Keep in mind Christmas e-commerce ordering deadlines

Wednesday, December 19, 2012 - 10:55 by Simon Crisp

Christmas Day is less than a week away and there are still many people who will not yet have bought all of the presents and products they need.

If you want to avoid the last minute craziness that can make high street shopping a bit of a nightmare this late in the game, then you should definitely turn to safe shopping online, since a number of e-commerce retailers will still guarantee pre-Christmas delivery.

However, you are very much running out of time and your options are being whittled down when it comes to purchasing from the web before the big day.

The deadline for ordering a delivery from Argos passed on Monday, although you can still reserve your item online and then go and pick it up at your local store.

Today, the 19th, is the deadline for ordering with Amazon via safe shopping online, so get those last minute gifts while you still can. Interestingly, Amazon is actually offering last minute delivery as late as December 24th in a number of areas of the UK, so check if you live in an eligible location.

Friday 21st will be the deadline for most other major online retailers in the UK, after which point you will have to head to a bricks and mortar store to get anything else prior to Christmas Day.

It seems inevitable that shipping deadlines will slip ever closer to December 25th, as the online shopping distribution infrastructure improves and companies develop new ways to get products out to customers.

Even at this late stage you will still find that retail websites will offer you better prices and more convenience than the high street, even if you are having to pay a little extra for express delivery, for guaranteed Christmas satisfaction.