Consumer Alert: Your key to shopping and shipping over the Thanksgiving holiday

Deanna Dewberry

[anvplayer video=”5073472″ station=”998131″]

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — We know the next few days will be dominated by the four f’s: fun, family, food and football. But now is the time two more things should be top of mind: shopping and shipping. So this consumer alert has information you need to know for both.

First, let’s address what you need to know about shopping over the Thanksgiving weekend. Imagine you’re up early on Thanksgiving morning and realize you forgot the rolls or that oh-so-necessary cranberry sauce? You’re in luck. Wegmans, Tops and Hegedorns will be open until 4 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day. Most other stores will be closed.

As for shipping, early is best this year, no matter how you plan to ship. And that includes UPS. To address what is likely to be a more challenging shipping season, UPS boasts some enhancements like faster processing, more automation and enhanced network capacity in the air and on the ground. But company leaders admit that supply chain issues are affecting everyone, UPS included.

"The global supply chain bottlenecks have been a challenge for us all,” said Nakeya Shelton, UPS President of Enterprise Sales. "But the good news is that UPS is ready to deliver. Once that package gets in our hands, you can be assured that we are going to deliver it on time every time."

Perhaps not every time, but it’s close. According to the company’s own data, since January of 2020, UPS has had an on-time delivery rate of 95%. So keep the following deadlines in mind if you want your package to get to friends and family by Christmas.

  • Dec. 21– 3-day select
  • Dec. 22 – 2-day air
  • Dec. 23 – Next day air

The shipping deadlines for the U.S. Post Office are as follows:

  • Dec. 15 – Retail ground
  • Dec. 17 – First class
  • Dec. 18 – Priority mail
  • Dec. 23 – Priority mail Express

As for the cost, USPS is best if you’re mailing a small package. UPS is typically more expensive because of fees and surcharges. But if your package is heavy, UPS is usually the better value.

[News10NBC]