Shipping & Lead Times
AK Athletics Customer Resources
Shipping & Lead Times
Understand production timing, shipping methods, freight delivery, receiving requirements, damage reporting and pickup information for your AK Athletics order.
Understanding your timeline
Production and delivery happen in separate stages
Your estimated order timeline includes production, shipment preparation and carrier transit. Product-page lead times describe production only, not the time a carrier needs to deliver the finished order.
Production Lead Time
Review the current estimate shown on the product page. Timing varies by product and may change with material availability or production volume.
Shipment Preparation
After production is complete, most finished orders are prepared and scheduled to ship within one to two business days.
Carrier Transit
Transit within the 48 contiguous United States is typically estimated at 1 to 7 business days after the order leaves our facility.
Shipping and order support
Find the information that matches your question
Jump directly to the section you need for production timing, parcel delivery, freight receiving, damage reporting or customer pickup.
Timing
Production Lead Times
Understand how product-page estimates, shipment preparation and carrier transit contribute to the overall order timeline.
Lead-time information →Delivery Method
Parcel Shipping
Review standard parcel shipping, tracking and typical contiguous U.S. transit information.
Parcel shipping →Delivery Method
Freight Delivery
Understand curbside delivery, carrier scheduling, oversized pallets, unloading access and possible additional charges.
Freight delivery →Receiving
Freight Receiving
Prepare staff, inspect the shipment before signing and document visible or concealed damage correctly.
Receiving steps →Claims
Damage & Product Concerns
See the 3-day, 14-day and 30-day reporting windows for freight, parcel and product concerns.
Reporting deadlines →Customer Pickup
Pickup Orders
Review the pickup window, storage fees, loading responsibilities and abandoned-order timeline.
Pickup information →How your order ships
Shipping methods, tracking and service area
AK Athletics selects the shipping method based on the size, weight and quantity of the order. Customers must provide accurate delivery details, respond to carrier communications, and arrange to receive or unload their shipments. For customer-caused delivery failures, return shipping and related carrier charges apply: standard website products are automatically processed for return once received and inspected, with refunds reduced by a 25% restocking fee and shipping-related costs; custom-manufactured products remain non-returnable and non-refundable, and reshipment requires payment of additional shipping and carrier charges. View or download the full policy (PDF).
Smaller orders ship by standard parcel carrier
Orders that qualify for parcel delivery ship through FedEx Ground or USPS. Tracking information is emailed when the order leaves our Columbus facility.
Shipping Origin
Columbus, Ohio
All AK Athletics orders ship from Columbus, Ohio. Transit within the 48 contiguous United States typically takes 1 to 7 business days after production is complete.
Oversized Orders
Freight Shipping
Large, heavy or oversized orders ship by freight carrier. Freight tracking and carrier details are sent separately, and the carrier contacts the customer before delivery.
Plan for delivery before the truck arrives
Freight shipments require someone to receive the order and may require unloading equipment or additional manpower depending on the shipment.
Carrier Scheduling
The freight carrier will call at least 24 hours before delivery to confirm that someone is available to receive and sign for the shipment.
Delivery Location
Freight delivery is curbside. Customers are responsible for moving products from the delivery point to their final location.
Oversized Pallets
Liftgate service is scheduled whenever possible, but oversized pallets may exceed liftgate size or weight capacity. Be prepared with sufficient manpower or unloading equipment.
Additional Services
Extra services such as inside delivery or special equipment cost $150 per service and must be requested and approved by AK Athletics in advance.
Standard Unloading Time
Drivers allow 15 minutes for unloading. Additional time may result in detention fees of approximately $25 to $150 per hour. Note the driver’s arrival and departure times on your copy of the paperwork.
Terminal Storage Window
Once freight reaches the local terminal, delivery must be scheduled within 3 business days. Carrier storage fees may range from $63 to $210 per day after that period.
Before signing for freight
Inspect and document the shipment
The person signing the delivery receipt represents the customer. Inspecting and documenting the shipment at delivery helps preserve the information needed to review missing or damaged items.
View Complete Freight Policy
Do not sign before inspecting.
The person who signs the delivery receipt acts as the customer's representative. Recovery for damaged or missing items may be limited when problems are not documented at delivery.
Reporting deadlines
Report delivery or product concerns promptly
Include your order number and clear photos of the product and packaging when reporting an issue.
Concealed Freight Damage
Report freight damage that was not visible at delivery within three days of receipt.
Parcel Shipping Damage
Report FedEx Ground or USPS shipping damage within 14 days of receipt.
Incorrect or Defective Items
Report products that are incorrect, defective or do not match the order specifications within 30 days.
Know the pickup window before your order is ready
Pickup orders have their own timing and storage requirements. Returns, cancellations and warranty coverage remain governed by the complete Company Policies.
Pickup Window
Orders must be collected within 7 calendar days of the Ready for Pickup email. Customers should schedule pickup and arrive with a suitable vehicle and any straps or tie-downs needed for safe transport.
Review Pickup PolicyPickup Storage Fees
A $25 per day storage fee begins on day 8 and accrues daily, including weekends. Orders not collected within 21 calendar days will be considered abandoned.
Review Storage TermsReturns, Cancellations & Warranty
Return eligibility, cancellation timing and the one-year limited warranty vary by product and circumstance. Review the complete policy before using, altering or returning a product.
Review Complete PoliciesNeed help with an order?
Contact AK Athletics customer service
Our team can help with production timing, shipping methods, freight delivery, unloading requirements, damage reporting and pickup questions.