Late Delivery Apology: How to Respond to Angry Customers
When a package arrives late—especially for time-sensitive occasions like birthdays—customers are understandably furious. This guide shows you how to acknowledge the mistake, address their anger, and offer appropriate compensation.
Example Customer Complaint
Subject: Where is my order?!
Hi,
I ordered a birthday gift for my daughter THREE WEEKS AGO (Order #98234)
and it still hasn't arrived. Her birthday was yesterday and I had nothing
to give her. Your website said 5-7 day delivery.
This is completely unacceptable. I've sent two emails already with no
response. I want to know where my package is RIGHT NOW and I expect
compensation for this disaster.
Furious,
Michael
Casee.io Analysis: Automatic Case Classification
When you paste Michael's message into Casee.io, the AI instantly analyzes and categorizes the case:
📋 Case Summary:
- Regarding: Order delivery delay and lack of response
- Priority: High
- Categories: Late Delivery, No Response, Order Issue
Key Issues Identified
Casee.io breaks down the complaint into 3 specific issues that need addressing:
Issue 1: Late Delivery (Missed Birthday)
Customer's concern:
"I ordered a birthday gift for my daughter THREE WEEKS AGO (Order #98234) and it still hasn't arrived. Her birthday was yesterday and I had nothing to give her. Your website said 5-7 day delivery."
Suggested response:
I understand you ordered Order #98234 three weeks ago for your daughter's birthday, and it has still not arrived despite the website stating a 5-7 day delivery time. I can see how disappointing and frustrating this must be, especially as the gift arrived after her birthday.
I will immediately investigate the status of your order and find out why it has been delayed. I will also look into the discrepancy between the promised delivery time and the actual delivery time.
Issue 2: Lack of Response to Previous Emails
Customer's concern:
"I've sent two emails already with no response."
Suggested response:
I sincerely apologize that your previous two emails have not received a response. It is never our intention to leave customers feeling ignored, and I understand how concerning this must have been on top of the delivery issue.
I am reviewing our records to understand why your messages were not addressed and will ensure this does not happen again. Your concerns are important to us, and we regret that we failed to communicate effectively.
Issue 3: Compensation Request
Customer's concern:
"I want to know where my package is RIGHT NOW and I expect compensation for this disaster."
Suggested response:
I understand you are seeking immediate information about your package's whereabouts and are requesting compensation due to this experience. I will prioritize locating your order and will be in touch with an update as soon as possible. Once we have a clear understanding of the situation and the cause of the delay, we can discuss appropriate compensation for the inconvenience and distress caused.
Complete Email Response
Casee.io also generates opening and closing paragraphs to frame your response:
Opening (AI-Generated):
Hello Michael,
I am so sorry to hear about the issues you've experienced with your
recent order (Order #98234) and the distress this has caused. It's
completely understandable that you're upset, especially with your
daughter's birthday passing without her gift.
We acknowledge your frustration regarding the delayed delivery and the
lack of response to your previous inquiries. Please accept our sincerest
apologies for the inconvenience and disappointment this situation has
caused.
Body (Combine Issue Responses):
You can now copy and paste each suggested response, editing as needed to add specific tracking information and compensation details.
Closing (AI-Generated):
We are committed to resolving this for you as quickly as possible and
regaining your trust. Thank you for your patience and understanding as
we work through this.
Why This Approach Works
✅ Acknowledges the emotional impact - Recognizes the missed birthday, not just the delay
✅ Takes responsibility - No excuses, just acknowledgment and action
✅ Addresses communication failure - Apologizes for unanswered emails separately
✅ Commits to investigation - Shows you're taking it seriously
✅ Opens door for compensation - Without making specific promises you can't keep
How to Use Casee.io for Shipping Delays
- Paste the customer's message into Casee.io
- Review the analysis - Check priority and emotional tone
- Copy suggested responses - Use the itemized responses for each concern
- Add specific details - Tracking numbers, compensation offers, expedited shipping
- Send immediately - Angry customers need fast responses
Try It Yourself
Want to handle angry customers faster without escalating the situation? Try Casee.io free →
Paste your customer message and get instant analysis with empathetic, professional response suggestions.