Estimated Delivery Time
A forecast given as the sum of the time to prepare and ship the order and the transit time. It is not a binding commitment but an estimate for planning purposes; in return, fulfilment of an order in distance sales can in no case exceed the maximum period set in the legislation.
The time consists of two components. The first is preparation: packing the product and handing it to the carrier after payment approval and the stock check. The second is transit: the package reaching the delivery address via transfer hubs. This second component varies with the carrier's network, the distance and public holidays.
- For pre-orders or custom-made items, the preparation time extends noticeably.
- For bulky and palletised shipments, transit works differently from a standard parcel shipment.
- Missing address information is the most common reason for a longer time.
On the legislation side two rules are clear: the fulfilment period cannot exceed the maximum limit, and where performance has become impossible the seller is obliged to inform the consumer and refund the amount collected. The goods being out of stock is not considered impossibility. If you are planning an installation that must be ready by a specific day, confirm the timing through the contact channels before ordering; the current terms on your order page and in the sales contract prevail.
Context in which this term is used: Delivery and shipping terms