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Ordering products online has become a trend in the digital world of today. Owing to its convenience, more people are relying on these stores for their shopping needs - when you purchase things from an online store and check up with your order status often enough, then there's always a chance that some technical terminologies may go over your head because they're not explained well or at all! One such word would be “awaiting fulfillment." Some customers think this means their package disappeared only it doesn't really mean anything like that.
What's the deal with awaiting fulfillment? It means your package is on its way, not necessarily gone. Knowing this will help you be patient!
What Is The Meaning Of Awaiting Fulfillment?
The real awaiting fulfillment meaning is that your order has been received by the staff and is getting ready to be shipped soon. So, you can expect to receive an email confirming the shipment of the item. When an order reaches the stage of “awaiting fulfillment,” it means that the order has been paid for and will move to the packing department to pack and then ship.
So, next time you see your order status as awaiting fulfillment, make sure not to panic. It doesn’t at all mean an issue with your order. It means you will be getting your package very soon.
Why Is There A Need For The “Awaiting Fulfillment” Order Status?
Ordering an item online and getting it delivered is not a single-step process. Rather there are a number of steps in between. It all starts with the customers placing an order with a retailer online and making the payment for the item. Once the payment of the order is made, the order is marked as complete with the fulfillment system. In the next step, the product is immediately sent to the particular logistic company of the retailer.
When the order reaches “awaiting fulfillment,” the logistics warehouse has not initiated the order fulfillment process. In this stage, the ordered item will be picked and then packed in the right boxes, ready to be shipped. After completing this process, the order will get a shipping number. Finally, the package will be dispatched soon for delivery at the customer's location. Before the dispatch process starts, the customers will receive a confirmation mail showing the status as “awaiting shipment.”
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Different Order Status and Their Meaning
Now that you know the awaiting shipment meaning and awaiting fulfillment meaning, it is also essential to understand other order statuses. Are you wondering what fulfillment status mean? Well, it means the stages your online order has to go through. Here are some of the significant stages your order usually passes when you purchase online.
Submitted for Fulfilment
This initial step occurs when you make the payment after an online purchase. The order status means that your order is complete and is on the way to the logistics of the selected retailer.
Pending fulfillment
Many people have a confusion about what pending fulfillment mean. Pending fulfillment status means that your order is in a queue. Your order has been received by the company but is yet to be processed. In other words, the process of picking and packing hasn’t started.
In fulfillment
Wondering what does in fulfillment mean? It simply means that the order has been processed. It is now being prepared to be shipped.
Shipped
When your order status becomes “shipped,” the item has been handed over to FedEx, USPS, or UPS. At this stage, you will get an email in which you will find a link. Using the link, you can easily track and monitor the progress of your order. The link will provide you with an estimation of the expected delivery date.
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Delivered
The order status “delivered” means that the carrier company has delivered the product to the customer. When you see this status but have not received the parcel, you must check with the retailer or carrier with whom the order was placed. This will ensure that the order is not delivered to the wrong address.
Difference between "Pending Fulfillment" and "Awaiting Fulfillment"
A lot of customers get confused between pending fulfillment and awaiting fulfillment. Well, it is pretty normal. In eCommerce fulfillment, both “pending” and “awaiting” mean the same. The eCommerce companies usually use these terms interchangeably.
Difference Between Awaiting fulfillment vs. Awaiting Shipment
The terms awaiting fulfillment and awaiting shipment are again often used interchangeably. Though both times may sound similar, they have very different meanings. As mentioned above, when an order status shows “awaiting fulfillment,” the logistics warehouse has not initiated the order fulfillment process. On the other hand, when an order is delivered as “awaiting shipment,” the package is ready to be dispatched for delivery. However, both these statuses show that the order is complete and is being processed for shipping.
Related: What Does My USPS Tracking Status Mean?
Awaiting fulfillment FAQS
Now that you know the meaning awaiting fulfillment, it is also essential to understand some of the most frequently asked questions about this term. This will help to clear all your doubts and confusion. Let’s have a look at some of these FAQs:
Q: How Long Does Awaiting fulfillment Take?
A: Well, it depends on the company from which you have placed the order. Usually, it takes 1-3 days for an order to be processed and shipped after the payment is made.
Q: Why did my order change from "Pending" to "Awaiting Fulfillment"?
A: Most cases happen because the company has updated its order status. As mentioned earlier, both "pending" and "awaiting" have the same meaning. So, there is nothing to worry about.
Q: What are some common reasons for an order to change from "Pending" to "Awaiting Fulfillment"?
A: There can be various reasons for this change in order status. It can be because of a delay in processing the payment. Sometimes, it can also be due to stock issues or problems with the shipping address.
Q: What does it mean if my order is "Awaiting Fulfillment" for more than a week?
A: If your order status shows "awaiting fulfillment" for more than a week, then there might be some problem with the company from which you have placed the order. In such cases, it is always better to contact the customer care department and inquire about the status of your order.
Related: What Are Scheduled Delivery Pending and Awaiting Delivery Scan Statuses?
3 ways you can improve your fulfillment process
Now that you know what awaiting fulfillment means, it is also essential to understand how you can improve your order fulfillment process. Here are three ways you can do that:
1. Automate Your fulfillment Process
The first and foremost thing that you need to do is to automate your order fulfillment process. This will help to save a lot of time and energy. You can use various software and tools to automate different tasks involved in the fulfillment process, such as order tracking, inventory management, shipping, etc.
2. Use a Third-Party Logistics Provider
Another way to improve your order fulfillment process is to use a third-party logistics provider (3PL). A 3PL company specializes in managing the entire fulfillment process for you. They will pick, pack, and ship your orders to your customers. This will help to save a lot of time and money.
3. Improve Your Shipping Process
Last but not least, you need to improve your shipping process. This includes ensuring that your orders are shipped on time and delivered to the correct address. You can track your shipments and delivery status using various tools and technologies.
Related: Why Did My UPS Package Get Rescheduled?
How Simpl Can Help Improve Your fulfillment Process
If you are looking for ways to improve your order fulfillment process, you can consider using Simpl. We are a leading eCommerce fulfillment company that can help you with all your fulfillment needs. We offer various services, such as order tracking, inventory management, shipping, etc.
Simpl is the perfect solution for small businesses and startups who do not have the resources to set up their fulfillment process. We will pick, pack, and ship your orders to your customers. We also provide real-time tracking so that you can track your shipments anytime.
Related: USPS Lost My Package: What Do I Do?
Conclusion
You might think that Amazon FBA would be a simple process, but there are many things you should know to avoid confusion. For example, suppose your order is awaiting fulfillment. In that case, it means the product has been shipped from Amazon into their warehouse, and they're waiting for someone at the shipping company to pick up the package before sending it out again. This status can help you understand how long something will take and track exactly where your shipment is in transit.
But if things still seem unclear or confusing, we’re here for you! We specialize in helping companies fulfill their needs to focus on what matters most – growing their business. Contact us today to find out how our team can simplify this for you!
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