At the Alliance of Native Seedkeepers, we primarily use USPS for all our shipping needs. In special circumstances, we can arrange for UPS or FedEx deliveries, particularly if a customer is unable to receive USPS packages. However, we're currently refining our shipping options as part of a software transition, aiming to include more carrier choices in our checkout process soon. We appreciate your understanding and ask that alternative shipping requests be made only when necessary to avoid potential delays.
Order Processing and Shipping Timelines
Our team strives to ship orders daily or every other day. As a small, home-based business, we occasionally experience delays, especially during high-volume periods. While our new warehouse management software has significantly improved our efficiency, we are still fine-tuning the system. Please be patient if your order takes a bit longer to process, particularly during peak seasons.
Peak Seasons and Expected Delays
Our busiest times begin in mid-to-late November, peaking in February, and gradually slow down by April or May. A smaller peak occurs in late July and August. During these periods, shipping delays can extend up to three weeks, though this is improving with our new software. We are also planning to introduce a pick-to-light system and hire additional staff to expedite order fulfillment.
Geographic Considerations
Being located in rural North Carolina, our local postal services have limited operation days, which can affect shipping times. Orders to distant locations like the West Coast, Canada, and other international destinations may experience longer shipping times. Most domestic orders arrive within 3-5 days after leaving our facility, while international orders can take 3-8 weeks.
Handling Delays and Backlogs
Our journey began just before the COVID-19 pandemic, and we've been growing steadily ever since. Handling delays and backlogs is a learning process for us. We're constantly improving our methods, and our new software, along with community-sourced engineering solutions, is helping us streamline our operations. What once took us the same time to process 20 orders, we now manage 100 orders, a testament to our evolving efficiency.
Communication and Updates
We understand the importance of keeping you informed. Updates on potential delays are posted on our website, and we also send email notifications to our customers. Our system ensures that you receive regular email updates throughout the processing of your order, and if your package has tracking, you'll be notified upon delivery.