My equipment order is delayed. When will it arrive?Updated 2 months ago
Quick Answer
Check your tracking for updated estimated delivery dates - carriers update these when delays occur. Common delay causes include weather, carrier capacity issues, and processing backlogs. If your order hasn't shipped after 2+ weeks, or tracking shows delivery is 2+ business days past the estimated date with no updates, contact our support team at [email protected] for investigation.
Types of Delays
Understanding where delays occur helps you know what to expect and who to contact.
Processing delays (before shipment):
- Order hasn't shipped yet within expected 1-2 week timeframe
- No tracking number received
- Order placed 2+ weeks ago without shipping
Transit delays (after shipment):
- Tracking shows "In Transit" but delivery date pushed back
- Tracking shows "Exception" or "Delay" status
- Package not delivered by estimated delivery date
Common Delay Reasons
Weather delays:
- Hurricanes, blizzards, floods, ice storms
- Carrier suspends operations in affected areas for safety
- Can delay deliveries by 2-7 days depending on severity
- Tracking typically shows "Weather Delay" or "Exception" status
- Deliveries resume once weather clears and conditions are safe
Carrier capacity issues:
- High package volume during holidays (November-December)
- Carrier facilities overwhelmed with shipments
- Temporary staffing shortages
- Can delay by 1-3 business days
Carrier mechanical issues:
- Vehicle breakdowns
- Aircraft delays or cancellations
- Equipment failures at sorting facilities
- Typically delays by 1-2 days while carrier reroutes packages
High-volume periods:
- Black Friday through New Year's (busiest shipping season)
- Back-to-school season (August-September)
- Major promotional events
- Processing may take 2-3 weeks instead of 1-2 weeks
- Transit may take longer than standard 3-7 days
Warehouse processing backlogs:
- High order volume at fulfillment warehouse
- Warehouse staffing or equipment issues
- Inventory location delays
- Can extend processing beyond normal 1-2 weeks
Address issues:
- Incomplete or incorrect address requires verification
- Carrier cannot find delivery location
- Access issues (gated community, locked building)
- Can delay by 1-2 days while carrier resolves
Customs delays (international):
- Shipments to Canada or international held at customs
- Customs inspection and clearance process
- Additional documentation required
- Normal international delay: 2-5 days at customs
How to Check Updated Delivery Date
For orders that have shipped:
- Find your tracking number in shipping confirmation email
- Visit carrier website (UPS.com, FedEx.com, DHL.com, or freight carrier site)
- Enter tracking number
- Look for updated estimated delivery date
- Check for exception messages explaining delay
Carriers update delivery dates when:
- Weather affects the delivery route
- Package is delayed at a facility
- Mechanical issues cause rerouting
- High volume extends transit time
The updated date is more accurate than the original estimate. Plan for this new date.
What to Do for Processing Delays
If your order hasn't shipped yet (no tracking number):
Ordered less than 2 weeks ago:
- Still within normal processing timeframe
- Wait for shipping confirmation email with tracking
- Processing is 1-2 weeks after order placement (2-3 weeks during holidays)
- No action needed yet
Ordered 2-3 weeks ago:
- Processing may be extended due to high volume or backorder
- Contact us for status update
- We'll check with warehouse on current order status
- You may need to confirm your contact information
Ordered 3+ weeks ago:
- Likely backorder situation or processing issue
- Contact support immediately at [email protected]
- Provide order number, order date, and email used
- We'll investigate with fulfillment team and provide update
What to Do for Transit Delays
If tracking shows your order shipped but delivery is delayed:
1-2 days past estimated delivery date:
- Check tracking for updated delivery date
- Look for explanation (weather delay, exception status)
- If updated date shown, package is still progressing (delayed but moving)
- Wait for new estimated delivery date
2+ business days past estimated date with no updates:
- Contact carrier first for investigation
- Request package trace and updated delivery estimate
- Carrier will investigate delay and provide status
If carrier cannot provide satisfactory update:
- Contact CENTR support at [email protected]
- Provide order number, tracking number, and carrier investigation results
- We'll coordinate with carrier on your behalf
- May need to file delay claim or expedite resolution
Freight Delays
Large equipment shipped via freight has different delay patterns:
Normal freight timing:
- Transit: 5-10 business days is standard
- Tracking updates infrequent (normal)
- Carrier calls to schedule delivery appointment
When freight is delayed:
- More than 2 weeks after "Picked Up" status
- Carrier hasn't called to schedule delivery
- Tracking shows no movement for 10+ days
Action for freight delays:
- Contact freight carrier directly (phone number on tracking page)
- Inquire about current location and delivery schedule
- Confirm your phone number is correct in their system
- Request delivery appointment scheduling
- If carrier unresponsive, contact CENTR support
Will You Be Compensated for Delays?
