Cut COD RTO This BFCM: Address Validation, Reminders & Courier Rules That Work

Cut COD RTO This BFCM: Address Validation, Reminders & Courier Rules That Work

Why COD RTO Spikes During BFCM


Cash on Delivery (COD) orders surge during BFCM, but so do failed deliveries. Three issues dominate:

  • Bad addresses → incomplete or invalid formats make orders undeliverable.

  • Unconfirmed intent → shoppers not ready with cash or unreachable.

  • Slow NDR handling → missed reattempt windows become automatic returns.


Fixing these before November peak is the highest-ROI COD prep for Shopify stores.


1. Validate Addresses Before Checkout Completes


Undeliverable addresses are the #1 preventable driver of COD RTO.


Implementation tips:

  • Use Google Autocomplete at checkout.

  • Run server-side validation (normalize, detect missing fields).

  • Require phone number with country code for all COD orders.

  • Maintain a pincode whitelist/blacklist by courier coverage.

  • Prompt for landmark/building name when confidence is low.

Why now: courier teams get overloaded during BFCM; if your addresses aren’t clean, your packages are deprioritized.


Dropshippers → require phone + landmark upfront, since suppliers won’t resolve NDRs.

DTC brands → sync validated addresses into OMS/WMS for reattempts.


 

Set Up COD Checkout Correctly


2. Confirm Orders Before the Doorstep


RTO often isn’t fraud; it’s missed timing. Shoppers forget, aren’t home, or don’t have cash.


High-impact flow:

  • Immediately after order: WhatsApp confirmation + SMS fallback.

  • Day before delivery: reminder with reschedule option.

  • Delivery day morning: COD amount + “Cash ready?” quick reply.

  • If NDR: reason-specific follow-ups within 24h.


Proof: Indian brands saw RTO drop by ~8% and first-attempt delivery improve by 7–10 points after adding WhatsApp confirmations and reminders.


Dropshippers → hold COD orders until confirmation.

Brands → add bilingual reminders and slot selection.


 

See How Messaging Drives Action


 




 

Or Watch COD WhatsApp Confirmations in Action on YouTube

 


3. Treat NDR Like a Same-Day SLA


Non-Delivery Reports (NDRs) are time-sensitive. Delay = RTO.


Action plan:

  • Assign regional NDR owners (hourly queue checks).

  • Branch by reason:
    • Wrong address → call/WhatsApp → update → reattempt.
    • Customer unavailable → offer 2 slots → reschedule.
    • Cash not ready → reschedule next day.
    • Refused → return or offer prepaid incentive.
  • Respect courier limits: e.g., Delhivery allows up to 3 reattempts if you act quickly.

  • Keep logs of confirmations + call notes in order records.


4. Regional Playbooks to Apply Before November


COD behavior changes by region.

  • India → validate pincodes & sub-localities, WhatsApp confirmations mandatory.

  • MENA → building name & bilingual templates essential.

  • LATAM → capture neighborhood field, WhatsApp for reschedules.

  • S./E. Europe → combine SMS + WhatsApp, validate postal codes for cross-border.


 

Explore Regional COD Best Practices


5. Metrics to Track During BFCM Week


Must-watch KPIs:

  • COD RTO rate (%)

  • First Attempt Delivery Rate (FADR)

  • Median NDR resolution time

  • % addresses corrected post-submit

  • % COD orders confirmed pre-ship


Directional targets:

  • FADR +7–10 points with WhatsApp flows.

  • NDR handled in <6h.

  • COD confirmation >70%.


Where Releasit Fits


Releasit apps remove the friction:

  • Checkout → enforce phone + address validation.

  • Messaging → WhatsApp/SMS confirmations + reminders.

  • Automation → order holds until confirmed, NDR tagging, OMS/WMS sync.

Ready to cut COD RTO this BFCM?


 

Install Releasit COD Apps for Shopify



Related Reading