iGadget Shipping & Delivery Policy

 

At iGadget, we are committed to delivering your order swiftly and safely. This Shipping & Delivery Policy explains our shipping methods, timeframes, and what you can expect when shopping with us. We ship exclusively within New Zealand (international shipping is not yet available), and we offer options to suit both urban and rural customers. Below, you'll find details on our dispatch times, courier services, rural delivery procedures, signature requirements, tracking, and shipping costs – all presented in clear, plain English for your convenience.

Shipping Timeframes and Cutoffs

We strive to dispatch all orders as quickly as possible. Orders placed before our midday cutoff (12:00 PM) on a business day are usually packaged and sent out the same day. Orders made in the afternoon (after 12:00 PM) or during weekends/public holidays will be shipped on the next business day. Our team packages orders every weekday morning until the courier pickup (around 1:30–3:00 PM). This means most items ship within 24 hours of your order being placed. (Please note that certain items containing batteries may require special handling and could face slight delays due to postal regulations.)

Once your order is dispatched, the delivery clock starts. For non-rural addresses, we use an overnight courier service, so your package is typically delivered on the next working day after pickup. Orders to the South Island or remote areas may take an extra day in transit due to distance. Rest assured, if any unforeseen delays occur, we will keep you informed and do our best to get your items to you as soon as possible.

Shipping Methods and Couriers

We have a range of shipping options to meet your needs, and our system will show you the available methods based on your address at checkout. All orders are sent via trackable courier service for reliability and peace of mind. We primarily partner with NZ Post (New Zealand Post’s courier network) for deliveries, which ensures fast shipping nationwide. Below are the methods we offer:

Standard Courier Delivery (Weekday Delivery): This is our default shipping method. For metro (non-rural) areas, standard shipping is overnight – meaning once your parcel leaves our warehouse, it should arrive on the next business day. For rural addresses, standard delivery is also available (see Rural Delivery section for timing). All standard shipments include parcel tracking, and insurance is provided while in transit for your protection.

Free Shipping (Orders over $99): We offer FREE standard shipping on orders NZ$99 and above to any address in New Zealand – rural or urban. If your cart total reaches $99, the free shipping option will automatically apply at checkout. Free shipping orders are sent with our standard courier service; signature-on-delivery is used by default for free shipments to ensure your package is handed over securely. (You may request authority to leave with no signature if preferred – see Authority to Leave and Signature section below.)

All our shipping methods are handled through trusted couriers, mainly NZ Post, ensuring that your parcel is in good hands. We currently do not ship via NZ Post stamp mail or other carriers – every order is via a traceable courier for speed and security. If you have any special delivery requirements, feel free to reach out to our team, and we will do our best to accommodate.

Delivery to Rural and Remote Areas

We gladly deliver to rural (RD) and remote addresses across New Zealand. Please note that a higher shipping fee applies to rural addresses, as charged by our courier. This means rural deliveries cost more than non-rural ones when the order total is under NZ$99. However, please be aware that delivery to rural areas typically takes a little longer than metro deliveries. While we dispatch rural orders just as quickly, the transit time is usually 1–2 days extra for rural/RD addresses compared to urban areas. This means a non-rural package sent overnight might arrive next day, whereas a rural package might arrive in 2-3 days. South Island rural deliveries can also expect an extra day on top of that in some cases.

When you enter your address at checkout, our system will recognize if it's rural and show the appropriate shipping options. Rest assured, even if you’re off the beaten track, we will get your order to you as fast as possible through reliable courier services. We pack all items securely to withstand the journey, and tracking is included so you can watch your parcel’s progress to your rural address. If you live in a hard-to-find area, providing any additional details in the delivery instructions (such as gate codes or landmark descriptions) can be helpful to ensure a smooth delivery.

Authority to Leave and Signature on Delivery

We understand that different customers have different delivery preferences. For safety and convenience, all our parcels are insured in transit, and we offer two delivery receipt options at checkout:

  • Authority to Leave (No Signature Required): If you select "Authority to Leave," the courier will deliver your parcel without needing a signature and will leave it in a secure spot at your address (for example, in your letterbox or at your doorstep). This option is great if you’re often away and want your package waiting for you. Please note: Once the courier has delivered and left the parcel, our insurance coverage ends. This means that after it’s dropped off, the package is at your own risk. We recommend choosing a delivery spot that is out of sight and protected from weather. You might also consider instructing us where to leave the parcel (there’s a notes field at checkout for any specific instructions).
  • Authority to Leave with Photo: We also offer an “Authority to Leave with Photo” option. This works the same way as standard authority to leave — the courier will leave your parcel in a secure location at your address without requiring a signature — but with an added layer of assurance. The courier will take a photo of the delivery location and upload it to the tracking link, so you can see exactly where your package was placed. Please note that once the parcel has been delivered and photographed, insurance coverage ends and the package is considered delivered. While the photo provides proof of placement, the parcel is still left at your own risk. We recommend selecting this option if you want the convenience of authority to leave combined with a record of where the item was left.
  • Signature on Delivery (Signature Required): If you choose "Signature Required," the courier will only deliver the parcel when someone at your address can sign or acknowledge receipt. This ensures that your order is handed directly to a person, adding an extra layer of security. With this option, the parcel is insured right up until it’s signed for by you or someone in your household. We typically default to Signature Required for high-value shipments and all free shipping orders over $99, to make sure your goods are directly received by you. If you prefer no signature (authority to leave) on a free-shipping order, just let us know in your order notes and we will honor that request.

