EBAY TEAMS WITH MAIL BOXES ETC. AND ISHIP.COM TO PROVIDE PERSON-TO-PERSON
PR NEWSWIRE - April 12, 1999 08:04
E-Commerce Shipping Solutions
Alliance is First of Its Kind to Provide Seamless Solution for Shipping
And Delivery Services; Bridges Internet Commerce World With Real-World Infrastructure
SAN JOSE, Calif., SAN DIEGO and BELLEVUE, Wash., April 12 /PRNewswire/ -- eBay (Nasdaq: EBAY) (www.ebay.com), the leading person-to-person online trading community, today announced a five-year agreement with Mail Boxes Etc. (MBE) (Nasdaq: OFIS), the world's largest franchisor of retail business, communications and postal service centers, and a planned agreement with iShip.com, the leader in multi-carrier Web-based shipping services for e- commerce, to provide eBay members with a first-of-its-kind, integrated system for e-commerce shipping.
The three companies -- eBay, MBE and iShip.com -- represent crucial components in the e-commerce industry, and will team together to provide integrated, online, full-service retail shipping solutions to effectively support the rapidly growing e-commerce industry. Under the planned agreement, iShip.com will provide upfront information to eBay sellers and buyers regarding shipping costs and options, helping reduce the need for frequent emails to work out terms of shipping. MBE will offer eBay sellers and buyers the bricks-and-mortar infrastructure for packing and shipping. In addition, eBay and MBE expect to implement a "hold for inspection" program where MBE franchisees will provide a place for delivery and inspection of goods.
"The growth of eBay's person-to-person online trading has created a demand for improved shipping solutions for our community of 2.1 million users," said Meg Whitman, president and chief executive officer of eBay. "MBE, with its network of more than 3,000 centers across the country, and iShip.com, with its innovative online-shipping, pricing and tracking solutions, are the ideal partners for eBay to join with in developing an integrated, full-service retail shipping service to handle this demand."
The eBay/MBE/iShip.com shipping solution will make the shipping process easy, convenient and efficient for buyers and sellers. With accurate zip-to-zip rate and service information from iShip.com, eBay users will be able to see how much a shipment will cost, even before they place a bid. Web-based pricing will streamline the shipping process while instant package status will inform sellers and buyers of the exact location of the goods. Plus, eBay members will benefit from the network of participating MBE centers nationwide, providing convenient drop-off and pick-up locations for e-commerce shipments. MBE's TotalShipping(TM) program provides a variety of worldwide shipping options including motor, air or ocean freight service, for large, heavy and unique items.
Plans for eBay, MBE and iShip.com provide for iShip.com to develop a co-branded shipping interface integrated into the eBay site. This page will give members easy access to shipping rates and service alternatives, accurate pricing information, shipping help features and package tracking status. These plans are subject to certain conditions, including negotiation of definitive agreements and engineering of the interface. Additionally, MBE and eBay will develop a shipping solutions page that will give tutorial information specific to MBE's services, standard packing requirements, and information on MBE's proprietary declared-value program. The page will link to an MBE locator, so eBay buyers and sellers can find the most convenient MBE center.
In addition, the companies are working to develop MBE's new "hold for inspection" program that the companies anticipate will enable buyers to accept or refuse delivery upon inspection of items shipped to participating MBE locations. This service is planned to provide users another tool to facilitate person-to-person online trading.
"As the volume of e-commerce increases, shipping solutions that bridge the Web and the physical world become critical," said James Amos, MBE president and CEO. "MBE will now bring our commitment to world-class customer service to the substantial volume of eBay transactions, ultimately making e-commerce business easier. And, with iShip.com's leading technology, we're tackling the challenges associated with shipping the amount of merchandise now sold online."
"Teaming with eBay and MBE, we're realizing our vision of integrating Web-based shipping services into e-commerce, to give buyers and merchants choice, convenience and efficiency," said Steve Teglovic, co-founder and CEO of iShip.com. "Our e-commerce shipping solution for eBay members means no more doubts about how to ship, where a package is, or what it will cost to send it to the winning buyer," he added.
In support of this new strategic partnership, MBE is undertaking an initiative to link satellite technology with point-of-sale (POS) computer systems throughout its network of 3,000 domestic franchises. This is part of MBE's ongoing drive to "make business easier" for both its franchisees and their growing customer base.
"This move further positions MBE to accommodate the changing needs of our customers, while at the same time attracting new Internet customers, " said Amos. "With this technology we will be providing a comprehensive shipping solution for the dynamic e-commerce community."
Mail Boxes Etc., a wholly owned subsidiary of US Office Products Company, is the world's largest franchisor of retail business communication and postal service centers. There are more than 3,700 MBE centers operating worldwide, with master licensing agreements in place for the development of the MBE business in 60 countries around the world. In the United States, MBE centers are owned and operated by licensed franchisees of Mail Boxes Etc., USA, Inc. Outside the United States, MBE centers are owned and operated by MBE master licensees or their franchisees. MBE maintains a Web site at www.mbe.com.
US Office Products Company (USOP) is one of North America's leading providers of office supplies, office furniture, and office coffee and breakroom products. In addition to MBE, USOP also owns and operates Blue Star Group Limited, a leading supplier of office products and business services in New Zealand and Australia. USOP's Web site can be found at www.usop.com.
eBay (www.ebay.com), the world's personal trading community(TM), pioneered person-to-person online trading. Founded in 1995, eBay has developed an efficient and entertaining trading site in an auction format on the Web that is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. eBay has more than 2.1 million registered users. Currently, there are more than 1.8 million items listed for sale. More than 250,000 new items are added daily, in more than 1,500 categories, including: antiques; books, movies and music; coins and stamps; collectibles; computers; dolls and figures; jewelry and gemstones; photo and electronics; pottery and glass; sports memorabilia; and toys.
iShip.com is an Internet shipping services company with the vision of helping buyers and merchants integrate package shipping into the e-commerce process. Its one-stop Web-based shipping service brings multi-carrier choice, the convenience of the Web, and powerful tools for efficient pricing, shipping and tracking to both Web merchants and online shoppers, improving the overall e-commerce experience. iShip.com was founded in 1997, and is based in Bellevue, Washington. For more information, visit www.iship.com.
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