ShipOpsHow Smartlane pays your COD, and how to check it
Smartlane advertises Smart COD: part or all of an order's COD settled to you as soon as the order is dispatched, rather than after the courier collects and pays. Smartlane does not share payment data with ShipOps, so upload its statement: ShipOps checks every row, matches each line to a parcel, and lists every delivered parcel that is on no statement as owed to you.
When Smartlane pays
Smartlane's site says money is transferred "as soon as the order is dispatched", and quotes both "up to 90%" and "up to 100%" of the COD. How much you are advanced, and when the rest follows, is set by your agreement with Smartlane. After you upload a few statements, ShipOps can show you your usual rhythm.
Money paid on dispatch has a second side: a parcel that comes back instead of being delivered has to be squared somewhere. Ask Smartlane how returns are settled on your account; when a statement deducts one, ShipOps matches the deduction to the returned parcel.
What the Smartlane payout receipt contains
The statement is the file Smartlane gives you for a settlement, usually one row per parcel: the order, the courier's tracking number, the COD, the charges and the amount paid. It may come as a PDF, CSV or Excel file. ShipOps reads it, checks that every row adds up, matches each line to your order, and remembers the layout for next time.
Where the money goes wrong
These are the discrepancies ShipOps finds on Smartlane receipts, in the order they usually cost the most:
- Delivered, on no statement. Once you have the statements for the period, these are the parcels to ask Smartlane about.
- Short paid. The amount on a statement row is less than the order's COD minus the agreed charges.
- A return deducted twice, or a delivery deducted as a return. The same returned parcel on two statements, or a delivered parcel's money taken back.
- Charges different from your rate. The courier charge on the statement does not match what you agreed with Smartlane.
What ShipOps does with a Smartlane payout
You upload the statementUpload the statement on the Money screen. ShipOps checks every row, matches the lines to your parcels and files it. Uploading is never charged. The Money screen shows what reached your bank, what Smartlane still owes you, and what is at risk.
ShipOps cannot see a Smartlane payment until you upload the statement. Smartlane's API has no payment data, so "courier owes you" for Smartlane is only as up to date as your last upload.
ShipOps does not raise the dispute for you. It shows you which parcels to raise, with their tracking numbers and delivery dates, so you can send them to Smartlane.
Questions merchants ask about Smartlane payments
When does Smartlane pay COD?
Smartlane advertises settlement as soon as an order is dispatched, for part or all of the COD. The exact share and timing are in your agreement with Smartlane. Upload a few statements and ShipOps shows you your usual rhythm.
What happens to money paid on dispatch when a Smartlane parcel is returned?
That is set by your agreement with Smartlane, so ask them. When a statement deducts a return, ShipOps matches the deduction to the returned parcel, so you can see each return was charged once.
What format does the Smartlane statement need to be in?
The file Smartlane gives you, as PDF, CSV or Excel. ShipOps reads it as it is and remembers the layout for next time.
How do I find Smartlane parcels delivered but not paid?
Upload the statements for the period. Delivered parcels that appear on none of them are listed under "courier owes you" with their delivery dates.
See what Smartlane still owes you
Connect Smartlane and ShipOps matches every payout against your orders. Short-paid, skipped and zero-collected parcels come out as a list you can send to your account manager. Free to start.