Very soon colder weather will come to the USA and we will have to be mindful of shipping most Tropical (Indoor) Bonsai trees to arrive successfully without freezing damage.
 

This is being provided to you in advance for informational purposes, in case you need to modify marketing and participation strategies, adjust fulfillment expectations and/or wish to use the attached document (modified in any manner) to accommodate communication with your customers.
 

Over the past 13 years we have developed a robust plan, processes and procedures to satisfy customers even though their trees and gifts may be delayed a few days, a few weeks, past Christmas and even to Spring in extreme cases for deliveries to northern states that border Canada.
 

Nobody but UPS/FedEX/USPS wins (gets paid) when a customer receives a cold weather damaged tree!
 

The attached document goes into great detail regarding the cold weather issue and options that we email to customers if their shipment will be delayed more than a few days. YOU will receive a similar version via email each time an order is delayed, YOU may elect to communicate with your customer to convey this information and instruct us if a Gift Certificate Pictorial or further action is needed.
 

In our past experience, approximately 90% of customers fully understand the delay once explained properly and are offered options, 7% will change to trees that travel fine in the cold (Junipers, Outdoor Evergreen or Deciduous trees) and only 3% will cancel outright.
 

Of those 90% accepting the delay, approximately one-third will request our Gift Certificate Pictorials, one-third will acknowledge the delay with an “OK, ship when warm” and one-third will not reply at all but still expect the delayed shipment when safe.
 

Finally, it is impossible to accurately predict the length and impact of colder weather from year to year. Some years Christmas is not affected at all, other years we are shut down for weeks at a time. Shipping as early as possible is encouraged. You may request cancellation and a full refund at any time until the order is actually shipped. “Overnight” shipping and heat packs in the box generally do not mitigate the problem in our experience.
 

We have become experts in reading weather forecasts, carrier transit times and scheduling deliveries only when safe. Generally the Mid West and Northern US States are impacted the most.

In conclusion, with the proper communication, the vast majority of customers understand the reason for the delay, accept and even thank us for taking precautions - maintaining the sale throughout the delay - even in gift giving situations.
 

Best wishes to you for a successful Christmas season.