Learn About Post-Purchase Estimated Delivery Dates (EDDs)
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Estimated delivery dates (EDDs) are critical in eCommerce businesses as they provide customers with an expectation of when they can expect to receive their orders. It helps customers plan and manage their schedules accordingly and ensures they are available to receive their packages.
In this article, we’ll discuss:
Estimated Delivery Date (EDD)
Original Estimated Delivery Date (EDD)
Sources of EDDs
Carrier estimated delivery date
AfterShip AI-predicted estimated delivery date (AEDD)
Promised delivery date
Custom estimated delivery date
Set up post-purchase EDD
FAQs
EDD is the date customers see on their email and branded tracking page, sourced from the list of priorities (Source priority) described here.
There are certain circumstances wherein the EDD will not be shown to end customers if it is sourced from AI EDD or custom EDD:
There are exceptions or failed delivery attempts with the parcel, making the EDD inaccurate since the delivery couldn’t be made on the estimated date
The parcel is out for delivery or available for pickup, making the EDD not useful to the customer.
We will record the Original EDD at admin, representing the first EDD customers see on their email and branding tracking page.
The Original Estimated Delivery Date depends on which EDD comes and is recorded first, with all the available sources described here.
If there are no changes to the EDD, we won't show the Original EDD at admin.
AfterShip displays both the Original EDD and EDD on the admin dashboard. However, it only displays the EDD (EDD source which is high on the list of priorities irrespective of from where it came first) on the email and BTP.
There are different sources of EDDs available, and hence to your customers the most accurate EDD, AfterShip takes these into account based on the priority given below:
Carrier's estimated delivery date
AfterShip AI-predicted estimated delivery date
Promised delivery date (Imported with shipments)
Custom estimated delivery date
Let’s discuss all the sources of EDDs in detail.
The Carrier Estimated Delivery Date (EDD) is provided by the carrier through AfterShip's integration with their tracking services. It represents the carrier's best estimate of when your shipment will be delivered.
Carrier EDDs are available at any stage of the tracking process and may be updated or adjusted as necessary.
The accuracy of the EDD improves as the shipment progresses toward its destination.
For more guidance on enabling Carrier Estimated Delivery Dates, please refer to this guide
AfterShip utilizes AI and proprietary tracking data to generate the AfterShip AI-Predicted Estimated Delivery Date (AEDD). AEDD is designed to engage with your customers proactively, offering delivery estimates with industry-level accuracy.
The AEDD is provided once the carrier has picked up the parcel. It dynamically updates its predictions by analyzing crucial logistic events throughout the tracking journey. For instructions on enabling AEDD, please consult the Set up AEDD help guide.
The Promised Delivery Date is a date passed to AfterShip Tracking through the Tracking API. It's employed when merchants have their own estimates for when their shipments will be delivered.
To specify a Retailer Promise Date, ensure to include the data using the field order_promised_delivery_date when utilizing the AfterShip Tracking API.
The Custom Estimated Delivery Date is a date that can be set up within AfterShip Tracking’s admin dashboard. It's particularly useful when merchants already have a mechanism in place to calculate estimated delivery dates based on shipping type, carrier, and destination.
To offer Custom EDD to your customers, you can follow the instructions outlined in the Set up custom EDD help guide for setup assistance.
Go to Estimated delivery dates> Post-purchase EDD in the AfterShip Tracking admin
Watch a short video to better understand How can AfterShip EDDs actually help you, your brand, and your customers
Your Estimated Delivery Date (EDD) is retrieved according to your configured EDD source priority. If the EDD value from a higher-priority source is empty or unavailable, the system will automatically consider the next priority EDD source value as the final EDD.
You can adjust the priority by dragging the sources up and down on the list (listed from high to low priority).
A custom EDD can always be calculated, meaning it will never be empty or unavailable So any sources with lower priority than custom EDD will never be utilized.
