How to reduce COD returns on Shopify

Cash on delivery sells well in many markets, but every refused parcel costs you twice: the shipping out and the shipping back. Here is what actually helps.

1. Confirm every order before you ship

A short WhatsApp or SMS message asking the buyer to confirm filters out accidental, joke and fake orders. Orders that never get confirmed do not get shipped, so they never come back.

2. Check the address and phone number

A large share of failed deliveries come from incomplete addresses or numbers that do not work. Ask the customer to confirm the address during the same message.

3. Flag risky orders for a person

Very large orders, brand-new customers and orders from areas with high return rates can go to your team for a quick look instead of straight to the courier.

4. Track returns by area and product

Look at where returns cluster. Some products and some areas return far more often, and you can add extra checks there.

5. Make confirming easy

Use buttons, not typed replies, and write in the customer's language. The easier it is to answer, the more people do.