Tag: shipping

Enjoy Holiday Savings on Shipping with 5Gstore.com

In the true spirit of giving, orders exceeding $300 and featuring qualifying products will be treated to the gift of FREE 2-day FedEx Express shipping. In some cases, you may even enjoy the surprise of FREE Overnight shipping via FedEx Express (limited within 150 miles of our shipping location). Trust in the reliable network and exceptional service track record of FedEx Express, providing you with peace of mind as your packages are expertly handled and guaranteed to arrive promptly, just in time for the holiday festivities.

For those seeking smaller holiday delights such as cables, plugs, adapters, and other accessories, while free shipping may not be on the sleigh, fear not! Our heavily discounted shipping rates ensure that you can still enjoy the magic of receiving your items within 1 or 2 days, often at a cost lower than the traditional ground shipping options.

Amidst the joyous celebrations, our commitment to affordability remains unwavering. Our $4.99 flat rate for orders over $499 will continue to apply where applicable, offering an additional pocket-friendly shipping alternative. To unveil the enchanting promotional shipping rate, simply proceed to checkout and input your full address. Let the system work its festive magic, calculating the discounted shipping cost for your qualifying holiday products. At 5Gstore, we’re not just delivering packages – we’re delivering holiday cheer straight to your doorstep!

By 5G , , ,

5Gstore Makes Shipping More Affordable

At 5Gstore, we value the importance of timely delivery and are excited to introduce our new shipping promotion. This offer brings expedited shipping methods, affordable rates, and the convenience of doorstep delivery to qualifying products, enhancing your shopping experience. All 50 states in the U.S are covered to ensure all our customers benefit from our promotion.

For orders over $300 with qualifying products will receive FREE 2-day FedEx Express shipping or even FREE Overnight shipping via FedEx Express. With their extensive network and track record of exceptional service, you can have peace of mind knowing your package is in good hands and will arrive promptly and efficiently.

For those ordering smaller items such as cables, plugs, adapters, and similar accessories, while free shipping may not be available, you can still benefit from heavily discounted shipping rates. These discounted rates allow you to receive your items in 1 or 2 days, often at a lower cost than traditional ground shipping options.

Even with this new promotion, our $4.99 flat rate for orders over $499 will still apply if applicable, providing an additional affordable shipping option. To see the promotional shipping rate, simply proceed to checkout and enter your full address. The system will calculate the discounted shipping cost for your qualifying products.

By 5G , ,

A Resolution Worth Keeping

Happy New Year!  It’s 2023 and we are looking forward to another great year of serving and shipping 5Gstore products to our customers.  Although 2022 had its fair share of shipping struggles (mainly the price of gas), our primary shipper, FedEx, was able to keep the packages moving and even enabled a few new advances. 

One of those advances is PPOD, or Picture Proof of Delivery.  This has rolled out in many areas within the country and will continue to do so throughout the year. Essentially, FedEx is taking pictures at the time of drop off so that any home delivery without a required signature will have visual proof of the delivery.  It’s the goal to have this for all deliveries, business or residential, that do not have a regular pick up or drop off schedule.  

Another exciting change, which kicked off in 2022, is that FedEx has set a goal of having a completely electrical vehicle deployment by 2040. Last year the company was able to start this journey in California. The result was putting over 100 vehicles on the road.  Not only is this good for the environment, but the goal is to cut down the customer cost of fuel and the surcharges that come along with shipping currently. This is a definite win/win.  

Although shipping seems to be a 365 day a year event, the fine workers at shipping companies need their holidays too.  Below is the 2023 Holiday Shipping Schedule.   

  • 4/8 and 4/9-  Easter Weekend
  • 5/27, 5/28, and 5/29 (Monday)- Memorial Day Weekend
  • 7/1 and 7/2- 4th of July Weekend
  • 7/4 (Tuesday)- 4th of July Day
  • 9/2, 9/3, and 9/4 (Monday)- Labor Day Weekend
  • 11/11- Veterans Day
  • 11/23 (Thursday) Thanksgiving Day
  • 11/25 and 11/26-  Thanksgiving Weekend
  • 12/16 and 12/17- Observed Holiday
  • 12/23, 12/24, and 12/25 (Monday)- Christmas Weekend and Day
  • 12/30, 12/31, and 1/1/24 (Monday)- New Years Weekend and Day. 

