When customers venture into the realm of online shopping, they often encounter a barrage of industry-specific jargon that's assumed to be understood. Yet, without a clear guide, deciphering these terms can be a daunting task. This article aims to demystify some of the terminology used in the world of order fulfillment, with a particular focus on the phrase "awaiting fulfillment." By shedding light on this specific term, we intend to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the often bewildering terminology found in the eCommerce industry.

It's essential to clarify that when your order status reads Awaiting Fulfillment within the eCommerce landscape, it doesn't imply that your order has mysteriously vanished. On the contrary, it signals that your order is likely on the brink of being prepared for shipping. Let's delve with Worldcraft Logistics into the intricacies of this order status and equip you with the knowledge you need to navigate the online shopping experience effectively.

1. What does awaiting fulfillment meaning?

The awaiting fulfillment mean is that the process that involves the picking and packing of the items on your order into boxes ready to be shipped. When this process is complete, the order gets a shipment number and is ready to be dispatched.

An example of an order status awaiting fulfillment:

If your order is in an Awaiting Fulfillment status, it signifies that the staff has received it and is currently preparing your shipment. As a result, you will soon receive a notification from them confirming the dispatch of your goods.

You can check your order status to stay updated after placing your order and making an online payment. In most cases, the status of your order will be "Completed." Awaiting Fulfillment is the next order status you will encounter, indicating that your package has not yet reached the logistics team. However, your item is already being prepared by the seller, and once it's packaged, the merchant will send it to the logistics department.

Some other terms that may help you:

- Unlocking B2B Fulfillment Excellence: Strategies and Solutions for Customers

- Mastering inventory management in supply chain knowledge to Success

2. Why is your order awaiting fulfillment? What is the cause?

Awaiting Fulfillment is a pivotal stage in the order journey, typically progressing swiftly thanks to modern, efficient logistical solutions. However, customers who do not closely monitor order updates may easily overlook this stage.

Yet, if a product is out of stock or if there are gaps in the order, this order status may persist for an extended period. While it should be a dynamic status, any prolonged delay may be attributed to the following reasons:

2.1 Inventory Location Issues

Delays in fulfillment may arise due to difficulties in locating items as specified in the order. This problem can occur due to suboptimal warehouse organization or unclear communication. These issues could be potential causes for the order status remaining stuck at "awaiting fulfillment."

To prevent such unnecessary delays, strategic inventory positioning is essential. Inventory positioning encompasses both the physical placement of your inventory in storage and its broader location within the supply chain. Planning inventory positioning requires vigilance, from placing heavy or large SKUs on lower racks to ensuring easy access to high-volume products.

Many e-commerce companies have opted to alleviate the challenges of inventory management by outsourcing it to Worldcraft Logistics. Worldcraft Logistics takes charge of your inventory, positioning it close to your customers in one of our numerous fulfillment centers. Our dedicated team of warehouse employees efficiently organizes your inventory to streamline the fulfillment process.

2.2 Inventory Management Challenges

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Brands in the midst of rapid growth can occasionally encounter issues with improper inventory management, leading to "out-of-stock," "back-ordered," and mismanaged storage scenarios. All of these situations can result in orders languishing in the Awaiting Fulfillment status for extended periods.

To cope with the demands of a growing business, it is imperative to implement systems capable of managing increasing volumes and workloads. In such a scenario, forming a partnership with Worldcraft Logistics, a 3PL expert offering order fulfillment solutions and an integrated inventory management software, can prove highly beneficial.

3. How long does awaiting fulfillment take?

Standard wait times for order fulfillment are typically between 48 and 72 hours. During this time, carriers will make every effort to prepare orders for shipping. Once fulfillment is complete and your order has been submitted, you will promptly receive an email notification to notify you. This email will also include detailed tracking information for your order, allowing you to easily track its status and predict its arrival. With this tracking information in hand, you'll have real-time visibility into your order journey, ensuring that you stay updated every step of the way.

