Apple's Online Store and the Mysteries of "2-Day" Shipping

I placed an order yesterday at Apple's online store. During checkout, I was offered the opportunity to upgrade my shipping to "2-Day" shipping for $10.



Apple was seemingly very thorough in explaining their meaning of the term by stating clearly that it would arrive 2 business days after the item is shipped. Since I wanted to load some music on the iPod I ordered as a gift, I opted for the expedited shipping.

Later that day, I received my confirmation mail. So far, so good. The shipping dates listed in the confirmation seemed to indicate that it would indeed arrive two business days after shipment. If it shipped December 5th (Wed), it would arrive on the 7th (Fri) and if it shipped on the 6th (Thu), it would arrive on the 10th (Mon).



But, at the bottom of the confirmation e-mail, it contained a blurb explaining the conditions for 2-3 day international shipping. Tennessee may not be centrally located, but I still think it's in the USA. Is it international since the engraved iPod is being sent from China? Is it a nonsequitur that has nothing to do with my order, but is the "confirmation e-mail footer of the week"?



This morning, at 7:35 a.m., I received my shipping confirmation/tracking e-mail from Apple. According to that e-mail, my shipment was sent on the 6th, so I should be expecting it to arrive on the 10th, shouldn't I? Well, that would be a little too simplistic. It will be here by the 11th. Yes, that's 3 days for my two-day shipping. How? Well, apparently the Apple "elves" in China missed the shipping deadline in Suzhou. OK, so now was that a coincidence or does it relate to the mystery 2-3 day international shipping footer on my order confirmation e-mail? I'll never know.

OK, now this isn't such a big deal because I actually planned ahead this time and whether it arrives Monday or Tuesday doesn't make much of a difference. And, it is pretty amazing that I can get an engraved iPod delivered to my doorstep from halfway around the world in less than only a few days. But, if you're buying something from Apple closer to the holidays or a birthday or some other magic date, you may want to be aware that 2-day shipping may not actually mean 2-day shipping.