When shipping around the holidays be aware that Ground Services are occasionally closed. Planning ahead can make a big difference.  Many businesses who rely on shipping, will follow this when deciding what day to observe holidays for themselves. 

If you have any questions about shipping or when your order may arrive, please contact our team via phone, email, or chat!

By 5G , , , ,

‘Tis the Season: How Can the Holidays Effect Shipping?

We all love the changing of the leaves, the cooler temperatures, and the opportunity to enjoy time with family and friends.  Though the season brings many calming and enjoyable things on the surface, behind the scenes it is quite frantic and chaotic trying to make things happen.  

One behind the scenes factor is shipping.  With the way our world’s have changed over recent years we depend more on shipping now than ever and for everything.  From presents and gifts to household goods and groceries, there are more shipping trucks, vans, and even cars on the road than ever before. 

5GStore is no exception to the pains of dealing with high volume shipping.  Although 5GStore strives to ship the same day whenever possible, and usually does, we sadly can’t guarantee that your package will arrive on time once it leaves our warehouse in Illinois.  

Our primary source of shipping does not guarantee delivery by the day promised, unless the package is shipping overnight or internationally.  But at this time of year even those particular shipping methods will be exempt from being able to guarantee for the following dates,  Dec 13th through Jan 2nd.  

So what can you do to ensure you’re getting the products you need in a timely manner?

  • Plan ahead when possible.  Order early and allow extra time for the delivery process. 
  • Upgrade the shipping.  Try 2 or 3-day as opposed to regular Ground. 
  • Map your route.  Consider the distance between your destination and Illinois.  
  • Utilize pick up locations.  Many of the hubs have daily deliveries.  
  • Combine shipments.  Try to get 2 or more purchases to travel together.

As mentioned above, in addition to volume, weather plays a major role in how quickly you can get your products.  Since your package is coming from Illinois you should consider the weather there, where you live, and all points in between.  

Wishing a safe and healthy holiday season to you, your families, and business!

By 5G , , ,

How Fast Can I Get My Order?

Everybody has things to do, and everybody wants to get things done.  Preferably as fast, easy, and cost efficient as possible.  5Gstore is no different, in our mission statement “Helping You Stay Connected”, we too want to help people get things done with as little hassle as possible. 

The 5Gstore team works hard to have what you need, with the people and knowledge you want to get your desired results.  The only question is how to decide the best way to get what we have to you?  When you order from 5Gstore you can choose to order on your own account with a particular shipper or you can choose to use our account with the discounted rate applied.  When you check out on our website, there’s several options available to you but what is the difference between them all?

Whenever anything is shipped by any shipping company, the first thing to understand is that there are no guarantees.  The estimations for delivery are calculated based on factors such as, where is it coming from, and where is it going to.  What is the item, box, weight and when is the pickup of the package are also factors.  Weather, distance, and available hubs along the route of the package also play a part.  

The map below is our FedEx Ground Delivery guide which shows approximately how long a package should take to reach its destination, it clearly shows that the farther from the starting point (the star in Illinois) the longer it will take to reach the destination. 

As mentioned earlier, there are several options available to you on our website at the time of checkout and we can use an example of a 1 lb. package being shipped from the 5Gstore warehouse to New Orleans, Louisiana as a guide to see how it affects costs.  

  • SmartPost– This is the most cost effective way to do shipping but it may take 10-14 business days to arrive and with the SmartPost feature your package may be handed off to USPS to complete the delivery process.                      
    •  Cost to N.O.L.A.  $12.37
  • Ground– This is the most common means of transportation for packages.  The map above is a good guide for how many days it will take.      
    •  Cost to N.O.L.A.  $17.69
  • Express Saver–  This is the FedEx term for 3 day delivery. This is a rarely used means of delivery since it’s hardly financially beneficial.              
    • Cost to N.O.L.A.  $30.03
  • 2 Day– This is a semi-popular method, especially for those who live further away from the starting point.  When compared to Express Saver it’s the obvious choice since it’s slightly more to get the package a day earlier.                 
    • Cost to N.O.L.A.  $30.99

The above options are helpful when you need your product.   But what about when you need your product right NOW!?  There are 3 different overnight delivery options for you to choose from. 

