So your tracking just updated to “We’re Expecting It” and you’re thinking… what on earth does that actually mean?
Is your parcel floating in some mysterious Evri limbo? Has it even begun its journey? Or is this just another one of Evri’s delightfully vague status updates that tells you precisely nothing?
We’ve all scratched our heads at Evri’s creative approach to tracking statuses. From “On its Way” (but to where exactly?) to “We’ve Got It” (have you really, though?), deciphering their updates can feel like cracking the Da Vinci Code – only with less treasure and more frustration at the end.
Let’s cut through the confusion and figure out what the Evri update “We’re Expecting It” actually means for your parcel, how long it’s likely to stay in this status, and most importantly – when you might actually see your stuff.
What Does “We’re Expecting It” Actually Mean?
In plain English, “We’re Expecting It” means Evri knows about your parcel, but they don’t actually have it in their possession yet. Think of it as a reservation rather than an actual check-in.
What’s happened is that your retailer has created a shipping label, passed your details to Evri, and the courier’s system has acknowledged this information. But physically? Your parcel is still sitting with the retailer and waiting for collection to enter Evri’s network.
This is the very first status you’ll see in the Evri tracking journey – the digital equivalent of your retailer saying “Yes, we’re planning to send this.” At this point, Evri’s involvement is limited to simply being aware that a parcel with your name on it exists somewhere in the universe.
So if you’re wondering why your package isn’t moving yet, it’s because the handover to Evri hasn’t actually happened. Your parcel needs to be physically transferred from the retailer to Evri before any real progress can begin.
How Long Will My Parcel Stay at “We’re Expecting It”?
The good news is that most parcels don’t linger in this initial status for too long. Typically, you’re looking at 1-3 business days before your package moves to the next status. If you’ve splashed out on next-day delivery, this can be a matter of hours – with the status often changing the same day your order is processed.
However, several factors can extend this timeline:
Weekend orders with a “standard” delivery speed tend to sit in this status until Monday (or Tuesday after a bank holiday) when regular collection schedules resume. During peak seasons like Black Friday or Christmas, add an extra day or two as retailers scramble to keep up with order volumes.
Retailer efficiency plays a huge role too. Some shops are lightning-fast at processing orders and handing them over to couriers, while others can take more than 48 hours to pick, pack, and then hand over your parcel to Evri.
When should you start worrying? If your parcel has been stuck on “We’re Expecting It” for more than 3-4 business days, it’s worth contacting the retailer. At this point, there’s either a delay on their end or something’s gone wrong with the initial handover to Evri.
Remember, at this stage it’s the retailer who has your parcel – not Evri – so they’re the ones who can actually tell you what’s happening.
What Happens Next After “We’re Expecting It”?
Once your parcel moves beyond the “We’re Expecting It” limbo, the next status you’ll see is “We’ve Got It” – this is confirmation that Evri has physically received your package and it’s entered their network.
From there, your parcel will typically follow this progression:
“We’ve Got It” → “On Its Way” (reaching the local depot) → “Out for Delivery” (with the courier) → “Delivered” (finally in your hands! …maybe)
How long will this whole journey take? If you’ve paid for next-day delivery, expect your parcel to complete this cycle within 24 hours of reaching the “We’ve Got It” stage – assuming everything goes to plan (which with Evri can be a big assumption).
For standard delivery, you’re typically looking at 3-4 business days from the initial “We’re Expecting It” status until it reaches your door. This includes the time spent waiting for the retailer to hand over your parcel plus Evri’s processing and delivery time.
Remember that these timelines can stretch during busy periods, so during peak seasons like Christmas, it’s wise to add an extra day or two to these estimates.
What To Do If Your Parcel Is Stuck on “We’re Expecting It”
If your parcel seems to be permanently “expected” but never arriving, it’s time for action – but directed at the right people.
At this stage, there’s absolutely no point contacting Evri. Why? Because they literally don’t have your parcel yet. Trying to get answers from them about an item they’ve never seen is like asking a mechanic for updates on how your car repair is going before its even arrived at their garage. They can’t help with something they don’t yet have in their possesion.
Instead, go straight to the retailer. They’re the ones still in possession of your goods, and they’re the ones who need to explain the delay. Most retailers have a customer service line or live chat function that can check the status of your order and tell you what’s happening.
When you contact them, be specific: mention that the Evri tracking has been stuck on “We’re Expecting It” since [date], and ask whether the parcel has actually been handed over to the courier yet. If there’s a delay, request an explanation and a new estimated timeline.
You can also ask for a partial refund if you’ve paid for next-day delivery and not received your order within that timeframe.
If the retailer claims they’ve already passed your parcel to Evri, then it’s still on them – not Evri – to follow up and find out what has happened. They are Evri’s customer, not you. As a result, they can get the answers you need and take any action as required.
Sometimes, the retailer might even need to send the item again if it’s got lost the in the system somewhere.
Remember, whilst your patience might be wearing thin, it’s persistence with the retailer that will get you moving forward towards a resolution.
The Bottom Line: “We’re Expecting It” Is Just The Beginning
“We’re Expecting It” simply means your parcel is on Evri’s radar but not actually in their hands yet. Most parcels move beyond this phase within 1-3 days, sometimes even hours for next-day deliveries. During busy periods or weekends, add a day or two to these estimates.
This status isn’t cause for concern – it’s just the digital paperwork phase before your parcel’s physical journey begins. Think of it as your package warming up in the delivery starting blocks, but not yet running the race.
And here’s the one silver lining to this status – if something’s gone wrong at this point, it’s probably not Evri’s fault (yet). This is perhaps the only stage in the Evri delivery journey where you can’t blame them for losing your parcel… because they haven’t even had the chance to lose it. Small victories, right?
