Deadlines shopping procrastinators need to know
The holiday season is in full swing: You've trimmed the tree, gorged on gingerbread cookies at the office party and cozied up on the couch to watch “A Christmas Story.” But if you're like many shoppers, you still haven't finished buying your Christmas gifts.
Here's a procrastinator's guide to making sure Santa's sleigh is brimming with packages by Christmas Eve.
1. If you want free shipping, act fast
If you're planning to shop online and are determined not to pay for delivery, you better get moving. Here is a roundup of the free shipping cutoff dates for some of the nation's largest retailers. Be sure to check each retailer's website for the precise time of the cutoff -- for many, it is midnight on the appointed day, but there are variations.
December 19: Amazon.com Kohl's (available on orders of $50 or more) Toys R Us (available on orders of $49 or more) Foot Locker (available on orders of $49 or more)
December 20: Target JCPenney (available on orders of $75 or more) Gap, Banana Republic and Old Navy (available on orders of $50 or more)
December 21: Nordstrom
December 22: Macy's (available on orders of $99 or more) Sears (available on some orders of $59 or more) Best Buy (available on orders of $35 or more) Amazon.com (shoppers who are members of Amazon Prime)
If you're planning to shop at Wal-Mart, you've already missed your shot at free shipping for a gift you'd like to arrive in time for Christmas Eve.
2. Options after blowing shipping deadlines
If you know you're not going to get your act together for those deadlines, you've got other options. Of course, ponying up for expedited shipping will buy you some extra time. For most retailers offering that option, the final cutoff for placing orders is around noon December 23. However, if you take advantage of this option, consider the risks: Last year, FedEx and UPS failed to deliver an estimated 2 million packages in time for Christmas when their networks were deluged with more packages than they anticipated. So far this holiday season, FedEx and UPS have improved their on-time delivery performance compared to last year, but it remains to be seen how pressured their pipelines will be in those last few shopping days. Plus, a winter storm could throw retailers and shippers a curve ball.
Since retailers know that you loathe paying for shipping, many of them are touting a different option for procrastinators that allows them to buy online and pick up in-store. While this offering still requires a trip to the mall to retrieve your gifts, it allows you to do your browsing at home and it's free. Most retailers promise to have your order ready for pickup within a few hours. Best Buy, Wal-Mart, Toys R Us and Macy's are among the retailers trumpeting this option. If Christmas Eve rolls around and you're still scrambling to buy gifts online, an email gift card is likely your only option.
3. If you're hitting the stores, take advantage of their extended hours.
Plenty of retailers and mall operators will be opening in the wee hours of the morning and burning the midnight oil in this final stretch of the Christmas marathon. Toys R Us, for example, will be open round-the-clock from 6 a.m. December 23 until 9 p.m. on Christmas Eve. Kohl's will be open for more than 100 straight hours beginning at 6 a.m. December 19. Visiting the stores during off-peak hours is a good way to ensure you're met with shorter lines at the register and easier parking.