  • Standard Overnight–  This option will get you your package tomorrow, and it could arrive at any time during the day.
    • Cost to N.O.L.A.  $44.01
  • Priority Overnight– This option will make your package a priority and will be delivered before noon.
    • Cost to N.O.L.A   $49.42
  • First Overnight– This option moves your package to the very top of the priority list, and could be there as early as 7:00 a.m. This could be a risky purchase if you have a business that doesn’t open until 9 or nobody at the house is an early riser.  If you absolutely need it, and you know it will be received then this might also be your best option.  
    • Cost to N.O.L.A.  $151.84

Though the information was for FedEx, all shipping companies operate very similarly regardless of which verbiage they use.  We hope that our example from 5Gstore to New Orleans gives you a better understanding of how costs are affected and what options are available to you.  If ever you are placing an order that is very large, or to a remote location within the country please feel free to call us ahead of making the order so that an estimated shipping quote can be created for you.  

By 5G , , ,

Feeling The Price At The Pump?

Over the last couple of months it seems like the price of most things have increased, but none more than the price of gas.  With the current price being what it is, this might make you want to pay those delivery charges for things instead of driving around town. 

Obviously when you order anything there’s a delivery fee, from pizzas to patio sets.  The convenience of delivery is sometimes well worth the cost, but how are costs determined?   With shipping there are a few factors taken into consideration, such as:

  • The destination of the delivery and its starting point can impact the cost.  The further the route or path of the route may affect which hubs can be utilized along the way. 
  • How many boxes are in the shipment. The more boxes there are, the more surcharges that may be applied.  
  • Special circumstances, like is the package going to a residential location, or does it require a signature upon delivery?  Yep, both of those factors create additional costs as well.  
  • Weight is a major factor, whether it be actual physical weight, or dimensional weight.  Dimensional weight or DIM weight is based on the actual size of the box being used and all shippers charge based on whichever number is greater.  
  • Gas.  Last, and certainly not least, is the cost of fuel.  When you consider the amount of fuel for vans, trucks, planes, etc it takes to get a small package from one place to another, it can be staggering. 

5Gstore is no exception to the price changes currently within our country.  Due to these changes, we’ve also had to make adjustments.  Recently, our promo shipping rate went from $4.99 on orders over $99 to orders over $499.  The shipping difference was simply consuming too much into the profit.  The average ground delivery for a single box currently ranges from $18-$23.   

As a 5Gstore customer, you might be asking yourself, “what can I do to keep my shipping rate lower?”  With a better understanding of how the prices generate from the carriers (FedEx or UPS) you may want to consider how and what you’re purchasing. 

  • Which account you use can definitely impact the price of your shipment.  When shipping through 5Gstore, on our account, you are automatically given a discount over normal shipping.  In addition, the fee for picking up is exempt since we have a planned pick up per our agreement.  
  • Order in bunches, by making bigger orders of the things that you need, you will cut down on the surcharges of many smaller orders.  Need a bigger shipment than normal? Call and let us know ahead of time so that our sales and purchasing teams can try to gather all your items for one shipment.  
  • Know your sizes, utilize the 5Gstore website to know how big your items are.  By utilizing the “Details” tab on your items webpage, you can see the physical specs of the item and plan how many boxes may be required.  For example, a single maritime antenna will always need its own box. 
  • Deliver to a hub, by having your shipment go to the FedEx depot or UPS store you may save money by not paying the residential residence delivery fee.  This fee alone can range anywhere from $5-$12 additionally.
By 5G , ,

Logistics Network Updates

5Gstore has been actively working to stay ahead of the curve when it comes to the ongoing supply chain issues due to numerous factors including the Sierra Chip Shortage.

We want to say THANK YOU to our customers for working with us during these challenging times and that we look forward to continuing to exceed each need in every way possible!

In the last 12+ months we have continued to see the impacts and have made the necessary pivotal changes to continue being able to keep business as usual for our continued and new customers.