Based on available information, delay compensation is not a verified standard policy. However:
Weather delays: Considered force majeure - typically no compensation
Carrier delays: Carrier issues, but customers aren't usually compensated for standard delays
Significant delays (weeks): Contact us - we'll evaluate each situation individually and work to make things right
If delay causes significant hardship, explain your situation to [email protected] and we'll do our best to help.
Can You Cancel Due to Delay?
If order hasn't shipped yet:
- Contact [email protected] immediately with order number
- Request cancellation due to delay
- Fulfillment team will check if order can be stopped
- If cancellation possible, full refund issued in 5-7 business days
If already shipped but significantly delayed:
- Order cannot be cancelled once shipped
- You can refuse delivery when package arrives (easiest option)
- Or accept delivery and initiate return for full refund
- Full refund processed once package returned to CENTR
International Delay Expectations
Shipping to Canada or internationally has built-in longer timelines:
Normal international timeline:
- Processing: 1-2 weeks
- Transit: 3-7 days
- Customs: 2-5 days (no tracking updates during customs is normal)
- Final delivery: 2-3 days
- Total: 3-4 weeks is normal
Only concerning if:
- 4+ weeks with no delivery
- Tracking stuck at "In customs" for 10+ days
- No tracking updates for 2+ weeks
Communicating About Delays
When contacting support about delays, provide:
- Order number (#XXXX-C)
- Order date (when you placed order)
- Tracking number (if order shipped)
- Original estimated delivery date
- Current tracking status
- Any communication from carrier about the delay
- Whether you need delivery by specific date (and why)
What we can do:
- Check order status in our system
- Contact warehouse about processing delays
- Coordinate with carrier for expedited resolution
- Provide realistic updated delivery estimate
- Escalate to fulfillment team if appropriate
- Discuss alternatives (cancellation, refund) if delay is excessive
Managing Expectations
Realistic delivery timeline:
- Standard total: 2-3 weeks from order to delivery
- Holiday periods: 3-4 weeks total
- International: 3-4 weeks total
- Freight: 3 weeks typical
When ordering with deadlines:
- Order 4 weeks ahead for important dates
- Order 5-6 weeks ahead during holiday season
- Don't count on expedited options (not verified as available)
- Contact us if you have specific deadline needs
Common Delay Questions
Q: Can you expedite my delayed order?
A: Once shipped, transit speed is controlled by the carrier. We can contact carriers about delays, but cannot override their delivery schedules. If not yet shipped, contact us - we may be able to prioritize warehouse processing.
Q: Will I be notified if there's a delay?
A: Carriers send notifications for weather delays and exceptions. Check your tracking regularly. We don't proactively notify about minor delays (1-2 days), but will contact you if we're aware of significant issues.
Q: What if I need my equipment by a specific date and it's delayed?
A: Contact us immediately. We'll check all options and work with carrier/warehouse to expedite if possible. However, we cannot guarantee specific delivery dates, especially during transit delays.
Still Need Help?
If your order is delayed and you need assistance:
For orders not yet shipped (no tracking):
Email [email protected] with:
- Order number
- Order date
- Expected ship timeframe you were told
For shipped orders with delays:
First contact carrier, then email [email protected] with:
- Order number
- Tracking number
- Original and updated estimated delivery dates
- Carrier investigation results
We'll investigate the delay and work to get you your equipment as quickly as possible.