Amazon Seller Flex Windows Reopening Next Week: Here’s Why You Should Act Fast

WareIQ’s Approach to Solving NDR – How Our Workflow Automation Works

NDR (Non-Delivery Report) occurs when an order cannot be delivered to the customer for various reasons, such as incorrect address details, customer unavailability, or other logistical challenges. Resolving NDRs is crucial to prevent orders from being returned to the origin and to ensure a successful delivery.

The Game Analogy: Avoiding “Game Over” in NDR Management

Think of NDR resolution as a game where you have three lives. Each failed delivery attempt represents a lost life, and the goal is to secure a successful delivery before all attempts are exhausted. If none of the channels—SMS, Email, WhatsApp, or phone calls—resolve the issue, you face “game over,” with the order heading toward Return-to-Origin (RTO).

At WareIQ, our automated NDR verification workflow is designed to help you stay in the game, ensuring a successful delivery before it’s too late. Here’s how our multi-channel system increases your chances of success and improves customer satisfaction.

Multi-Channel Workflow: From Automation to Manual Intervention

When an order enters NDR status, our system engages multiple communication channels to reach the customer. Each channel serves a unique role in maximizing engagement before the order risks going into RTO.

  1. SMS – One of the quickest ways to alert customers about a delivery issue. While it’s a fast and direct method, customer responsiveness can vary depending on how immediately they perceive the need to act.
  2. Email – A common communication tool, but less effective for time-sensitive issues. It’s best used to complement other channels since many customers check their email sporadically.
  3. WhatsApp – This is the most engaging platform for messaging, thanks to its informal and interactive nature. Customers are more likely to respond quickly, making it a key part of our Non-Delivery Report workflow.
  4. IVR Call (Robo Call) – Automated calls provide another touchpoint, though customers may overlook calls from unknown or generic numbers. While helpful in notifying customers, it’s typically less effective in resolving issues immediately.
  5. Manual Call (Human Call) – Manual intervention proves the most effective. When a real person calls, customers are far more likely to engage and resolve the issue on the spot. The personal touch makes all the difference, especially when automated methods fall short.

By leveraging multiple channels, we improve the odds of resolving NDRs. Each method has its place in the overall workflow, but channels like WhatsApp and manual calls tend to offer the highest touch rates, while SMS and emails are useful supplementary tools.

NDR Data verification cycle following first failed delivery attempt
Non-Delivery Report – NDR Data verification Cycle

How It Works: The Step-by-Step Process

Our NDR workflow triggers notifications in cycles, starting with automated methods and escalating to human intervention when needed. Here’s how the process unfolds:

  1. Initial Notification Blast: As soon as the order is flagged as Non-Delivery Report, our system sends the first round of SMS, Email, and WhatsApp notifications. This serves as the first touchpoint, encouraging the customer to respond and verify their delivery information.
  2. Escalation (After 4 hours): If no response is received, the system sends another round of notifications through the same channels to increase engagement chances.
  3. Final Attempt (After 8 hours): If the customer remains unresponsive, an IVR call is placed as one last push to capture their attention.
  4. Manual Call (After 10 hours): If all previous methods fail, a manual call is made by a human agent. This is the most effective method for resolving the issue and preventing RTO.

Tackling Fake Delivery Attempts in NDR (Non-Delivery Report) Management

Fake delivery attempts—when a delivery is marked undeliverable despite the customer being available—are a common issue. At WareIQ, we mitigate this through pincode-level analysis and customer feedback. If a particular pincode shows an unusually high number of NDRs, it raises a red flag, prompting deeper investigation.

We also cross-reference customer claims with the date and time of failed deliveries. If we identify patterns of fake attempts with a specific courier partner, we can switch to a more reliable partner. Once flagged, we reschedule the delivery and contact the customer directly via WhatsApp or manual calls to confirm their availability, reducing the risk of delays and RTO.

Why WareIQ’s Approach Works

  1. Diverse Communication Channels: By utilizing SMS, Email, WhatsApp, IVR calls, and manual calls, we ensure no customer is missed. Different customers prefer different modes of communication, and our workflow covers them all.
  2. Escalation Strategy: Our timed escalation ensures customers have multiple opportunities to respond before the issue becomes critical. This layered approach reduces pressure on customers while still encouraging prompt action.
  3. Human Intervention: Automation is efficient, but manual intervention is key. The personal touch of a manual call significantly increases resolution rates, as customers appreciate the direct engagement and problem-solving.
  4. Courier Flexibility: If we detect poor performance from a courier partner—whether due to fake attempts or low delivery success rates—we can switch partners to maintain high service levels and ensure better outcomes for our clients.

Contact us here to get in touch and get a demo on how it works.

Our ability to optimize courier selection and tap into a diverse communication strategy ensures you’re not just playing the game—you’re playing to win.

You may also like to read: Best ways to tackle NDR orders 

Harsh Vaidya
Author

Harsh Vaidya

Harsh Vaidya is the Founder & CEO of WareIQ - a Y-Combinator-backed full-stack fulfillment solution catering to the fulfillment & shipping needs of 400+ eCommerce brands across categories. He was previously the Chief of Staff at Pitney Bowes managing Corp Dev & Strategy for $2.4 B SMB BU. He has 10+ experience in Strategy Consulting & SMB tech.

Read all of Harsh Vaidya's Posts