Cash on delivery (COD) is still one of the most popular payment methods in Greek ecommerce. Yet many stores are tempted to remove it because some customers never collect their orders. That is the wrong move. Below you will see why, and how to solve the real problem without punishing your good customers.
What cash on delivery means
Cash on delivery means the customer pays for the order at the moment of delivery, to the courier, instead of paying online by card up front. It is, in essence, a payment on trust: the buyer first sees the parcel arrive and then pays.
Why COD builds trust
A large share of Greek consumers still hesitates with online purchases. They worry about being charged without receiving the product, or not being able to return a defective item. For these people, COD is the safety net that convinces them to complete the order.
If you remove COD, you are not only turning away the "bad" customers. You turn away every hesitant buyer who would have ordered normally, losing revenue from people who simply want reassurance.
How many people use cash on delivery in Greece
COD is not a marginal habit. According to the Nexi eCommerce Report Greece 2024, about 1 in 5 Greek online shoppers (21%) pays with cash on delivery. For years it was in fact the No.1 payment method in the country, before cards overtook it.
| Payment method | Use (online shoppers) |
|---|---|
| Debit card | 57% |
| PayPal | 49% |
| Cash on delivery | 21% |
| Credit card | 20% |
| Revolut | 19% |
| Apple / Google Pay | 17% |
| Bank transfer | 6% |
Source: Nexi eCommerce Report Greece 2024. Multiple choice, so the total exceeds 100%.
What you lose by removing COD: you essentially close the door on up to 1 in 5 of your shoppers, plus every hesitant buyer who would only try your store with it. These are not "a few troublemakers", they are a meaningful share of your revenue.
The real problem: orders that are never collected
The cost of a customer who orders with COD and never collects is real and double:
- Double shipping, for the delivery and for the return of the parcel.
- Tied-up stock travelling instead of being sold.
- Wasted time for your team on phone calls, re-stocking and cancellations.
When the same people do this repeatedly, the damage adds up. It is reasonable to want to stop it, but surgically.
The wrong fix: removing COD entirely
A blanket removal is like closing the shop for everyone because a few did not pay. You lose revenue from the majority who genuinely use and honour COD, in order to deter a small minority. The goal is not to cut COD, but to cut it only for specific people.
The right fix: targeted blocking with BlackListed
BlackListed for WooCommerce does exactly that. It keeps COD open for everyone and hides it only from those you have flagged.
- Blocklist by phone, email or IP. At checkout, if the customer's details match your list, the "Cash on delivery" option does not appear. They can still complete with a card.
- Manual customer selection. You decide who goes on the list, based on your own experience, not a blind algorithm that blocks innocent people.
- Automatic detail linking. When someone is blocked, their other details are optionally added too, so they cannot slip through just by changing their email.
- Works everywhere at checkout, both classic and blocks checkout, blocking before the order is even created.
- Entries never expire. A customer leaves the list only when you remove them.
The result: hesitant buyers keep buying with COD and building trust with your store, while repeat no-shows are stopped at the root.
Frequently asked questions
Should I remove cash on delivery from my eshop?
No. You lose up to 1 in 5 shoppers. It is better to keep it for everyone and switch it off only for those who never collect.
How do I block only specific customers?
With BlackListed you add a phone, email or IP to the blocklist. COD disappears at checkout only for them, while it stays available for everyone else.
Will my good customers be affected?
No. For anyone not on the list, COD is available as always.
Conclusion
COD is not the problem, it is a sales tool. The problem is the few who abuse it. With BlackListed you keep the benefits of COD for the right customers and cut only the cost from the wrong ones.