Pivotal Changes For Staying Ahead:

  • Elevated Stock Levels:
    • Increased stocking levels to support all consumer and business needs.
  • Proactive Planning:
    • Strategically working with our vendors/customers to plan for their current and future needs.
  • Communication:
    • Keeping everyone informed on where things stand and advising appropriately so everyone can effectively plan and prepare.
  • Decreased Lead Times:
    • Due to the stock increases AND close planning with our customers – we have been able to decrease lead times on key products.

The day to day operations for all continue to sort through the challenges faced even beyond the supply shortages – like Staffing Shortages. Both Manufacturers and Carriers are dealing with the impacts from this and working to manage the impacts this has had on the lead times for fulfilling orders.

A key component for staying ahead is being informed and we would like to share with you some of the latest feedback and insight we have. 

Important Insight:

Sierra Wireless

We are starting to slowly see  stock availability for the Sierra products and backorders being fulfilled from the previous year. As they continue to push forward to get ahead, it will be important to stay on top of what is available now. 

Cradlepoint

Lead times are consistently fluctuating week to week – it is important you know how to plan accordingly for the more popular items as well as for the items that might be as common – replacement power supplies, spare antennas etc. 

Peplink

Lead times vary across the products due to component shortages – all stock is reviewed constantly for those that are facing these impacts, and those that might face the impacts in the near future. Although the lead times are extended on some of the popular products – we would like to highlight products that are readily available! 

Inseego

Inseego has been leading the way for 25 years by creating entirely new types of devices, including the world’s first mobile hotspots for leading wireless operators, technology titans, business users, government agencies, and consumers. 

Digi 

Since 1985, Digi International Inc. (Digi) has been a pioneer in wireless communication, forging the future for connected devices and responding to the needs of the people and enterprises that use them.  

Panorama

Panorama has had some extended lead times due to key changes being made internally to better serve the demand. In addition to this, there are some new 5G capable products out now to help you future proof! We are happy to start seeing the positive impacts from these changes.

Mobile Mark

Mobile Mark has done an exceptional job to keep their lead times without impact until more recently. The lead times have been extended by around 1 week on average, depending on the product and quantity needed, but with proper planning we have been able to avoid that impacting 5Gstore and our customers!

Poynting

Poynting has done a great job and planning for their stock accordingly to avoid delays when possible – Lead Times have stayed pretty consistent over the last 12+ months due to the combined efforts between Poynting and 5Gstore.

What Role Do YOU Play in YOUR SUCCESS?

Here are some key tips in staying ahead of the curve with 5Gstore! 

  • Knowing Stock Availability:
    • Items on our site that are readily available will have that easily displayed – Look for the “In Stock” Green Check Mark that indicates this!
  • Secure your place with stock:
  • Bring in your orders early:
    • Plan for orders now that would normally be reviewed in a 30-60-90 day manner.
  • Future Proof:
    • Work with us to be aware of the latest options and alternatives that are readily available!
By 5G , , , , , , , , , , ,

Take Control of your Shipments

It is important that you know how to stay ahead of the delays. Here are a few ways that you can take control and help reduce the impacts of these expected delays around this time of year due to the Holidays and Weather.

  1. Pick your method wisely
    • All carriers are facing Heavy Package Volumes and Driver shortages.
    • Ground Shipments are continuing to have extended delivery times averaging around 2-3 days longer.
    • Although the carriers strive to deliver your packages as quickly as possible – at this time all “Delivery Guarantees” are suspended through January 2022.
  2. Utilize pick up locations
    • Don’t forget to utilize the FedEx or UPS pickup locations.
    • This is a great way to avoid missing the first delivery attempt!
  3. Place your orders early
    • With the New Year quickly approaching – be sure to get your orders placed the week of 12/13/2021 to ensure you are ready to go before the end of the year.
    • Remember, we are here to help support getting your new equipment up and running!
  4. Ensure your shipping address is complete!
    • Be sure your shipping address is complete including a company name and/or suite/apt number when applicable. 

As always – thank you for being a 5Gstore Customer!

By 5G , , , , , , , ,