Online shopping is a part of our daily lives nowadays, especially in India where the e-commerce business is booming. Low price online shopping apps are on the rise all across India. But you always have an important decision to make – do you pay online (prepaid) or go for cash on delivery (COD)? Both have its advantages and disadvantages, but what is actually safer? Let us see!
What is Prepaid Payment?
In prepaid payments, you pay in advance for your order through UPI, net banking, credit/debit cards etc before shipping the product. It’s super convenient and hassle-free. It doesn’t need you to keep cash in hand when the delivery boy comes.
Advantages of Prepaid Payment:
- Contactless Shopping: You don’t need to handle cash or interact with delivery agents.
- Faster Processing: Orders get shipped quicker as payment has been confirmed.
- Pretty Discounts: Most shopping websites in India give special offers and cashback on prepaid orders.
- Easy Refunds: Prepaid order refunds are usually faster as your bank details are already saved.
Safety Issues:
- Online Scams: If you shop from suspicious or fraudulent websites, you stand to lose money.
- Quality Risk of the Product: You pay first before you see the product, which is a risk if you don’t know the seller.
- Refund Delays: Refunds in the event of returns or cancellations might take days, even weeks.
What is Cash on Delivery (COD)?
COD allows you to pay upon delivery via cash, card, or even UPI in certain cases. It’s particularly popular among low price shopping apps and cash on delivery shopping apps in India, providing consumers with peace of mind.
Benefits of COD:
- Try Before You Pay: You can inspect the package before you pay.
- Safer for First-Time Buyers: Not familiar with a shopping site? COD makes it safer to try a new platform.
- No Payment Hassles: No hassle of online payment failure.
Safety Issues:
- Fake Orders: High incidents of fake or declined orders by some sellers who limit COD.
- Handling Cash: In crowded areas, handling cash for deliveries can be unsafe.
- Limited Refund Choices: COD refunds often require extra steps, like providing bank details later.
Which of Them is Safer – COD or Prepaid?
For Reliable Indian Shopping Websites: Prepaid is Safer
On popular, established websites, prepaid payment is usually secure. Such websites have secure payment gateways, buyer protection policies, and easy refunds in the event of problems. Also, you can get special offers and cashback deals on low price shopping app with prepaid payments.
For New or Lesser-Known Sites: COD is Safer
If you are buying from new or unknown low cost online shopping apps, COD provides added security. You pay only when you get the product, so you can’t be cheated by fake sellers. That is why cash on delivery shopping apps are still highly popular in India.
Conclusion
Both prepaid and cash on delivery have their benefits in online shopping. It’s not a matter of which one is always safer, it’s a matter of what will work best for you in each case. When unsure, stick with good shopping sites in India and protect yourself with secure payment options and smart buying practices.