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Attention Procrastinators: It's Free Shipping Day

E-tailers try to lure the laziest of last-minute shoppers

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 17, 2009 2:22 PM CST

(Newser) – Too lazy to physically go to a store, and such a procrastinator that you haven’t ordered your holiday gifts online already? Then today is a very important day for you, my friend. A group of almost 700 online retailers (complete list here) have declared today “Free Shipping Day,” lopping shipping costs on some or all orders. It also happens to be the second-to-last day you can order gifts and have them delivered by Christmas via standard shipping.

The free-shipping idea got started last year, when online retailers realized that customers weren’t ordering in December, afraid they wouldn’t get packages on time. The first Free Shipping Day was a rousing success, with sales almost doubling from the day before. FedEx and UPS are bracing for a similar surge this time, reports the Washington Post.

FedEx driver Mike Tableman delivers a package in the Queens section of New York, Monday, Dec. 14, 2009.
FedEx driver Mike Tableman delivers a package in the Queens section of New York, Monday, Dec. 14, 2009.   (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)
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COMMENTS
Showing 2 of 2 comments
GeminiMishy
Dec 18, 2009 7:00 AM CST
Getting in line now! :D
BlueAyez
Dec 18, 2009 3:21 AM CST
Now this is capitalism at it's finest.

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