pay on delivery

USAGE SUMMARY

"pay on delivery" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means that payment should be made when the item or service is received. Example: "Please note that all orders must be paid on delivery, either in cash or by credit card."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

So he began asking customers to pay on delivery.

The New York Times

In November, Jumia e-commerce competitor Konga slashed 60percentt of its workforce and ended its pay on delivery service, reportedly to cut costs.

TechCrunch

It's also built out a very comprehensive logistics network in the country that also let people pay on delivery for goods they tried only when they were brought to their homes — crucial to its growth in a market with patchy incumbent delivery services and low credit card penetration.

TechCrunch

"The new tracks were recorded for about a minute and there was a voice counting so you could write down the tracks you liked and then call or send a fax with the track numbers and the date of the cassette, and they'd send you the records and you'd pay on delivery, which was amazing".

Vice

You'll have to pay on delivery after the concrete's unloaded.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Department stores offered cash advances, and smaller boutiques paid on delivery.

The New York Times - Style

Students can upload art and music portfolios and scan in qualifications, and students are only paid on delivery.

Independent

When he took the helm, 80percentt of vendors were asking to be paid on delivery of goods, he says, and today less than 8percentt do -- and those are mostly small suppliers who cannot afford to do otherwise.

The New York Times

As for foreign orders, they are paid on delivery with no existence of debts as in domestic orders.

The Journal of Chinese Sociology

They were paid on delivery and successful verification of questionnaires, rather than on a monthly basis, removing the incentive of monetary gain by deliberately prolonging the data collection phase.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

So Jumia offers a pay-on-delivery service: "It was the only way," says Mr Hodara.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "pay on delivery", clearly specify the accepted payment methods (e.g., cash, card) to avoid confusion.

Common error

Don't assume that "pay on delivery" always means immediate payment. Clarify if there's a grace period or if alternative payment arrangements are possible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pay on delivery" functions as a direction or instruction specifying the timing of payment in a transaction. As Ludwig AI states, it indicates that payment should occur upon the item or service being delivered. It is commonly used in commercial and transactional contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "pay on delivery" is a common and grammatically correct phrase that clearly specifies when payment is due for goods or services. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, it means that payment is expected upon delivery. Though not extremely frequent, it is still commonly used across various contexts, particularly in news media, e-commerce, and practical guides. While "cash on delivery" is a close synonym, "pay on delivery" can encompass various payment methods beyond just cash. For clarity, specify the accepted payment methods when using the phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cash on delivery

Replaces "pay" with "cash", emphasizing the payment method.

collect on delivery

Focuses on the action of collecting payment upon delivery.

payment upon receipt

Highlights the timing of payment in relation to receiving the goods.

pay when received

Emphasizes the condition of payment being tied to the act of receiving.

payment on arrival

Indicates that payment is made when the goods arrive.

cash upon arrival

Combines "cash" with "arrival" for a specific payment method.

pay on acceptance

Payment made once the goods or services are accepted.

deferred payment upon delivery

Payment is not immediate but deferred to a later date after delivery.

payment at the time of delivery

Specifies the exact moment when payment is expected.

pay after service

Indicates payment after a service has been performed, similar to paying after receiving goods.

FAQs

What does "pay on delivery" mean?

"Pay on delivery" means that payment for goods or services is made at the time they are delivered to the customer.

Is "pay on delivery" the same as "cash on delivery"?

While often used interchangeably, "cash on delivery" specifically implies payment must be made in cash, whereas "pay on delivery" may include other payment methods like card.

What are some advantages of using "pay on delivery"?

"Pay on delivery" can increase customer trust, especially in markets where online payment security is a concern. It also allows customers to inspect goods before payment.

Are there any disadvantages to offering "pay on delivery"?

Yes, it can increase logistical costs, as it requires handling cash and managing potential returns or rejections at the point of delivery.