subject: What Is Cod And When Should I Use It When Shipping? [print this page] When all San Francisco delivery services use the term COD, they mean either cash on delivery or collect on delivery. Essentially, each definition is the same except that one specifies the kind of payment. In a COD situation, a product is being delivered to a customer who has not yet paid for the product. Payment is made at the time of the delivery and collected by the delivery person.
COD as a method of paying for goods being delivered is quickly fading from popularity. As it becomes easier to pay for things online with credit cards, debit cards, or online systems like PayPal, there is little need for COD as an option. Very few people use cash for purchases anymore. And, if you are going to have something delivered, it is much easier to just pay for it online, or use a service that bills you later for the product you have ordered.
One business that still operates a lot on a COD basis is pizza delivery. Even these companies, however, have made it increasingly simple to order your food and pay for it online. You can go to their websites, design your pizza, and enter payment all at the same time without having to make a phone call. You can even enter you credit, debit, or PayPal information on the site to pay for your meal. If you wish, you can pay by cash or check when the delivery person arrives at your home with your pizza.
COD used to be a convenience that delivery companies offered to their customers. For a fee, the delivery company would collect payment for the package when they delivered it. This method of delivery required someone to be present to accept the package. If there was no one to accept delivery, then a redelivery would be attempted before the product would be sent back.
New technologies have rendered COD delivery virtually obsolete. However, some businesses still require this as an option. Therefore, many companies still perform this service for a fee. The courier business is highly competitive, so any edge that one company can gain over another is extremely important. Offering COD can be one of those options that can differentiate one company form another. If you specifically need a San Francisco delivery services to provide you with a COD service, then you should inquire about the availability of that option at the onset of entering into an agreement.
