Pre-dispatch Reminder

Reduce non-delivery rates and RTO by confirming COD order availability before dispatch to ensure successful delivery.

What are Pre-Dispatch Reminder Campaigns?

Pre-Dispatch Reminder Campaigns notify customers just before their order is shipped. By offering a quick confirmation or modification window, brands ensure customers still want the order and that details like address and payment are correct. This step prevents unnecessary dispatches, lowering Return-to-Origin (RTO) and improving delivery success.

Why Pre-Dispatch Reminders Matter

Challenges

Many RTOs happen because customers change their mind, enter incorrect addresses, or aren’t available to receive the package. Once shipped, these errors create costly returns and operational inefficiencies.

Opportunities

A pre-dispatch reminder reduces uncertainty by giving customers a proactive way to confirm or cancel. This helps brands ship only “safe” orders, cutting costs while maintaining customer satisfaction.

Outcomes

Lower Non-Delivery Rates (NDR)

Reduced Return-to-Origin (RTO) Costs

Higher First-Attempt Delivery Success

Who is it for?

Audience

All COD buyers 1 day before dispatch, excluding customers who have already confirmed availability or orders that have already been dispatched.

Exclusions

Customers who already confirmed availability, orders already dispatched, or prepaid orders that don't require confirmation.

How it Plays Out

A sample sequence for this use case.

day

1 day before dispatch

Your order ships tomorrow 🚚 Will you be available to receive it? Tap below to confirm or reschedule → [CTA]

day

Dispatch day

Your COD order ships tomorrow. Will you be available? Confirm now → [Link]

Final confirmation

Last chance to confirm availability before dispatch → [Confirm Delivery]

Alternative

Can't receive tomorrow? Reschedule for a better time → [Reschedule]

Best Practices

Send confirmations 24-48 hours before dispatch to allow customers time to plan or reschedule if needed.
Provide easy rescheduling options rather than just yes/no confirmation to accommodate customer availability changes.
Keep messaging positive and helpful rather than creating pressure or urgency around confirmation.

Pre-dispatch Reminder Examples & Prompts

Channel Examples

Copy

Subject: Your order ships tomorrow 🚚 Body: Will you be available to receive it? Tap below to confirm or reschedule for a convenient time. [Confirm Availability]

Copy

Your COD order ships tomorrow. Will you be available? Confirm now or let us know a better delivery time [Link]

Automate with Zenie Prompts

Zenie can help you automatically detect orders nearing fulfillment and trigger pre-dispatch reminders.

Segment Prompt

Segment all COD orders queued for dispatch next day

Copy

Journey Prompt

Send pre-dispatch alert asking user to confirm they'll receive the order.

Copy

Try in ZEPIC

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FAQs

Why are pre-dispatch confirmations particularly important for COD orders?

COD orders have higher failure rates because customers can easily refuse delivery without financial commitment. Pre-dispatch confirmation helps identify potential issues before shipping costs are incurred, reducing both NDR and RTO rates significantly.

What should happen if customers don't respond to pre-dispatch confirmations?

Proceed with shipping while flagging the order for potential delivery issues. Consider follow-up calls for high-value orders or customers with histories of failed deliveries before dispatch.

Should pre-dispatch reminders offer rescheduling options?

Yes, providing easy rescheduling options often prevents failed deliveries better than forcing customers to accept inconvenient delivery times. Flexible scheduling improves customer satisfaction and delivery success rates.

How far in advance should pre-dispatch confirmations be sent?

Send initial confirmations 24-48 hours before dispatch to allow adequate planning time. Same-day confirmations may not provide enough notice for customers to arrange availability.

What metrics measure pre-dispatch reminder campaign effectiveness?

Track confirmation response rates, NDR reduction, RTO cost savings, and first-attempt delivery success rates. Monitor whether confirmation campaigns lead to measurable improvements in COD delivery performance and operational efficiency.