7 practical ways to reduce fake orders and returns in f-commerce

For cash-on-delivery businesses, the return rate is often the difference between profit and loss. A returned parcel means you paid the courier twice, spent on packaging and kept stock out of circulation for a week.

1. Check the phone number's history before confirming

Repeat offenders are common. In ekomeye, typing the phone number in a new order instantly shows how many past orders that customer delivered, returned or cancelled. Two or more returns? Ask for an advance.

2. Take a small advance for risky orders

Even the delivery charge paid in advance (by bKash or Nagad) filters out most non-serious buyers. Record it in the "Advance paid" field so the courier only collects the balance.

3. Make a confirmation call within one hour

Interest fades fast. Moderators should call or message every pending order the same day. Use quick replies so the message is consistent.

4. Write the full address, not "near the mosque"

Incomplete addresses are a top cause of failed delivery. Ask for area, road, house and a landmark.

5. Track return rate by moderator and channel

Sometimes the problem is one ad set or one moderator who confirms without checking. The Moderator performance report shows delivery rate per person.

6. Block known fraud numbers

Mark a customer as blocked and every future order from that phone shows a red warning.

7. Refresh courier status daily

Catching a "hold" status early lets you call the customer before the parcel comes back.

Bottom line: a 5% drop in return rate can add more profit than a 20% increase in ad spend.