days just to put the books in the mail...am I wrong somewhere?

[Allegrion]

I would dearly love to actually get a response to my Customer Service Case that I placed on Monday, January 16, 2023 at roughly 10:00AM PST. I do realize that with all that is happening in the community, things are hectic. All I am asking is to help me manage my expectations. I too see an 11-20 business day window on my pending order and I would love to understand why it may take the better part of a whole month to process and fulfill an order. Communication would go a LONG way here with your customers. Thanks!

[Kelseus]

Paizo is small company that runs its own warehouse. It's not 80% automated like an Amazon or other large company. Getting your order filled is competing with monthly subscription releases and shipping to distributors.

In my experience the actual time it takes for something to ship is much shorter than the 11-20 days. It is more of a CYA timeline.

[Dancing Wind]

Thaminox1 wrote:

I'm having a hard time believing that it takes a minimum of 11 days just to put the books in the mail...am I wrong somewhere?

If you're actually asking for information, Paizo has given you accurate information.

If you don't believe what they tell you, asking other customers won't make Paizo's information less accurate.

Yes, I have had orders take the full three weeks to get filled. Sometimes it's only 10 or 11 days. A lot depends on the size of my order, where in the subscription shipping cycle the warehouse is, and whether 3rd party items are included in the order.

I'm not sure what your email was about, but customer service prioritizes emails about problems that need to be solved so that your order can ship. General information inquiries may take a bit more time.

Also, due to an unfortunate management staffing decision, turnover in the customer service department has been fairly high in the past couple years. Response times have slowed.

You need to change your expectations to match the information you have been given.

[David knott 242]

For future reference, you are probably best off going for the cheapest method, as the longest wait is from the time you order until it ships. The few days it actually takes to get from Paizo's warehouse to your home are generally short enough that it really isn't worth it to go for faster but more expensive shipping.

[Thaminox1]

Thanks for the info, I guess I worded my post badly.

I was really trying to figure out if the 11 to 20 days included the actual shipping time or was the shipping time extra on top of the 11 to 20 days.

From what I see now, it's 11 to 20 days just to process the order then once it ships it's an additional number of days for the shipping part.

Seems like if it's taking that long to process orders due to being such a small business and there is so many orders out there waiting to be processed...maybe it's time to expand the business a little more, get a few more process handlers...I guess it's easy for me say when I don't have a business of my own :)

Again, thanks for the replies, all.

[Dancing Wind]

Yeah, it's not likely that Paizo is deliberately choosing to disappoint customers and reduce its profitss.

And, yes, the "time for us to get your package out the door" does not include the "time for various shipping companies to deliver that package to you".

[Allegrion]

I appreciate the community insight presented here. I have managed my expectations to compensate. Thanks again!

[Dwapook]

I've had Paizo subscriptions for years and regularly have the authorized payments expire and go back into my bank account before the order even ships...

[meek75]

I mostly order digital content from Paizo, but I decided to pick up some minis a couple weeks ago. Honestly, I am so used to shorter shipping times I didn’t notice the 11-20 days estimate. That is on me for not paying attention. I probably won’t get my order in time for the game I wanted them for. Unfortunately, the shipping times means I will only be able to order from Paizo for orders that I can wait a long time to get. I’m sure they are doing what makes sense for them and will keep an eye out for changes that will allow me to spend more money with them.