DOMESTIC REVOLUTION WROUGHT BY C.O.D.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17878, 21 June 1926, Page 5

DOMESTIC REVOLUTION WROUGHT BY C.O.D.

ORDERED GOODS COME BY POST TO THE HOUSE. (Special to the “ Star.”) LONDON, May 1. What women characterise as 44 little short of domestic revolution ” has been inaugurated by the adoption here of what is known as the “ cash on delivery ” system. There are traders who view the departure with misgiving. They- anticipate that many inhabitants of the town or district they’ serve will be tempted to buy’ at the big shops or stores which, in London and provincial cities and towns, advertise their goods extensively, and that, consequently, they will suffer less of custom. It will be for the local traders to meet, the opposition .by rendqflng their .shops increasingly attractive,'and by’ competing in quality’ and in price with their big competitors. The firms which the scheme. witt. undoubtedly .benefit will, be those Avhov&ave softie % thing distinctive to ..sell.. They, wjll, advertise .' andi saved the trouble of sending a cheque or obtaining and despatching a postal order, many persons—ladies particularly—will order, realising that all they will need to do is to pay the postman when he delivers the article or articles at,the door, or, in certain cases, at the post office. t How C.O.D. Works. The ordered goods will be despatched by the trader by parcel post. If the value of the goods and the postal and delivery charges are £5 or below, the customer will pay the postman. If the value is between £5 and £4O he will pay at the post office indicated to him by ’, the postal authorities, and will collect his parcel there. Pay’ments by’ cheque will, not be allowed. The purchaser will not’be allowed to open a parcel till he has paid for it. An addressee will be able to change his mind about an order he has given, and if he does not want the goods when • the postman delivers them he may refuse clelivery. The goods will them be returned to the consigner. In the event of an addressee being temporarily absent when the postman calls to deliver a parcel, there will be left a slip .stating the name and address of the consignor and the amounts to be paid. The parcel will be taken for delivery a second time, and after that the addressee will have to call at a stated post office for it. Live stock, of course, cannot be sent by post, but an exception are bees. The question of who pays for the postage and the delivery costs of a parcel depends upon the trader, who must prepay the postage and the C.O.D. fees, which vary’- according to the value of the. parcel. Trade charge, not exceeding 10s, 4d; £l. Gd; £2, 8d; £5, lOd; £lO,