4. Order statuses other than awaiting fulfillment to know

In addition to the Awaiting Fulfillment status, there are several other crucial order status updates that can help you gain a clearer picture of the progress of your purchase and shipment. Here, we outline some of the most commonly encountered order statuses:

4.1 Submitted for Fulfillment

Once you've paid for your order and the online retailer has confirmed it, the order is submitted for fulfillment. This update signifies that the order details, including the invoice, have transitioned from the ecommerce company to their logistics partner. While this update may not always appear in tracking notifications, its purpose is often to swiftly move the order into the fulfillment process. When customers use the tracking number link and see this update, it confirms that the payment has been accepted and verified, and the order is en route to fulfillment.

4.2 Pending Fulfillment

This is the stage at which the logistics partner of the ecommerce business accepts the fulfillment request and initiates the process of selecting and packing the products into the appropriate shipping containers. However, the fulfillment process is not yet complete. Many companies use "Pending Fulfillment" interchangeably with "Awaiting Fulfillment." In some cases, the order's tracking information may indicate that it is "on hold," signifying that certain information is missing or required for the order to be fulfilled. This could relate to missing customs information, incomplete label details, unclear packaging preferences, and more. Once the missing information or details are provided, the order processing will resume.

4.3 Shipped

An important milestone in the order journey, the "Shipped" status informs you that your order has been successfully dispatched via a courier company. If an online retailer has promised a two-day delivery, this is typically calculated from the ship date, which is the date when the order is shipped. Customers usually receive a confirmation email or text with package tracking details at this point. Subsequent updates, such as "in transit," "at the local hub," "out for delivery," and so on, are to be expected. Most major shipping companies, such as FedEx, USPS, DHL, and UPS, provide estimated delivery dates to help recipients plan accordingly.

4.4 Delivered

The most gratifying status update for customers is "Order Delivered." This update is only triggered when the shipment has reached the recipient or is waiting outside their home or garage for pickup. On occasion, delivery services may incorrectly label an order as delivered. In such cases, customers should promptly contact the online retailer to report the issue. Despite the diligence exercised by carriers, delivery exceptions may still occur, leading to unexpected delays due to factors like customs delays, public holidays, damaged labels, adverse weather conditions, and more. E-commerce companies should be well-prepared for such scenarios and maintain open communication channels with their customers.

4.5 Pending

"Pending" indicates that you have initiated the process of adding products to your cart but have not yet completed the checkout procedure. In certain apps, you may encounter "Incomplete" instead of "Pending." When you see this notification, you won't be able to acquire the items until you finalize the checkout process.

4.6 Payment

When you see the status "Awaiting Payment," it means you've completed the checkout process, but the vendor is still waiting for your payment. After selecting your desired products and proceeding to checkout on the app or website, you'll typically be directed to the payment page. Here, you can settle your bill using your e-wallet or perform a bank transfer. Often, customers might not pay much attention to this order status because they usually check the status after they've made their payment. In essence, "Awaiting Payment" is an intermediate stage indicating the pending payment process.

4.7 Awaiting Shipment

Your order status transitions to "Awaiting Shipment" after the merchant has coordinated with the logistics team. This status signifies that the merchant is presently awaiting the pickup of your items by the logistics crew. It may also indicate that your items are already at the logistics department, ready for dispatch. In most cases, your items are in the logistics warehouse, primed for shipment to you.

4.8 Awaiting Pickup

"Awaiting Pickup" indicates that you can collect your order from a location specified by the seller. This status is not typical and is employed by merchants who do not offer door-to-door delivery services. Instead, they facilitate delivery to a designated site where local customers can retrieve their orders.

4.9 Partially Shipped

"Partially Shipped" is a relatively uncommon order status and is not applicable to all online shopping platforms. This status is primarily used by online shopping applications or websites with numerous sellers. For instance, if you've ordered seven items but have only received two, your order status will be "Partially Shipped." This status remains until all seven items have been acquired.

