cash on delivery

American  

noun

1. C.O.D.

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cash on delivery British  

noun

1.  COD.  a service entailing cash payment to the carrier on delivery of merchandise

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Usage

What does cash on delivery mean? Cash on delivery refers to an arrangement in which payment for a purchase is made directly by the purchaser to the person who delivers the item.It is commonly abbreviated as C.O.D., which can also stand for collect on delivery. Cash on delivery and C.O.D. don’t necessarily always mean that actual cash (paper money) is required (though it often used to mean this). Sometimes, a check, money order, or credit card payment will be accepted for a cash on delivery order.Cash on delivery can be used as an adverb, as in We’re shipping it cash on delivery; as an adjective, as in Our cash on delivery orders are behind schedule; and in other variations. The abbreviation C.O.D. can be used as a noun, as in Sorry, we don’t accept C.O.D.s. Example: Most of our shipments are cash on delivery, and we have a high percentage of successful payments.

Etymology

Origin of cash on delivery

First recorded in 1850–55

Example Sentences

The snow was not, and material support to sustain the troops could only be had for cash on delivery.

From Salon

But smaller vendors without deep cash reserves moved to a “cash on delivery” model almost immediately, Suzanne Perry says.

From Washington Post

Many Senegalese people do not have credit cards, so some couriers like Mr. Sine will buy products for their customers, and accept cash on delivery as repayment.

From New York Times

Its rent obligations jumped by $12 million while sales plummeted and vendors started refusing to ship inventory unless they were paid cash on delivery, according to the retailer’s bankruptcy documents.

From New York Times

According to Barneys’ court filings, merchandise shipments began to slow over the summer, with many vendors refusing to send their inventory unless they got cash on delivery.

From Reuters