cash on delivery

Meaning

Cash on delivery (COD) is a transaction type where the recipient pays for goods at the exact time they are delivered. If the buyer does not make the payment, the goods are returned to the seller. Despite the word 'cash', modern COD transactions often accept credit cards or digital payments upon arrival.

Examples

• Many online shoppers prefer cash on delivery because they want to inspect the product before paying.

  Many online shoppers prefer cash on delivery because they want to inspect the product before paying.

• We had to pay cash on delivery for the office furniture because we didn't have an active account with them.

  We had to pay cash on delivery for the office furniture because we didn't have an active account with them.

• The courier company charges an extra fee for processing cash on delivery shipments.

  The courier company charges an extra fee for processing cash on delivery shipments.

• To minimize unpaid orders, the e-commerce store decided to phase out cash on delivery.

  To minimize unpaid orders, the e-commerce store decided to phase out cash on delivery.

• Please make sure someone is at the office with cash or a card, as this shipment is cash on delivery.

  Please make sure someone is at the office with cash or a card, as this shipment is cash on delivery.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ We bought the printer with cash of delivery.

  ✓ We bought the printer with cash on delivery.

  The correct preposition is 'on', indicating that payment happens at the moment of delivery.

• ✗ The driver delivered the goods but we didn't pay cash on the delivery.

  ✓ The driver delivered the goods but we didn't pay cash on delivery.

  Do not use the article 'the' before 'delivery' when using this set business term.

Related Expressions

Practice

• If you do not want to pay online, you can choose ___ at checkout.

  💡 Paying the courier when the package physical arrives.

  Show answer

  cash on delivery

• The seller insisted on ___ because our startup has not established credit history yet.

  💡 Payment made at the exact time of receipt.

  Show answer

  cash on delivery