Christmas Delivery Information

Christmas Delivery and Tracking Information

Current Information - 4th December 2023

Tracking and Delays

All our orders are dispatched with a tracking or reference number regardless of service. This information is in your dispatch confirmation email and also in your order history on this website. In the first instance please check this tracking information. All the carriers work flat out during the festive season, to make deliveries on time but there may be unavoidable delays.

Tracking code/link not working? Sometimes we book parcels through different methods. If you tracking link isn't working (tracking not found or code unrecognised) then please try entering your code on the relevant website below:

All codes beginning P2G, including international or dispatched on FedEx go to

https://parcel2go.com

All codes beginning YOD go to https://yodeldirect.co.uk

Larger express items sent with Parcelforce 24 can be tracked at https://parcelforce.com

Christmas Hours of Business

Our last dispatch date before Christmas is 1pm on Friday 22nd December.

We will be closed on Saturday 23rd December 2022 through to 9th January 2024. Our first dispatch date of the new year will be MONDAY JANUARY 8TH 2024.

Emails and social media messages will be monitored during the break, any telephone messages will not be answered until we re-open THE BEST way to get in touch is via messenger on our Facebook Page OR The Chat Icon on each page of this website.

UK Standard Delivery

Our standard delivery is with Royal Mail 48 (2nd Class). Royal Mails last posting date for this service to expect to arrive in time for Christmas is MONDAY 18TH DECEMBER. You will be provided with a tracking number and you can enter this at https://www.royalmail.com/track-your-item#/ full Royal Mail posting dates can be found here: https://www.royalmail.com/christmas/last-posting-dates

If we experience significant delays for this service, parcels may be sent with Yodel instead - check your tracking information

Tracked Courier Upgrade

You can upgrade your delivery from Standard to tracked courier typically 2-4 days for just £3.95 per order. This is recommended for orders placed between SATURDAY 18TH DECEMBER and WEDNESDAY 20TH DECEMBER.

Fastest Value Courier Upgrade

You can upgrade your delivery from Standard to fastest value courier typically 2-3 days. This is a faster tracked service than the tracked courier upgrade but is not guaranteed and is typically not a next day service. We will pick the fastest, best value service available on the day. Typically Yodel Express, Evri Next day or FedEx Standard. We are currently recommending all orders take this option after 17th December

Express Delivery Upgrade

Express delivery is available within mainland UK and recommended after 20th December at an additional cost of £10 per order. This service is available within mainland UK and includes priority pick and pack by us so it leaves faster (queue jump) and is delivered either by Royal Mail Special Delivery Next Day, DPD, ParcelForce or by FedEx Overnight. Tracking details will always be provided. Royal Mail items will be provided with a tracking number and you can enter this at https://www.royalmail.com/track-your-item#/ .

Only the Express Upgrade includes priority pick & pack, orders on all other services are processed in sequence of arrival.

All delivery upgrades may not be available to certain highlands and islands addresses. If you have purchased this service, and it is not available to your location we will select the very best option for your delivery. This usually means the service is similar to the upgrade below it. If there is a problem, we will contact you.

International Deliveries

Services throughout Europe and further afield vary and we cannot guarantee or promise delivery before Christmas. If you are waiting for an order already placed, please check the tracking number provided on the carriers website. We generally use Royal Mail and Evri for all international deliveries. All international deliveries are tracked and most must be signed for.

Be sure to check your emails for any automated customs alerts and to read our international delivery information to ensure your parcel moved through customs smoothly.

We have recently significantly reduced our international shipping costs but if you have any queries, please contact us at service@theusefulshop.com

Please be sure to read our international delivery information.

If your order has not arrived or is too late

In the first instance please be sure to check your tracking information. Standard Royal Mail parcels only provide tracking when delivered so if no information is shown, it is still in the RM delivery network.

Please wait for your parcel to arrive, then if it is too late, contact us to organise a return.

For couriers, the tracking should say if they need more information, or if there is a problem with your parcel. Overall courier delivered parcels are being delivered as expected. If you do have a problem please contact us via the chat facility on this website as emails may not be picked up until January.