AI Predictive EDD: Provide your customers with accurate EDDs powered by our AI engine. Click Manage to set up AI-predictive EDD settings. For instructions on enabling AEDD, please consult the Set up AEDD help guide.
Custom EDD: Manually set the EDD based on the transit times for different regions and carriers. Click Manage to set up custom EDD settings. For instructions on enabling custom EDD, please consult the Set up custom EDD help guide for setup assistance.
Carrier EDD: The Carrier EDD provided to your customers is sourced directly from the carrier through AfterShip's integration with their carrier tracking services. Click Manage to configure Carrier EDD settings. For instructions on enabling carrier-based EDD, please refer to this guide
In cases where the Estimated Delivery Date (EDD) value has passed (before the current date), you can manage this situation by setting up a processing rule. There are two options available:
Keep Missed Value: You can opt to keep the missed EDD value unchanged.
Add Extra Business Days: Alternatively, you can establish a rule to add extra business days to adjust the EDD value.
Business days will be calculated based on the default carrier business days you've configured in the Carrier business days settings.
Not all carriers provide EDD. Therefore, it's better to enable both AI EDD and Custom EDD
Your customers will be able to check the EDD via:
Order tracking page
Email notification
To understand which Estimated Delivery Date (EDD) your customers will see, follow these steps:
Navigate to your AfterShip's Shipments section and select a shipment to view its details.
Scroll down to the Promised delivery date section under Order details. Here, you'll find both the estimated delivery date and the original estimated delivery date. Each is labeled to indicate which EDD your customers will see, such as Provided by carrier or Based on custom settings.
To explore additional EDD sources, click View EDD sources. This provides insight into how the estimated delivery date was calculated for a specific shipment and the applied EDD source priority.
If you encounter any difficulties navigating this feature, don't hesitate to reach out to our support team for assistance.
Overview
Estimated delivery dates (EDDs) are critical in eCommerce businesses as they provide customers with an expectation of when they can expect to receive their orders. It helps customers plan and manage their schedules accordingly and ensures they are available to receive their packages.
What you’ll learn
In this article, we’ll discuss:
Estimated Delivery Date (EDD)
Original Estimated Delivery Date (EDD)
Sources of EDDs
Carrier estimated delivery date
AfterShip AI-predicted estimated delivery date (AEDD)
Promised delivery date
Custom estimated delivery date
Set up post-purchase EDD
FAQs
Estimated Delivery Date (EDD)
EDD is the date customers see on their email and branded tracking page, sourced from the list of priorities (Source priority) described here.
There are certain circumstances wherein the EDD will not be shown to end customers if it is sourced from AI EDD or custom EDD:
There are exceptions or failed delivery attempts with the parcel, making the EDD inaccurate since the delivery couldn’t be made on the estimated date
The parcel is out for delivery or available for pickup, making the EDD not useful to the customer.
Original Estimated Delivery Date (EDD)
We will record the Original EDD at admin, representing the first EDD customers see on their email and branding tracking page.
The Original Estimated Delivery Date depends on which EDD comes and is recorded first, with all the available sources described here.
If there are no changes to the EDD, we won't show the Original EDD at admin.
AfterShip displays both the Original EDD and EDD on the admin dashboard. However, it only displays the EDD (EDD source which is high on the list of priorities irrespective of from where it came first) on the email and BTP.
Sources of EDDs
There are different sources of EDDs available, and hence to your customers the most accurate EDD, AfterShip takes these into account based on the priority given below:
Carrier's estimated delivery date
AfterShip AI-predicted estimated delivery date
Promised delivery date (Imported with shipments)
Custom estimated delivery date
Let’s discuss all the sources of EDDs in detail.
Carrier estimated delivery date
The Carrier Estimated Delivery Date (EDD) is provided by the carrier through AfterShip's integration with their tracking services. It represents the carrier's best estimate of when your shipment will be delivered.
Carrier EDDs are available at any stage of the tracking process and may be updated or adjusted as necessary.
The accuracy of the EDD improves as the shipment progresses toward its destination.
