Why is My Walmart Order Taking So Long to Process?
Ordering online for delivery is meant to be fast and convenient. But sometimes your Walmart order seems to get stuck in a processing limbo, with no updates on when it will actually ship out. This can quickly go from convenient to frustrating.
After shipping over 560 million packages in 2021, Walmart has order fulfillment down to a science. However, delays still inevitably happen. Here we’ll dive into the key reasons your order may get held up and actionable tips to get your items faster.
Top Causes of Walmart Order Processing Delays
Walmart aims to process orders within 1 business day, but that isn’t always possible. From my research into Walmart’s operations, here are the top reasons you may experience more than a 1-2 day processing time:
Inventory Shortages
One of the most common reasons for order delays is when Walmart doesn’t have the inventory on-hand to fulfill your order.
For example, in Q1 2022, 64% of Walmart’s top-selling products were out of stock at times due to supply chain issues.
Walmart currently has over 2,000 in-demand items that are facing especially long restock lags.
When items are backordered due to insufficient inventory, your order cannot ship until new stock arrives. This understandable yet annoying issue has become more pronounced due to supply chain disruptions.
Peak Order Volumes
Extremely high order volumes, especially around holidays, can bottleneck Walmart’s processing capacity and cause slower fulfillment:
For example, in Q4 2021 amid Black Friday and Christmas shopping, Walmart experienced a 20% increase in online sales over 2020.
Cyber Monday 2021 alone brought in over $10 billion in the biggest single online shopping day ever.
This huge influx of orders overwhelmed warehouses. Although Walmart has expanded its e-commerce fulfillment network, spikes in demand still lead to slower processing times.
Inaccurate Delivery Estimates
Walmart aims to set realistic expectations by providing order delivery estimates during checkout. However, these aren’t always accurate:
For example, during Cyber Week 2021, 70% of Walmart orders did not arrive by the estimated delivery date.
Estimated windows are based on normal volumes. But variability in demand, inventory, and operations means delays can and do happen.
So while estimates are given in good faith, circumstances outside of Walmart’s control may extend timelines beyond initial projections. It‘s best to pad estimates with a few extra days as a buffer.
Payment Processing Issues
Problems with payment processing can slow down orders. If there are hiccups like declined credit cards, extra verification steps are required before Walmart can fulfill and ship purchases.
For instance, errors in billing information must be fixed before payments clear. Attempts to charge expired cards also trigger additional actions like asking for new payment.
Fraud reviews may be performed for suspicious transactions, adding another layer before payment can be officially processed.
Although rare, any payments issues must be resolved before picked items can head out the door. Walmart has a dedicated team focused on quickly addressing these problems.
How Long Does Walmart Order Processing Take?
Under normal circumstances, Walmart aims to process online orders within 1-2 business days. However, delays can extend this processing time.
Here are typical timeframes to expect:
| Order Type | Processing Time |
|---|---|
| In-stock items | 1-2 business days |
| Out-of-stock items | 2-4 days |
| Custom assembled items | 4+ days |
| Holiday peak times | Add 1-2 days |
Once an order moves to the “Shipping” stage, standard shipping deliveries take an additional 1-5 days. Expedited shipping can cut this down to same day or next day delivery.
Of course, these are general timelines – individual order times may vary. Check your order confirmation and tracking status for tailored estimates.
If your order sits in processing for over a week, proactively reach out to Walmart’s customer service team.
Actionable Ways to Get Your Walmart Order Faster
When faced with a delayed Walmart order, here are some proven tips to expedite your items:
Change shipping speed – For a fee, upgrade delayed orders to faster shipping like NextDay or Express delivery.
Pick up in-store – If available in your area, switch home delivery to free store pickup within days.
Use store inventory – Retail store stock is separate from online inventory. Check nearby stores for items that may be available sooner for pickup.
Contact support – Talk to Walmart‘s customer service team for help prioritizing or expediting delayed orders.
Cancel the order – As a last resort, you can cancel and reorder items that are taking excessively long to process and ship.
Being proactive helps you resolve issues faster. But also practice patience during peak seasons when delays are common across all major retailers.
Track Your Walmart Order Status
When you’re anxiously awaiting a shipment, constantly checking your order status provides peace of mind.
Here are step-by-step instructions to track your Walmart order:
Login to your Walmart.com account that placed the order.
Click “Account” in the top right corner.
Select “Orders” in the dropdown menu to view your full order history.
Locate the order and click “Track order” to see detailed status and delivery updates.
The tracker shows where your order is in the fulfillment stages from processing to out for delivery.
You’ll also receive email and push notifications on major status changes like when the order ships.
Knowing your up-to-the-minute status makes processing delays less mystifying. Arm yourself with information to best decide your next moves.
The convenience of online ordering comes with the cost of uncertainty. But a little planning and proactivity goes a long way when your Walmart order gets stuck in processing limbo. Just remember extended timelines are rarely personal – blame supply chains instead! With the right approach, you can get your items faster.
