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AuctionDrop Takes eBay Drop-Off National Through 3,400 The UPS Store Locations
The UPS Store Locations Provide Pack-and-Ship Service at No Cost to Customers
SAN CARLOS, Calif., June 22, 2004 ?AuctionDrop today announced a major expansion initiative that will extend their services across the continental United States through 3,400 locations of The UPS Store. AuctionDrop?s selection of The UPS Store network makes them the first in their industry to achieve significant national penetration, making the sale of items on eBay easier and more convenient for anyone, virtually anywhere across the country.
Consumers simply bring unpacked AuctionDrop-authorized items to any The UPS Store location to be professionally packed and shipped to AuctionDrop?s centralized processing hub. AuctionDrop?s staff handles the necessary steps for selling an item on eBay, including photography, testing, research, listing, customer service, payment processing, re-packing, shipping, and returns.
"The huge success of AuctionDrop?s locations in Northern California are proof that consumers are eager to join the eBay community, but often want a partner to help them expertly manage the process and maximize their returns," said Randy Adams, co-founder and CEO of AuctionDrop. "This agreement is a win-win situation for both The UPS Store network and for AuctionDrop. It gives AuctionDrop an immediate nationwide presence and provides The UPS Store franchisees with additional opportunities to build their businesses. We?re proud to continue building this important new selling channel for people who want to sell items on eBay."
eBay continues its phenomenal growth and worldwide popularity. Currently, there are nearly 105 million registered eBay users worldwide and upwards of 25 million items available for sale on eBay at any given time. Since its launch in March 2003 in the San Francisco Bay Area, AuctionDrop has listed over 24,000 items pioneering a new channel for eBay. The company also boasts the highest customer satisfaction rates in the industry (99.9%), as well as the highest volume of any eBay drop-off service.
"The UPS Store?s packaging expertise, matched with AuctionDrop?s vast eBay selling experience, makes this relationship a winning bid for consumers," said Jerry Drisaldi, vice president of UPS Retail Services. "This illustrates perfectly how companies of all types can capitalize on the neighborhood convenience of The UPS Store to tap into new opportunities and better meet the needs of their customers."
"We?re very enthusiastic about the new relationship between AuctionDrop and UPS," said Meg Whitman, president and CEO of eBay. "The relationship makes tremendous sense and promises to open the exciting world of eBay to even more people."
AuctionDrop leverages its deep understanding of which items sell well on eBay to help ensure customers have a positive selling experience. Based on this experience, AuctionDrop will accept items for drop-off through The UPS Store network in the following categories: antiques and collectibles; camcorders; cameras; car audio & video; cell phones; computers & networking equipment; electronics; jewelry & watches; musical instruments & equipment; shoes, purses, leather goods and accessories; sports & hobby equipment; and video game systems.
Customers can easily find their nearest location of The UPS Store through the store locator at
www.auctiondrop.com, or by calling 1-866-DROP-IT-OFF.
Customers wishing to sell an item on eBay simply drop off their unpacked item at any The UPS Store location. No payment is necessary at drop-off with basic service, as AuctionDrop takes a variable commission on the sale. Items are then packaged and sent to the AuctionDrop processing center, where the company evaluates the item, photographs it, writes a description and lists it on eBay with a goal of securing the best possible sale price for the seller. Once the auction ends, AuctionDrop takes care of payment processing and shipping, and sends a check to the customer. If an item doesn?t sell, it will be returned to the customer at no additional cost.
Key to AuctionDrop?s ability to provide the highest quality customer service is its centralized processing hub. Unlike competitive offerings that have no way to ensure consistency or quality control across locations, AuctionDrop leverages its ?hub-and-spoke? model to tap into technologies and processes that ensure sellers receive the maximum value for their listed items. And because AuctionDrop-listed items have been carefully photographed, listed and verified against fraud, consumers can be confident in what they?re buying. Customers can also take advantage of AuctionDrop?s expert, 7-day a week customer service center to answer any questions or help them through the eBay process.
About AuctionDrop
AuctionDrop is the first retail company dedicated to providing a simple, fast and convenient way for consumers to sell goods on eBay. Now anyone, anywhere in the continental United States can AuctionDrop their items at The UPS Store in their neighborhood. AuctionDrop receives funding from leading Silicon Valley venture firms Mobius Venture Capital and Draper Associates. For more information, go to
www.auctiondrop.com or call toll free 1-866-DROP-IT-OFF (1-866-376-7486).