Sending something COD

[HausofAriella]

I just had an order for cake toppers from someone in Canada. I messaged her to make sure that the 2-3 week production time plus shipping time to Canada would be okay. She said her wedding is June 30, so the production time is okay, but that it will take a month to get to Canada if I send it USPS, so she wants me to send it FedEx COD. I've never done this before, so I'm not entirely sure what it entails. Has anyone else shipped COD before?

[Former_Member]

I have never done that but it would make me nervous. I only accept full payment up front for a custom order. What if you go through all that and she refuses the package? Huge risk. If FedEx is faster, maybe there is another way to send it Fedex rather than COD - if it's more expensive add it to your shipping costs & explain that this is what it will cost for rush shipping.

[MyDistinctDesigns]

I would be uncomfortable with COD as well. Besides the special order pieces you have the cost of shipping upfront. So you could be out quite a bit of money. FedEx used to charge 10.00 additional for COD. That would also hold up your money until FedEx gets it back to you which could be a couple of weeks.

Just one question, does it really take a month to get something to Canada??

[HausofAriella]

She's already paid for the toppers; it's just the shipping she wants to do COD. I didn't know that was an option really, so maybe she's mistaken or thinking of something else.

[Former_Member]

I'm not sure you can even do that for her. I just did a little poking around the U.S. FedEx website. I found this regarding C.O.D.

"Also, C.O.D. service is not available to and from Puerto Rico or other international locations."

http://www.fedex.com/us/service-guide/our-services/options/index.html

It's in the Collect On Delivery section under Exceptions.

[MyDistinctDesigns]

maybe she is thinking about a way to have to sign for it...

[Former_Member]

I'd just ask her to pay up front for the shipping (especially since it's been noted that COD isn't available for international shipping). CODs are too risky these days, and anyone--buyers and sellers alike-- should understand that.

You can't just send them USPS priority mail/overnight/second day? I've done that for Canadian residents, and items don't take a month to get there (usually they get there in about 10 days max with priority--which is too long if she needs it by the 30th, I guess). If she's "willing" to pay extra for rush delivery, I'd go that route and have her pay up front. It's probably less than FedEx rush delivery (international) anyway.

[HausofAriella]

I just looked into it some more and apparently they do do COD for Canada (just not other international locations), but it's going to be quite expensive. I just messaged her and told her the options and the prices, and told her that it would be cheaper and easier (for both of us) if she paid for the shipping beforehand. I also told her that if shipping was going to be too much (it would practically double the price of the Daleks) that I'd be happy to cancel the order and give her a refund. International shipping is ridiculously expensive, especially when you have to go express. Hopefully she'll get back to me soon.

[Former_Member]

No. As a business you have to paid upfront and really I would advice against taking that risk. Regardless of the reasons, you should have payment options that protect you and your customers and stick to those trusted payment methods. I do PayPal, google and amazon only. No exceptions. Apple doesn't let me pay cod so why would my customers expect me to do that?