The cash on delivery option with a new twist
It’s all about the cash. Or, once upon a time, it was all about the cash. In fact, if we take a spin on the way back machine, the days of cash only, are not too far gone. Couriers running delivery before there were delivery apps, remember the cash days well. It was not uncommon for every delivery to be a cash delivery. If the courier ran twenty to thirty deliveries in a shift it meant a large sum of cash by the end of the night.
With this in mind, pretty much everyone knew couriers carried cash. Sometimes a hefty amount of cash. Back then it was the job. It was normal. So were the chances of getting robbed. Therefore, since most of the cash belonged to the merchant, methods became available to help protect the dough. For example, lock boxes. Those were small compartments similar to P.O. boxes at the local post master. Each one had a unique key. The courier kept the key, and on every delivery, deposited the collected cash, in the little box.
This solved a couple of problems. The first was the risk to the courier. There’s a risk to carrying large amounts of cash around. Especially if it is not a secret. The second was the risk of losing money. That’s the actual fall out of the pocket losing of money. And it happened. The consequences were on the courier. There were other details to manage, but the overall point, is the handling of cash. It changes things.
The Cash On Delivery Option
In today’s world cash is rare. With regard to delivery. It is uncommon to see cash. In fact, if a courier uses a delivery app, the cash delivery isn’t readily available. Apps like Door dash have a process for accepting and completing cash deliveries, but the courier must opt-in for this option. Additionally, the courier collects the entire cost of the order. Plus anything added after the fact. That’s the basic cash on delivery.
So, how does the merchant get paid for the food, or product, if the delivery app customer is paying the courier for the food or product, in cash? Does the courier drive the cash back to the merchant after the delivery? The good news is the courier does not drive the cash back to the merchant. The courier pockets the dough. Delivery complete. On to the next. The cash on delivery option is about convenience.
At this point it might seem like the cash delivery is really strange. How does the merchant get paid? The courier has the money and is now three counties over. The dough is not coming back. Furthermore, it will not be on the evening news. Nor in any news feed. And the courier gets a very good rating. It all comes down to the app and the courier now. Because the merchant already collected their cash.
A New Twist
The merchant collected the cash in the beginning. Therefore, it isn’t really the merchant fronting the goods. The cash on delivery option works because of a trust agreement between the courier and the app. The courier has most likely built up time with the app. The courier with a cash on delivery option, means the courier will most likely continue working delivery offers for the app. In other words, the app knows the courier is reliable. Therefore, the courier will repay the money.
Repaying the money happens over the course of the next few deliveries. For example, the courier accepts an offer from the queue. The guaranteed payout is nine dollars. Once the courier completes the delivery the payout goes to the balance owed from the cash delivery. Similarly each successive payout does the same. Until the balance of the cash the courier collected is paid.
Depending on the amount of the cash on delivery, the courier can quickly clear the balance with just a few deliveries. Furthermore, cash on delivery offers are rare. Therefore the courier has time to clear one before more pop up. That is if the courier wants to accept the delivery. The cash delivery isn’t for everyone. Indeed, many couriers have concerns about accepting cash deliveries. It’s really up to the courier, whether or not it’s worth it. Some couriers do well with cash offers. Others will not accept them. Stay safe out there.
Like, share and follow the anonymous courier on X at @Theanonymousc1. Like and follow here for the Facebook page The Anonymous Courier on FB. Also find The anonymous courier on Pinterest.
Click on the Subscribe link to receive updates on new posts, updated posts and new features. Join today.
Comment here