COD unlocks buyers without cards but RTO eats margin. A verification-first COD stack keeps the conversion and halves the returns:
The stack
- COD availability by zone, weight and order value.
- Transparent COD fee with prepaid-nudge discount.
- WhatsApp/SMS confirmation before dispatch.
- Address validation and risky-pincode rules.
- RTO analytics per zone feeding availability rules.
Setup cost
COD hardening from ₹8,000 on existing stores. New stores include it — see bands.
FAQs
What RTO is normal?
12–25% unverified; sub-8% with verification-first flows.
Charge COD fees?
Yes, transparently — with prepaid discounts steering mix.
Fake addresses?
OTP + confirmation + history scoring filter most.