Alliance is first of its kind to provide seamless solution for shipping and delivery services; bridges Internet commerce world with real-world infrastructure
For Immediate Release
Contact: MAIL BOXES ETC.
Mail Boxes Etc. Global Headquarters
(858) 455-8982
PR@mbe.com
SAN JOSE AND SAN DIEGO, CALIF. AND BELLEVUE, WASH. (April 12, 1999) -
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), 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
TotalShippingTM 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 (NASDAQ: OFIS), 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 http://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 ™, 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.
Statements in this press release that relate to future plans, objectives,
expectations, performance, events and the like are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning
of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Future events, risks and uncertainties, individually or in the aggregate, could cause actual results
to differ materially from those expressed or implied in these statements. Those factors could include
uncertainties related to the negotiation of definitive agreements and the development of new technology,
and other factors discussed in the "forward-looking information" or "risk factors" sections included in
the companies’ (eBay and USOP) prospectuses, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and annual reports on
Form 10-K.
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