The “COD Culture” is Killing Indian Manufacturing: Why Saporigo is Taking a Stand
In the last few years, a dangerous narrative has taken root in Indian e-commerce: “Cash on Delivery (COD) is a customer’s right.”
Large marketplaces have fed this culture, turning online shopping into a game of window shopping where orders are placed without intent and refused at the doorstep. As a brand that manufactures, calibrates, and ships heavy-duty equipment, we see the other side of this “convenience”—the devastating cost of RTO (Return to Origin).
The Brutal Math of COD
Did you know that in the Indian market, nearly 30% to 40% of all COD shipments end up as RTOs? When a customer refuses a delivery, it doesn’t just mean a “canceled order.” It means:
- The product was meticulously packed and shipped.
- The logistics partner moved it across the country, consuming fuel and labor.
- The product returns to our facility, often damaged, and is frequently rendered unsellable.
While giant platforms might absorb these losses as a “cost of growth” through their massive commissions, we cannot. We are a manufacturing startup. Every unnecessary RTO is a waste of raw materials, shipping resources, and man-hours that should have been used to build better products for you.
Why We Charge an Upfront COD Fee
We’ve had customers argue: “Why do you charge an upfront fee for COD?”
The answer is simple: Intent. We are shipping premium gym gear and smart stationery. An upfront convenience fee (which is strictly non-refundable) is our way of filtering out “casual window shoppers” from “serious buyers.”
If you are not willing to pay a small convenience fee to ensure your order is handled with priority, you are likely not a serious customer for a premium brand like ours. We prefer to ship to someone who has skin in the game.
Our Policy is Non-Negotiable
We are not a marketplace. We are a direct-to-consumer brand. Our policy is clear:
1. COD Convenience Fee: Non-refundable. No exceptions. This fee covers the initial processing cost and ensures commitment.
2. Doorstep Commitment: If the order is refused at the doorstep, the fee is forfeited to cover the logistics loss we have already incurred. The “Raja” mindset of refusing a delivery just because “I changed my mind” doesn’t work here.
3. Prepaid Priority: We encourage prepaid orders. It’s faster, safer, and shows a mutual level of trust between the maker and the user.
To the “Raja” Mindset: Thank You, But No.
If you believe that placing a COD order gives you the right to treat a shipment like a toy—to refuse it at the door without reason, or to demand we eat the cost of your indecision—we respectfully ask you to shop elsewhere. There are platforms that thrive on your indecisiveness. Saporigo is not one of them.
We are here for the 90% of our community who value the craft, respect the logistics, and understand that prepaid is the new standard of a serious buyer.
Shop Smart. Shop Prepaid. Shop Serious.