By Christine Frietchen on November 29, 2009 in
December 20 is this year's drop-dead date for on-time holiday shipping, but if you want to take advantage of free shipping offered by some online retailers, you need to act faster than that. We've looked at this year's free-shipping offers and thrown them into a chart for your reference. In addition, hundreds of retailers are participating in Free Shipping Day on December 17, so if you order on that day, you can take advantage of free shipping and on-time standard delivery. The catch is that you have to order on that day.
We found the very best free-shipping deals at online stores that offer some kind of free shipping year-round -- not just during the holiday shopping season. Amazon.com and Zappos.com have the best policies.
- Amazon.com will continue to offer free Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Not every item qualifies for free shipping, but most do. The cut-off date is Dec. 17 for free on-time delivery.
- Zappos.com is a huge online shoe store, but they also carry clothing, gadgets and household items. Shipping and returns are always free at Zappos (no minimum order). This store currently has the latest drop-dead date for one-time free delivery; order by 1:00 p.m. Dec. 23 (PST).
- Overstock.com offers free shipping with no minimum from now through Dec. 26. Order by 2:00 a.m. Eastern time by Dec. 18 for on-time free delivery. Note that the offer doesn't apply to orders consisting only of books, games or movies.
Other stores are running free shipping offers, but they aren't quite as great as those at Amazon, Zappos and Overstock.
| Retailer |
Minimum order for free shipping |
Cut-off date for on-time free shipping |
| Sears | $39 for clothes; $49 for toys, shoes, media; $99 for electronics, small appliances, lawn/garden |
Dec. 17 |
| Barnes and Noble |
"Fast & Free" delivery minimum $25 on eligible items | Not stated, but probably Dec. 20 |
| Toys R Us |
Free shipping on select items, $49 minimum |
Not stated, but probably Dec. 16 |
| Gap, Old Navy, Banana Republic | $50 minimum |
Dec. 15 |
| J Crew |
$150 minimum, ends Nov. 29 |
Nov. 29 |
| Newegg.com |
Free shipping on most items | Not stated, but probably Dec. 20 |
| Cooking.com | Free shipping on about 200 items | Dec. 19 |
| Pottery Barn / Williams Sonoma | Free shipping only on select holiday items | Not stated |
| Apple | $50 minimum |
Not stated |
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