Ebay Gets Into Postal Service, or USPS Gets Into Online Auctions - Which Is It?   - 2,532 Views,

WASHINGTON, June 20 — Quick, easy, convenient — and
effective. That’s all customers need to know about eBay and the United States
Postal Service.

eBay buyers and sellers now have a new option when choosing to send their
items through USPS: co-branded, Priority Mail(TM) flat-rate boxes.

Flat-rate products make shipping easier because they eliminate the need
for weighing and calculating postage. The cost for Priority Mail flat-rate box
is $7.70, regardless of how much the box weighs or its destination.

The co-branded boxes carry the logos of USPS and eBay and are free.

The boxes are one example of a number of co-branded items designed to
promote the USPS/eBay partnership, while making it easier and more convenient
for the eBay community to ship their products.

“eBay customers are extremely important to the Postal Service,” said Anita
Bizzotto, USPS Chief Marketing Officer and Senior Vice President. “With online
services it’s never been easier for eBay entrepreneurs to take advantage of
the Postal Service’s mailing options.”

Consumers and business owners will have the opportunity to learn all the
trade secrets to effective selling and buying on eBay during a three-day
conference in San Jose, Ca., beginning June 23. USPS is the title sponsor for
“eBay Live! 2005,” eBay’s annual conference that draws more than 10,000 people
from around the world to learn and network.

The Postal Service will host a “Ship It Home Center” at the conference,
demonstrating the eBay/USPS “Integrated Shipping Solution” option on the eBay
website. Anyone stopping by the center will be able to ship home conference
materials in the co-branded Priority Mail(TM) flat-rate boxes.

“Teaming up with the United States Postal Service is a significant win for
the eBay community. To date, millions of USPS shipping labels have been
printed by eBay users using online postage,” said Gary Dillabough, Vice
President of Strategic Partnerships for eBay. “The synergy of our integrated
services is a seamless solution for selling on eBay and offers the eBay
community, many of whom are small business owners, the tools and services to
manage and grow their business.”
In addition to the products and services offered on line through eBay,
USPS also makes buying, selling and shipping even easier. When visiting a Post
Office, consumers may purchase ReadyPost mailing and shipping supplies. The
Postal Service also has licensed “The Shipping Standard,” a complete suite of
shipping, mailing and packaging materials under the USPS logo and brand.

Available items include bubble wrap, mailing envelopes and “Advanced
Security Tape.” If the package has been opened by anyone other than the
addressee, the word “OPENED” appears repeatedly across the box.

Shipping Standard items are available in test markets at Kmart and Wal-
Mart stores.