4.10 Cancelled

Orders can be "Cancelled" for various reasons, such as insufficient funds when using a debit card, as an example. In some cases, the order status may start as "Awaiting Payment." If the payment remains unpaid for a specific period, it transitions to "Cancelled."

4.11 Declined

"Declined" signifies that your order was marked as such, likely due to a failed payment attempt. This can result from inadequate funds in your e-wallet or on your debit card. It could also be due to issues with your issuing bank.

4.12 Refunded

The "Refunded" status indicates that the seller has successfully reimbursed your payment. This typically occurs when you didn't receive the purchased products or received a damaged item, making you eligible for a refund.

4.13 Partially Refunded

"Partially Refunded" is a status occasionally used by certain businesses to signify that they have partially refunded the buyer's money. However, most merchants prefer one-time refunds in the majority of cases.

5. Keys differences between awaiting fulfillment and pending fulfillment

The terms pending and awaiting fulfillment are virtually synonymous in the realm of eCommerce order fulfillment, and they are commonly employed interchangeably by various eCommerce companies and brands.

Irrespective of the specific terminology you prefer, simultaneously Worldcraft Logistics is steadfast in its mission to minimize processing times. We understand that eCommerce customers require fast delivery services on a global scale. Our team of freight handling, delivery and express shipping partners are dedicated to ensuring your order is shipped with maximum speed and efficiency.

In addition to our commitment to rapid order processing, we also prioritize the secure and reliable delivery of your products to their intended destinations. With a global reach and a focus on customer satisfaction, The delivery group of some companies strives to meet and exceed your expectations for timely and efficient order fulfillment and shipping services.

6. GREAT ways to help you improve your order fulfillment process

Unlike traditional brick-and-mortar shopping, in the realm of e-commerce, customers' first physical interaction occurs when they receive their eagerly awaited order package. While many online retailers tend to focus on enhancing the pre-purchase journey, it's the post-order placement experience that truly influences customer loyalty and repeat business. Shockingly, a staggering 72.7% of survey respondents indicated that a subpar delivery experience could deter them from shopping with an online retailer ever again.

In this fiercely competitive landscape, where giants like Amazon have set the bar high with their swift same-day, next-day, and two-day delivery standards, any brand falling short of delivering a delightful experience is essentially leaving significant growth opportunities untapped. For a burgeoning direct-to-consumer (D2C) business, it's imperative to continuously push boundaries and implement strategies that optimize operational efficiency. Let's explore some effective ways to elevate your order fulfillment process and, in turn, elevate the overall customer satisfaction levels.. Here are 3 ways to help you optimize costs for your business model:

6.1 Enhance Your Returns Process

Returns are often viewed as a cost burden, but they can be transformed into an opportunity for valuable feedback and an outstanding customer experience. Returns fall into two major categories: controllable and uncontrollable. Controllable returns result from issues such as unclear communication, packaging mishaps, shipping delays, and the like. As the name implies, these can be mitigated with careful handling.

On the other hand, uncontrollable returns are beyond a brand's control and hinge on customer behavior. For instance, the apparel industry often grapples with "serial returns," where customers buy multiple sizes or items with the intention of returning those they don't like.

If you aspire to refine your approach to controllable returns, consider the following steps:

• Collaborate with your team handling returns to rectify issues like packaging improvements.
• Solicit and take into account customer feedback on returned products.
• Clearly communicate your return policy on your website.
• Enhance your inventory management.
• Convey product details and employ visuals that closely resemble the actual items to bridge information gaps.

Explore Worldcraft Logistics's fulfillment solutions, which offer efficient returns management, or utilize their integration with popular e-commerce returns platforms.

6.2 Automate Order Processing

If you aim to scale your business while grappling with an increasing workload, adopting automated order processing is the solution. Simply put, it harnesses technology to expedite order handling without the need for manual intervention.

