Turn Failed Deliveries into Pickups, Not Returns
When a carrier can't complete a delivery, Via.Delivery lets your customer send the package to a nearby pickup location instead of waiting for another attempt. With FedEx, this works even after the third failed attempt, when the package would otherwise be on its way back to you.
Book a demo to see it with your own shipments.
Book a demo to see it with your own shipments.
Why failed deliveries are so expensive
- Signature-required shipments need someone home. Wine needs an adult (21+) to sign, and deliveries happen on weekdays, when most people are at work.
- After the last attempt, the package comes back. You pay for the return shipment, handle the returned box, and either reship or refund.
- Clubs and subscriptions lose members. A customer who keeps missing their shipments starts to see the membership as a hassle, and not getting the package is one of the main reasons people cancel.
How it works
- We track every home delivery. Tracking numbers come in automatically from Shopify, Commerce7 or your order management system such as ShipStation, and we check each shipment's status several times a day.
- We spot the failed attempt. As soon as the carrier reports a missed delivery, the customer gets an email and a text message in your store's name.
- We suggest the right location. The message offers the nearest pickup location that can take this package. We check the package's dimensions and weight, signature requirements and, for wine, whether the location accepts alcohol.
- The customer redirects in a few taps. The link opens the same pickup page used by Pickup Redirect: the closest location with its hours, other nearby options, and a map. They confirm, and the package is rerouted to the pickup location.
- The package is held for pickup. The customer is notified when it arrives. It's held for 7 days in secure, ambient storage.
FedEx and UPS
- FedEx: packages can be redirected to a pickup location after the first, second or even third failed attempt. Normally, after the third attempt, the package goes back to the sender. With a redirect, the customer can still collect it, and the return never happens.
- UPS: the same redirect works once you, as the shipper, activate UPS's redirect API on your UPS account. UPS may charge for this access. We help you set it up.
Easy to start, even right before the holidays
There's no checkout change and no new shipping method to configure. We read tracking numbers from the systems you already use, so it's quick to set up and easy to try. That makes it a practical way to cut returns before peak season.
Who it's for
- Wineries and wine clubs: adult-signature shipments that would otherwise bounce between attempts and come back.
- Subscription brands: recurring shipments where every missed box puts a subscriber at risk.
- Other signature-required or high-value shipments: goods customers can't leave on the porch.
How it fits with our other products
| Pickup at checkout | Pickup redirect before shipping | Missed delivery redirect | |
|---|---|---|---|
| When the customer chooses | During checkout | After the order is placed, before it ships | After a failed delivery attempt |
| What triggers it | Customer selects a pickup option | New order, including club and subscription orders | Carrier reports a missed delivery |
| Main benefit | Lower shipping cost, no porch theft | Pickup for orders that never see a checkout | Fewer returns and reshipments |
| Setup | Checkout plugin or API | Store or order management integration | Tracking numbers from your store or order management system |
Many merchants use all three: pickup at checkout for new orders, Pickup Redirect before shipping for clubs and subscriptions, and Missed Delivery Redirect as the safety net for everything shipped to a home address.
Works with your stack
- Store platforms: Shopify, Shopify Plus, Commerce7
- Order management: ShipStation and other order management systems
- Wine fulfillment partners: Wineshipping, WeShipExpress, Copper Peak Logistics, Wine Country Connect, WineCub, BeyondVino
- Carriers: FedEx; UPS with the redirect API enabled
FAQ
What counts as a failed delivery attempt?
Any attempt the carrier reports as not delivered, for example when nobody is available to sign. We detect it from the tracking updates and contact the customer right away.
Can a package be redirected after the third attempt?
With FedEx, yes. After the third failed attempt the package would normally be returned to the sender, but the customer can still send it to a pickup location instead.
Does it work with UPS?
Yes, once the shipper activates UPS's redirect API, which UPS may charge for. We help with the setup.
Do I need to change my checkout or shipping settings?
No. We read the tracking numbers from Shopify, Commerce7 or your order management system, such as ShipStation.
Which pickup location does the customer see?
The nearest location that can accept the package: we check size and weight, signature requirements and, for wine, whether the location accepts alcohol. The customer can also choose a different one on the map.
How long is the package held?
7 days from arrival. The customer gets a notification when it's ready.