Cash on Delivery vs Take&Ship
Cash on Delivery vs. Take&Ship: Why You Are Paying Double (And How to Stop)
The High Price of “Safety”: Why COD Costs So Much
Many shoppers choose Cash on Delivery because it feels safe. You don’t pay until the box is in your hand. However, sellers know this, and they charge a massive “convenience tax” for it.
The “3x Markup” Rule
When a seller ships a product internationally with COD, they take a huge risk. If you refuse the package, they lose money on shipping both ways. To cover this risk, they inflate the product price significantly.
A dress costs $20 on a local Turkish website. A COD reseller will list that same dress for $70 or $80. You aren’t paying for better quality; you are paying for the seller’s fear of returns.
Head-to-Head: Cash on Delivery vs. Take&Ship
Let’s look at the pros and cons to see which method actually benefits your wallet.
| Feature | Cash on Delivery (COD) | Take&Ship (Package Forwarding) |
|---|---|---|
| Item Price | Expensive (3-4x markup) | Cheap (Real local price) |
| Variety | Limited to reseller stock | Unlimited (Shop any local store) |
| Shipping | Hidden in item price (High) | Transparent & Consolidatable |
| Risk | Low (Pay on arrival) | Low (Verified reliable service) |
| Return Policy | Refuse at door (High markup covers this) | 14-Day Return to Sender service |
Pros and Cons Analysis
Cash on Delivery (COD)
- Pros: No need for a credit card; feels lower risk initially.
- Cons: Extremely high prices; limited product choices; no ability to combine shipping from different stores.
Take&Ship Services
-
- Access Local Prices: Save up to 70% by paying what locals pay.
- Consolidation: Combine boxes from 5 different stores into one shipment to slash shipping fees.
- Quality Control: Inspect photos of your items before they ship.
- Return to Sender Service: If an item isn’t right, you can return it to the seller from the Take&Ship warehouse (within 14 days) before it ever leaves the country.
- Cons: Requires upfront payment; requires a quick setup process.
What are the Benefits of Using Take&Ship?
Take&Ship is a package forwarding service that gives you a “local address.” This allows you to shop like a local citizen, avoiding the “tourist prices” charged by international resellers.
- Pay the Real Price: Buy from official stores like Trendyol, Zara TR, or Amazon TR at the local currency rate.
- Consolidation is Key: Instead of paying international shipping for 5 different items, Take&Ship receives them all, throws away the bulky extra boxes, and repacks them into one efficient package. This creates huge savings on courier fees.
- Quality Control: Take&Ship can inspect your items, send you photos, and ensure the product is correct before it ever leaves the country.
How to Use Take&Ship: A Step-by-Step Guide
Ready to stop overpaying? Here is how you can switch to the smarter way of shopping in just three simple steps.
Step 1: Get Your Free Address
Sign up on the Take&Ship website. They will instantly provide you with a unique physical address (shopping hub like Istanbul) and a personal “Suite Number.”
Step 2: Shop Local Stores
Go to your favorite online stores (e.g., Hepsiburada, Trendyol, Pierre Cardin). Add items to your cart. When checking out, do not use your home address. Instead, enter the Take&Ship address and your Suite Number.
Tip: Use Google Chrome’s “Translate” feature if the local site isn’t in English!
Step 3: Consolidate and Ship
You will get a notification from Take&Ship when your packages arrive at their warehouse. Once you are done shopping, log in to your dashboard and tell them to “Repack/Merge.” They will combine your goods into one box and ship it to your actual home address via reliable couriers like UPS, TNT, SMSA, FedEx.
The Bottom Line
If you want to save money, stop fearing online payments. The premium you pay for Cash on Delivery destroys your buying power. Switch to Take&Ship, access the local economy, and get 3 times more products for the same amount of money.
📦 Ready to Start Shopping?
Sign up at takeandship.com to get your free shipping address in Turkey. Start shopping and let us deliver the best of Turkey to your door — wherever you are!
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