For more guidance on enabling Carrier Estimated Delivery Dates, please refer to this guide
AfterShip AI-predicted estimated delivery date (AEDD)
AfterShip utilizes AI and proprietary tracking data to generate the AfterShip AI-Predicted Estimated Delivery Date (AEDD). AEDD is designed to engage with your customers proactively, offering delivery estimates with industry-level accuracy.
The AEDD is provided once the carrier has picked up the parcel. It dynamically updates its predictions by analyzing crucial logistic events throughout the tracking journey. For instructions on enabling AEDD, please consult the Set up AEDD help guide.
Promised delivery date
The Promised Delivery Date is a date passed to AfterShip Tracking through the Tracking API. It's employed when merchants have their own estimates for when their shipments will be delivered.
To specify a Retailer Promise Date, ensure to include the data using the field order_promised_delivery_date when utilizing the AfterShip Tracking API.
Custom estimated delivery date
The Custom Estimated Delivery Date is a date that can be set up within AfterShip Tracking’s admin dashboard. It's particularly useful when merchants already have a mechanism in place to calculate estimated delivery dates based on shipping type, carrier, and destination.
To offer Custom EDD to your customers, you can follow the instructions outlined in the Set up custom EDD help guide for setup assistance.
Set up post-purchase EDD
Go to Estimated delivery dates> Post-purchase EDD in the AfterShip Tracking admin
Watch a short video to better understand How can AfterShip EDDs actually help you, your brand, and your customers
1. Manage post-purchase EDD source priority
Your Estimated Delivery Date (EDD) is retrieved according to your configured EDD source priority. If the EDD value from a higher-priority source is empty or unavailable, the system will automatically consider the next priority EDD source value as the final EDD.
You can adjust the priority by dragging the sources up and down on the list (listed from high to low priority).
A custom EDD can always be calculated, meaning it will never be empty or unavailable So any sources with lower priority than custom EDD will never be utilized.
2. AfterShip EDD sources
AI Predictive EDD: Provide your customers with accurate EDDs powered by our AI engine. Click Manage to set up AI-predictive EDD settings. For instructions on enabling AEDD, please consult the Set up AEDD help guide.
Custom EDD: Manually set the EDD based on the transit times for different regions and carriers. Click Manage to set up custom EDD settings. For instructions on enabling custom EDD, please consult the Set up custom EDD help guide for setup assistance.
Carrier EDD: The Carrier EDD provided to your customers is sourced directly from the carrier through AfterShip's integration with their carrier tracking services. Click Manage to configure Carrier EDD settings. For instructions on enabling carrier-based EDD, please refer to this guide
3. Handling Missed Post-Purchase EDDs
In cases where the Estimated Delivery Date (EDD) value has passed (before the current date), you can manage this situation by setting up a processing rule. There are two options available:
Keep Missed Value: You can opt to keep the missed EDD value unchanged.
Add Extra Business Days: Alternatively, you can establish a rule to add extra business days to adjust the EDD value.
Business days will be calculated based on the default carrier business days you've configured in the Carrier business days settings.
Not all carriers provide EDD. Therefore, it's better to enable both AI EDD and Custom EDD
Your customers will be able to check the EDD via:
Order tracking page
Email notification
FAQs
1. How would I know which EDD my customers will see?
To understand which Estimated Delivery Date (EDD) your customers will see, follow these steps:
Navigate to your AfterShip's Shipments section and select a shipment to view its details.
Scroll down to the Promised delivery date section under Order details. Here, you'll find both the estimated delivery date and the original estimated delivery date. Each is labeled to indicate which EDD your customers will see, such as Provided by carrier or Based on custom settings.
To explore additional EDD sources, click View EDD sources. This provides insight into how the estimated delivery date was calculated for a specific shipment and the applied EDD source priority.
If you encounter any difficulties navigating this feature, don't hesitate to reach out to our support team for assistance.
Updated on: 16/12/2024
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