Whichever option you choose, you will have the ability to track your parcel. If you select Authority to Leave, please keep an eye on the tracking updates so you know when the parcel has been delivered. If you have any concerns about a safe place to leave your package, we recommend opting for signature delivery. You can also contact us to discuss delivery instructions if you have special requirements (e.g., leave with a neighbor, deliver to front desk, etc.).

International Shipping

At this time, iGadget ships only within New Zealand. We do not currently offer standard international shipping for orders. Our focus is on serving our New Zealand customers with fast, reliable local delivery. While international delivery is in our plans for the future, we haven’t rolled it out just yet.

If you are an overseas customer interested in purchasing from iGadget, you can contact us directly to discuss possibilities. In some cases, we might be able to arrange a special international shipment, but this would be handled on a case-by-case basis with applicable shipping fees. Please email or call us for inquiries about international orders, and we’ll let you know what might be possible.

For now, all orders made through our website must list a New Zealand delivery address. We appreciate your understanding, and we will update our customers if and when our international shipping options become available.

Tracking and Delivery Issues

All iGadget orders come with tracking so you can follow your package’s journey from our warehouse to your doorstep. Once your order has been packaged and handed over to the courier, you will receive an email with your tracking link/number (along with your invoice). You can click this link to see real-time updates on where your parcel is and its estimated delivery day. If you have an iGadget account, tracking details may also be accessible in your order history. We recommend checking your spam or junk folder if you don’t see the tracking email in your inbox, as sometimes automated emails can be filtered incorrectly.

If your tracking information isn’t updating or you have concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We have insurance on all parcels, so if something goes awry in transit (e.g., lost or significantly delayed packages), we will work with the courier to resolve it. In the unlikely event your order has not arrived within the expected timeframe (based on the shipping estimates we provided), let us know as soon as possible. We can assist by locating the package and, if necessary, lodging an inquiry with the courier on your behalf. Your satisfaction is important to us, and we’ll do everything we can to ensure your purchase reaches you safely.

In case a delivery attempt is made when no one is home (and if you didn’t select Authority to Leave), the courier will typically leave a card-to-call or notification. You can then arrange a redelivery or pick-up from the nearest depot. Always double-check the delivery address you provide at checkout; if you notice a mistake in your address after placing the order, contact us immediately so we can update it before dispatch. We send packages out promptly, and correcting an address early can save a lot of time.

Shipping Charges

We aim to keep our shipping costs transparent and fair. Below is a breakdown of our shipping charges and free shipping policy:

  • Free Shipping for Orders $99 and Over: If your order total is NZ$99 or more, you automatically qualify for FREE standard shipping New Zealand-wide. This free shipping offer applies to all NZ addresses, including rural. We will still use a tracked, often signature-required service for these orders to ensure they arrive safely. Simply add items to your cart, and once the subtotal reaches $99, the free shipping option will be available at checkout.
  • Standard Shipping Fee (Orders under $99): For orders below $99, a small shipping fee will apply. We offer competitive, tailored rates based on your location to keep costs as low as possible. In many cases, we charge a flat, affordable rate for urban deliveries and a slightly higher rate for rural deliveries (reflecting the additional courier cost for rural service). Typical shipping costs range from a few dollars for metro areas to a bit more for rural – the exact amount will be calculated and displayed at checkout once you enter your address. You’ll be able to see this cost before you confirm your order. We do not add any hidden surcharges beyond what is shown.
  • Signature Service or Special Delivery Fees: Our standard shipping fee covers delivery with either signature required or authority to leave – the choice is yours at no extra cost. However, if you opt for another premium service when available, there may be a small additional charge. Any such fees will be clearly presented at checkout when you select the option. Again, all applicable shipping options and their costs will be transparently listed for you at checkout.
  • Promotional Shipping Offers: From time to time, we may run promotions (e.g. free shipping on all orders, or reduced rates) – if any promotional shipping offer is active, we will mention it on our website or during checkout. These offers are subject to terms of the promotion and may override the standard rates during the promo period.

In summary, shipping is free for orders $99+, and for smaller orders we charge a modest fee to get your items to you quickly and securely. We deliver nationwide in NZ with no extra rural surcharges beyond the standard rate shown. If you have any questions about shipping costs or want an estimate, feel free to contact us or add items to your cart and use the checkout shipping calculator. We're here to help make your shopping experience as smooth as possible, from checkout to delivery.