How soon do you discover that a transaction is a fraud?

high value items, want to wait for days before dispatching

[Habtom]

With high value items, I wanted to charge customers two days before dispatching in the hope that by then I might come to know that transaction was indeed a fraud. Do you think this can work?

Habtom

[edited by: Habtom at 9:11 am (utc) on June 10, 2007]

[piatkow]

Make sure that your shipping policy does not breach local laws and your card processor's terms of service.

While from a business viewpoint that sounds like a valid approach the window between charging and shipping will make your behaviour look suspect. Make sure that the terms are clearly published and not hidden in the small print.

I would still anticpate having to deal with chargebacks and the occasional visit from the autorities when customers complain.

[jsinger]

What could happen in just 2 days to alert you to fraud? CC chargebacks show up a month...often several months later. Bounced checks take many days

It has occurred to me that delaying shipment a day or two may be wise for retailers who have many customers who cancel or change orders.

Also scamsters often email a day or two after the purchase to see if their things were shipped. (huge red flag)

But all told, I think shipping asap is the better way to go, unless a specific order is suspicious or very high value.