Every online merchant knows the feeling. You spent time packaging an order, you paid the dispatch rider, and you eagerly awaited the "delivered" notification. Instead, you get a call from the rider: "Oga, the customer is not picking calls," or worse, "Madam, she said she travelled and doesn't need it anymore."
Just like that, you have lost the delivery fee, you have lost the return fee, and your inventory is tied up in traffic.
"Pay on Delivery" (PoD) was originally designed to fix the trust deficit in Nigeria’s online market. Buyers were afraid of being scammed, so they insisted on seeing the goods first. But today, the burden has shifted to the seller, who often faces "unserious buyers" and wasted logistics costs.
If you are tired of burning money on rejected orders, here is a practical guide on how to handle—and prevent—PoD heartbreaks, and why a neutral middleman might be the ultimate solution.
1. The "Confirmation Call" Protocol
Never dispatch an item based on a text or DM alone. The moment an order comes in for PoD, pick up the phone.
Verify Availability: Ask specifically, "Will you be available at this address tomorrow between 9 AM and 12 PM to receive this item?"
Verify Cash: If they are paying cash, remind them to have the exact change or transfer ready.
The Vibe Check: If they sound hesitant, confused about what they ordered, or say "just bring it, if I am not around drop it with my gateman," proceed with caution. The gateman rarely has the cash.
2. The "Delivery Fee First" Strategy
This is a controversial but effective filter. You can agree to accept payment for the item on delivery, but insist that the delivery fee be paid upfront.
Why it works: A customer who is unwilling to risk N2,000 for delivery is likely not serious about buying a N50,000 item.
The pushback: Some buyers will refuse. However, losing a suspicious customer is better than losing money on a failed delivery.
3. Blacklisting and Data Sharing
If a customer burns you, don't just take the loss—take note. Keep a database of "failed delivery" numbers. Many merchant communities in Nigeria now share "Blacklists" of serial refusers. Before shipping a high-value item, run the number through your community contacts to see if they have a history of rejecting orders.
4. The Best Solution: Use a Neutral Middleman (Escrow)
The root cause of PoD is a lack of trust. The buyer doesn't trust you to deliver, so they hold the money. You don't trust them to pay, so you hesitate to ship.
This is where Marketplace.ng solves the problem neutrally.
Marketplace.ng operates on an Escrow System. This is the modern alternative to the messy "Pay on Delivery" model.
How it works: The buyer pays for the item before you ship, but the money does not go to you yet. It goes to Marketplace.ng’s secure vault.
The Safety Net: You (the merchant) see that the money is secured, so you ship with confidence knowing the buyer is serious.
The Release: Once the buyer receives the item and confirms it is exactly what they ordered, Marketplace.ng releases the money to your wallet.
Why this fixes the "Rejection" Issue:
Commitment: A buyer who has already transferred money to an escrow vault is 100% committed. They won't "forget" to pick up their phone.
Trust: The buyer is willing to pay because they know if you send a fake product (or send nothing), Marketplace.ng will refund them.
Conclusion
You are in business to make a profit, not to subsidize logistics companies with failed deliveries. While you can try calling customers and begging for commitment fees, the most professional way to scale is to move your transactions to a platform that enforces trust automatically.
By listing your products on Marketplace.ng, you filter out the window shoppers and connect only with serious buyers who are ready to pay.
Stop gambling with your delivery fees. Start selling securely.
