Shipping Information
Shipping Dates
Frequently Asked Questions
Shipping Order Form
Shipping Dates:
In order to keep costs down, we only ship 7 times each year. The shipping dates for 2011 are:
April 11
June 13
August 15
September 12
October 17
November 14
December 12
2012 Shipping Dates
April 16
May No Shipping
June 11
July No Shipping
August 13
Sept 17
Oct 15
Nov 12
Dec 17
PLEASE NOTE WE CANNOT SHIP ANY OTHER DATES.
Frequently Asked Questions About Shipping
How do I place my order?
Please use the online shipping order form located above. We accept orders beginning two weeks before each shipping date and ending at noon the Friday before the shipping date. You can also place your order by calling our office toll free at 1.866.243.3312. If you call in, please be sure to tell the representative you would like your order shipped.
If you use either method, a representative will contact you with a final price based on your order. We have to calculate the number of shipping containers that will be needed in order to accurately price your order. Once we return your call with a price, and the price is acceptable to you, we will take your credit card information and complete your order.
Please note if you call our office any other time, you may need to leave a message. Since our office is only staffed a few weeks each month, there are times when no one is in the office. If you have to leave a message, your call will be returned within a couple of days.
How can I be notified of upcoming shipping dates?
To be notified of upcoming shipping dates please fill out the form below and you will be notified about two weeks before each shipping date. The notification will include items available and pricing for the upcoming sale.
Sign up for email notification.
How long after I place my order can I expect my shipment to arrive?
Shipments for all orders received through noon Friday before the shipping date are shipped the following Monday (see the specific dates here). Because of the perishable nature of the produce, orders are only shipped on Monday. By shipping only on Monday, it gives plenty of time for the order to arrive before the weekend. Shipments are stagnant over the weekend, which allows too much time for our produce to thaw. The only exceptions are on holidays that fall on a Monday. When a holiday falls on a shipment Monday, orders are shipped on Tuesday of that week.
How is the produce shipped?
All produce is shipped in Styrofoam coolers with dry ice to keep the produce frozen during transit. Ideally, there should be a small amount of dry ice in your shipment when received, but as long as the produce is still frozen, or only slightly thawed; the produce is fine and completely edible.
What carrier is used for shipping?
Most orders are shipped via FedEx. Alternately, UPS is used when FedEx does not service a destination. Once FedEx has accepted your shipment, you will receive a tracking number for your reference. You can track your package at www.FedEx.com.
Why are the Shipping costs so high?
Shipping costs include not only the FedEx charge, but also the cost of dry ice and the cost of the shipping container. We try to purchase these items as inexpensively as possible in order to keep the costs down, but unfortunately, the cost of these items do drive the shipping charge higher.
Why are the Shipping costs so high to my location?
West Coast customers will note a rather high shipping charge. Because our product must reach its destination within four days, FedEx Express must be used. Unfortunately, FedEx Ground cannot guarantee the delivery within four days and therefore the product may be thawed before it reaches its destination.
I currently have an account with FedEx or UPS. Will you ship using my account number so I can save on the shipping charge?
Unfortunately, we can only ship using our carrier. We negotiate discounts with FedEx that allow us the best price possible, but our pricing discounts require us to hit certain shipping targets. Using your account will hamper our ability to hit these targets and would, in turn, drive the prices higher for all customers.
Who do I contact with questions?
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Steve at steve@southwesternproduce.com or call 1.866.243.3312 to speak with a representative in our office.
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