Leveraging technology reduces the chances of human error, enhances operational efficiency, and accelerates order fulfillment and shipping procedures. Automation in order processing is no longer exclusive to large e-commerce enterprises; even smaller retailers recognize the efficiency gains offered by third-party logistics providers like Worldcraft Logistics, which offer automated order management systems.

6.3 Forecast Demand

To deliver a seamless customer experience and minimize time spent on steps like awaiting fulfillment oder status it's crucial to have greater control over inventory planning. Forecasting is a key element of inventory management, providing insights and data to understand the impact of promotions on stock, SKU movement, and inventory replenishment.

Consider partnering with a third-party logistics company like Worldcraft Logistics LLC, which provides a comprehensive dashboard for real-time tracking of inventory and orders, along with support for inventory forecasting. This empowers brands to proactively meet customer demand and streamline their operations.

7. Awaiting fulfillment FAQs

7.1 Why Pending Fulfillment is important for current e-commerce?

The term "Pending Fulfillment" in the context of e-commerce typically refers to the status of an order that has been received and is awaiting processing and shipment. This status is indeed crucial for current e-commerce operations for several reasons: Order management, customer expectations, inventory management, operational efficiency, customer communication, quality control... In summary, it helps e-commerce businesses provide a smooth and reliable shopping experience while also facilitating their internal processes and logistics.

7.2 Is Awaiting Fulfillment the same as "Processing"?

In the context of e-commerce, Awaiting Fulfillment and "Processing" are similar but not necessarily the same. These terms are often used interchangeably by different e-commerce platforms, but their precise meanings can vary. While "Processing" often suggests a more advanced stage than Awaiting Fulfillment the specific meanings can differ between e-commerce platforms. Some platforms may use "Processing" to describe the same stage as Awaiting Fulfillment while others may reserve "Processing" for a later stage in the fulfillment process.

7.3 How can I track my order once it's moved out of Awaiting Fulfillment?

After your order has moved out of the Awaiting Fulfillment status, you can track it through various methods, depending on the e-commerce platform or retailer you are using. Here are the common ways to track your order:

• Order Confirmation Email: Many e-commerce platforms and retailers send an order confirmation email containing a tracking number or a link to track your order.
• Order History on the Website: Access your account on the website, go to the order history section, and you will see the status of your order along with a tracking link or number if the order has been shipped.
• Shipment Confirmation Email: Once your order is shipped, you will typically receive a shipment confirmation email. This email will include a tracking number and a link to the carrier's website (e.g., UPS, FedEx, USPS) where you can track your package in real-time.
• Carrier's Website: If you have the tracking number, you can visit the carrier's website (e.g., UPS, FedEx, USPS) and enter the tracking number in the provided tracking tool. This will give you the most up-to-date information on the status and location of your package.
• Mobile Apps: Some e-commerce platforms and shipping carriers offer mobile apps that allow you to track your order on your smartphone. Download the relevant app and enter your order information or tracking number.
• Customer Support: If you are unable to find tracking information through the methods mentioned above, you can contact the customer support of the e-commerce platform or retailer. They should be able to provide you with the tracking details for your order.

It's important to note that the availability of tracking information and the specific methods may vary depending on the e-commerce platform and shipping carrier used. In most cases, you will have access to tracking information to monitor the progress of your order from the moment it leaves the Awaiting Fulfillment stage to its final delivery.

In conclusion, the Awaiting Fulfillment stage in e-commerce serves as the critical bridge between order placement and the exciting moment when your package is on its way.  For e-commerce businesses, the Awaiting Fulfillment status is not just a process - it's a PROMISE. It signifies the beginning of a seamless experience that encompasses effective order management, inventory control, and, most importantly, customer satisfaction. It's the stage where potential issues are proactively addressed, ensuring that each order is primed for a delightful journey. Worldcraft Logistics thank for read us article, if you need a reputable 3PL or shipping unit, do not hesitate to contact us immediately, we are always ready to support you with all our might.