لماذا يفضل السعوديون الدفع عند الاستلام رغم تطور طرق الدفع الرقمية

Sahl Sunday,31 Aug 2025

With the significant expansion of e-commerce in Saudi Arabia and the emergence of dozens of digital payment methods such as Mada, e-wallets, and even Apple Pay and STC Pay, cash on delivery (COD) remains a strong presence. Many customers in the Kingdom choose to pay upon delivery, as if to say, "I want to see the product in front of me before I pay." Why is this option still popular despite all the developments?
1. Trust First
The biggest reason why cash on delivery is preferred is the issue of trust. Some customers fear that the product will not arrive as pictured, or that delivery will be delayed. Cash on delivery gives them peace of mind that their money is safe until the product arrives.
2. Purchasing Habits
In Saudi Arabia, many people have long been accustomed to buying directly. The traditional shopping culture is still influential, and cash on delivery is a natural extension of these customs. This reason has even made the older generation more inclined toward it.
3. Fear of Fraud
With the spread of stories about scams or fake websites, some customers have become cautious. Digital payment requires absolute trust in the site, but cash on delivery reduces risks: the product comes first, then the money.
4. Convenience
Some customers find cash on delivery easier than entering card information or logging into digital wallets. This is especially true if the customer is in a hurry or lacks technical expertise.
5. Payment Failures
Sometimes, digital payment methods encounter malfunctions or technical issues, which inconveniences the customer. Cash on delivery is a reliable and simple solution: it doesn't require a strong connection or an app that suddenly crashes.
6. Customer Feeling of Control
Customers feel they are in control of the purchase process and can reject the order if they don't like the product. This feeling provides additional security and makes many prefer it over prepaid payments.
7. Age Group Diversity
Young people in large cities like Riyadh and Jeddah are starting to shift more toward digital payments, but in smaller cities or among older age groups, cash on delivery is still the most popular. Here, the influence of habits and previous experiences becomes apparent. 8. The Role of E-Commerce Stores
Some stores encourage cash on delivery because they know it attracts hesitant customers. However, this poses challenges, such as high return rates or additional delivery costs. Therefore, a balance is required between providing choice and managing costs.
9. The Future: Digital Payments are Slowly Advancing
Despite the continued popularity of cash on delivery, we can say that digital payments in Saudi Arabia are growing day by day. With awareness, increased security, and ease of application, the percentage of cash on delivery is expected to decrease over time and confidence in electronic payments will increase.
In short, cash on delivery is still the preferred option for many Saudis because it gives them confidence, convenience, and greater control over the purchasing process. Although the future is increasingly moving toward digital payments, this traditional option remains present and essential for any e-commerce store targeting the Saudi market. If you're a store owner, don't neglect this option, as it could simply be the reason a customer buys from you instead of abandoning their cart.