Online marketplaces and retailers are racing to deliver packages more quickly, and it’s not just Amazon’s move to 1-day free Prime delivery. In July, eBay CEO Devin Wenig announced “eBay Managed Delivery,” an Amazon FBA-style fulfillment program that will launch in the US next year (the same pilot program we reported on in January).
It seems inevitable the race to deliver packages faster will have an impact on logistics during the busy holiday shopping season ahead, when household necessities like paper towels will be vying with holiday gifts for space in planes, trucks, and vans on their way to eager customers.
While eBay has yet to release its promised Summer Seller Update, CEO Devin Wenig made a number of announcements at the eBay Open conference the week of July 23rd, which we covered in the Newsflash newsletter. Among them – new seller protections.
Rival platform Etsy also made some noteworthy announcements of late, including a push for sellers to offer “free shipping” and news that it would integrate seller ads with Google Shopping. It’s not surprising Etsy is looking at more of what it calls “seller services,” as they generate additional revenue for the company. Consider this: Etsy charges commission fees of 5%, but sellers pay an average of 16.5% in fees, according to its Chief Financial Officer who called it “fair” compared to other marketplaces.
In today’s issue, we publish a guide to selling on Facebook – things are really changing on its Marketplace, including new fees. Make sure you keep up with what your rival sellers are up to and see if there are any changes that might change your feelings about selling on the social media platform.
We also take a look at a brand new product from 3M that promises to help you send online orders without the need for boxes and extra packaging. Is it too good to be true?
Today’s Collector’s Corner column takes a look at something that most of us have kicking around the house – older model cell phones – to see if we should dust them off and cash them in, and we end with letters to the editor.
Thanks for reading.
If somebody can get you a $20 item in 1 day, and the other guy will get you the same for $15 in 2-3 days, whatcha gonna do?
One day delivery is for the ” I GOTTA HAVE IT RIGHT NOW”…….2 – 3 day delivery is for those of us who can plan.
Ya, it’s ALL fun & games ’til somebody puts an eye out…….
Seriously, rushing is gonna get somebody killed.
It just isn’t worth it.
I LIKE waiting to get stuff :o)
lol, Re Amazon in-house delivery organization. I live in Atlanta. With the last ten orders delivered by Amazon only 30 percent were delivered on-time as promised.
I think the talk of fast shipping is missing the point. There is nothing faster than driving 1 mile to the local store and buying your toilet paper from there.
Many buyers are wising up to the fact that there is no such thing as “free shipping”.
Why pay $20 for a wine bottle opener from Amazon, when you can buy it for $3 at your local Smiths?
Our economy has been booming since the last recession in 2008. Once buyers start to tighten their pocketbooks, this whole 1 day shipping thing will fizzle away in favor of 3 day shipping with products listed at substantially lower prices.