Would you let eBay pack and ship the items you’ve sold by dropping them off at a local drop-off point? It sounds unlikely, but British newspaper the Telegraph is reporting a new pilot program that does just that.
The concept, according to the article: “The online marketplace is to pilot the scheme with a handful of Argos stores, allowing eBay users to drop sold items at their nearest outlet, for packing and shipping by eBay. If successful, the trial will be extended to 700 Argos stores.”
eBay is already working with Argos on a customer pick-up service – many entities are trying to offer shoppers package pickup options as an alternative to home delivery.
But the concept of dropping off “naked” items for eBay to pack and ship is new – the Telegraph quotes eBay UK executive Tanya Lawler calling it “world first” and something that couldn’t be easily replicated by others.
Could it be confused about exactly how the items are dropped off? In January, UK’s Royal Mail launched a Click & Drop service similar to the USPS Click N Ship program in the U.S. – but the program requires eBay sellers to package their items and apply a shipping label before drop-off.
Assuming the Telegraph got the details of the program right, would you feel comfortable dropping off sold products for someone else to package and ship? If so, which companies would you entrust with your orders?
Update: Comment on the EcommerceBytes Letters to the Editor Blog.
