Question
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Postal Service shipping tools now on eBay
Sellers will be able to print shipping labels, pay postage and check the delivery status from the eBay Web site
Briefs by Linda Rosencrance
OCTOBER 07, 2003 ( COMPUTERWORLD ) - The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) and eBay Inc. are making it easier to sell goods at the auction site by offering online access to postal products, services and shipping tools.
The offerings will let eBay sellers print shipping labels, pay postage and check the delivery status of their items from the eBay Web site, according to a USPS statement yesterday.
A USPS spokeswoman said letter carriers will pick up the packages, which have a weight limit of 70 lb., at the seller's home and take them to a processing center.
"Fast, affordable and reliable shipping services are essential to eBay buyers and sellers alike," eBay President and CEO Meg Whitman said in the statement. "We are very excited about this relationship because the Postal Service is committed to working with us to deliver more value to the eBay community."
EBay also plans to include Express Mail rates in the eBay shipping calculator by late fall, according to the statement.
"The U.S. Postal Service provides customers convenient access to postal products nationwide at post offices, grocery stores, ATMs and other commercial agents," Postmaster General John Potter said in the statement. "It only makes sense that we provide the same level of convenient access online."
The Postal Service and eBay said they are continuing to explore ways of enhancing shipping on eBay, including finding easier ways to ship internationally.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Here's the USPS release in .pdf format - I've included a copy of the entire document below: http://www.usps.com/communications/n...3/pr03_069.pdf
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Media Relations
October 6, 2003 202-268-2155
Release No. 069
www.usps.com
USPS AND eBAY TEAM UP
TO EXPAND SHIPPING OPTIONS
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Postal Service and eBay have teamed up to make it easier
for eBay sellers to ship items by featuring postal products and services and by offering online access to useful shipping solutions.
USPS and eBay are offering eBay sellers the ability to access existing postal solutions that will enable them to print shipping labels, pay postage and check the delivery status of their items -conveniently from eBay. Buyers will be able to calculate shipping costs online, and there will be no need for eBay buyers or sellers to conduct transactions at Post Offices. Early next year, the parties anticipate that these same features will be integrated and accessible from sellers’ eBay accounts. eBay sellers rely on the Postal Service to deliver their items sold online. Working with eBay, we have made it easier and more convenient for sellers to prepare and pay for their sold products without leaving their homes, said USPS Postmaster General and CEO John E. Potter. With our letter carriers delivering to every address in America, picking up packages for eBay sellers is swift and easy,he added. Fast, affordable and reliable shipping services are essential to eBay buyers and sellers alike, said eBay’s President and CEO Meg Whitman. We are very excited about this relationship because the Postal Service is committed to working with us to deliver more value to the eBay community.
The Postal Service‘s presence on eBay’s Shipping Center features shipping options and online tools to help make shipping easier. eBay also plans to include Express Mail rates in the eBay shipping calculator in late fall of 2003. "The U.S. Postal Service provides customers convenient access to postal products nationwide at Post Offices, grocery stores, ATMs and other commercial agents," said Potter. "It only makes sense that we provide the same level of convenient access online. Postal Service and eBay executives said they are continuing to explore ways of enhancing shipping on eBay, including making it easier to ship internationally.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Blanche
Answer
Now if the USPS can stop loosing mail and stop delivering overnight letter in two days (happened to me last week) and deliver regular 1st class mail to the correct address, I might trust them to deliver my packages.
Would this mean that the seller can't hide the ridiculous high mailing fees since it's part of eBay and it will be known to the buyer?
Answer
Here's the eBay USPS shipping page: http://pages.ebay.com/usps/home.html...me=CMDV:IC0031
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Would this mean that the seller can't hide the ridiculous high mailing fees since it's part of eBay and it will be known to the buyer?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
superman, I don't know. http://community.here.com/infopop/em...n_confused.gif
Blanche
Answer
All I see for shipping choices is Priority or Express. And Global Express.
If there are not parcel post, 1st class and media choices, along with DC...
Then ebay ALMOST got it right again.
Answer
What about that "schedule a pick up" link on the ebay page? It says for $12.50 you can schedule a pick up?
Right now my mail carrier picks up for FREE! (I have a rural route)
$12.50 a pickup is a little hefty to pay for the convience of not going to the post office.
Answer
But is it going to be regular rates, or is there going to be a "fee" tacked on for ebay? I admit if it's in the above stuff I missed it.
Doesn't the USPS site already do that?
http://killbarney.elitegrafx.com/catmouse.gif
This is it, I've found it, I'm in hell.
Where we all are
My auctions you gotta have http://community.here.com/infopop/em...on_biggrin.gif
Answer
As usual, the hype exceeds the reality.
What twits.
Larry
Answer
I doubt very much that it'll be that easy. The policy at my post office is that packages over 1 lb. have to be dropped off in person at the bulk mailing dock. Even though I use Endicia and according to "policy", I'm supposed to be able to drop off my packages at any drop box or have the carrier take them.
On my next trip in - probably today - I'll have to take a few moments and discuss this with them and see what their reaction is.
blackcastlebooks
Answer
and another addtion to ebay to cause stress on the servers and programmers.
how long before this site crashes???
anyone wanna get a "pool" going http://community.here.com/infopop/em...on_biggrin.gif
too much change in too little time.
_____________________
Answer
Saw no mention of how we are suppose to get insurance from the Post Office or if those packages will still have to to be taken to the P.O. If they are going to charge for pickup (especially volume) it's no different than right now. I don't mail very many packages each day but I know some of you do. I can just see the look on my mail man's face if he had to take 20/30 packages each day. Also, how is he suppose to know he needs to come to the door to get packages when he just puts everything in the box at the curb. Most of our packages would not fit in the box. Are we suppose to stand at the door hoping to catch him.
Sounds like someone hasn't thought this through very well.
Laura B