How does C.O.D work?

I'm just wondering if you purchase something C.O.D (cash on delivery) method, are you supposed to write a check or money order out first and then the company delivers a product or is the company supposed to deliver the products first and then you pay when it's delivered? Thanks in advance.

It worked well in the 1950s and 1960s. No longer a viable

The U.S. Naval Institute Press still sends books c.o.d. but actually they are sent with an invoice to be paid when received.

Also Mont Blanc sends things COD

the UPS man asks you for payment when he delivers it.

i meant to add it's cash on delivery, so you give them cash.

I can do oneupsmanship here. My wedding ring was redone with additional stones and sent COD.

You totally win!

Diamonds and gold vanquish mere pens!

(And actually now that I think about it, Filofax repaired my Filofax and sent me a bill. But diamonds and gold still beat calfskin!)

COD is most typically 'collect on delivery,' where they the carrier hands the consignee a box and the consignee hands over payment tot he carrier.

Depending on the specifics, it may not have to be cash.

Some canadian sites that deliver by Canada Post will have a surcharge of about $6.00 for COD.

In the USA, the USPS charges a fee varying from $4.50 to $14.50 based on the amount they have to collect.

When they do COD, there's a lot of work involved (have to get data from the sender, have to get money from the consignee, have to send the money back to the sender).