1. Catch bad addresses before booking
Missing landmarks, wrong pincodes and unreachable phone numbers cause a large share of failed deliveries. Check that the pincode matches the city, the phone number has ten digits, and the address has a house number before the parcel is booked.
2. Act on every NDR the same day
A failed delivery attempt is your warning. Call or message the customer, confirm they want the parcel, fix the address or phone number, and request a reattempt. NDRs left for two or three days usually turn into RTO.
3. Choose the courier per pincode
Couriers that are excellent in metros can be weak in certain districts. With multi-courier booking you can send each parcel with the courier that delivers well on that lane, not the same one for everything.
4. Manage COD risk
- Confirm high-value COD orders with the customer before shipping
- Offer a small discount for prepaid payment
- Watch for repeat refusals from the same phone number or address
5. Share tracking with the buyer
Buyers who get a tracking link and an out-for-delivery message are far more likely to be home and to answer the delivery call. A branded tracking page also reminds them who they ordered from.
Frequently asked questions
Who pays for RTO?
Usually the seller, at the rate agreed with their courier or aggregator. Clear RTO charges in your pricing avoid disputes later.