Amazon to compensate customers with $20 gift cards for delayed Christmas presents

Amazon has decided to give 20 dollar gift cards and pay shipping costs to customers who were unable to receive their Christmas gifts on time owing to UPS and FedEx delivery issues.

The online megastore announced the compensation after UPS received flak for late packages despite vows from retailers to meet a 25 December deadline.

According to News24, customers took to social media to express their displeasure over late deliveries, likening the delivery companies to 'Grinch who stole Christmas'.

Amazon spokesperson Mary Osako said that Amazon fulfillment centers processed and tendered customer orders to delivery carriers on time for holiday delivery.

Walmart has also announced gift cards as compensation to customers who did not receive packages by the promised deadline.

Meanwhile, UPS spokesperson Natalie Black said that the problems stemmed from a 'perfect storm' caused by an unexpected jump in Christmas shopping the last two weeks and some severe weather that halted some deliveries.

A FedEx spokesperson also cited a surge in volume, but said that the rise was typical, adding that they were working directly with customers who might have experienced any delays.