Online shopping corporation eBay has signed an agreement with uShip, an online shipping market operator, to increase customers’ access to carriers and pricing services on the eBay website.
Under the new partnership, uShip-powered delivery options will be incorporated across eBay categories that frequently contain “larger-than-parcel-sized” goods, which refer to any items that weigh over 150lbs or are simply oversized, such as an item that goes beyond the size requirements of USPS, UPS and FedEx in America.
The service will initially be available for eBay transactions in the USA covering vehicles, motorcycles, powersport vehicles and boats, with more categories expected to be added in spring.
“As one of the largest online marketplaces for all things automotive, we aim to provide a complete lifecycle of services for vehicles from purchase to delivery,” said Bryan Murphy, head of eBay Motors. “Our work with uShip allows consumers the flexibility to evaluate transporters and select the delivery option that works best for their needs.”
Prior to the agreement, buyers who purchased “larger-than-parcel-sized” goods on eBay would need to arrange shipping through uShip independently.
Based in Austin, Texas, uShip currently has a network of over 500,000 registered carriers that can handle “larger-than-parcel” shipments including vehicles, heavy equipment and household goods.
The integration will allow eBay buyers and sellers to have more direct access to carriers and pricing, resulting in more eBay volume for uShip carriers.
“eBay buyers have saved US$20m (£12m) in shipping costs through uShip,” said Matt Chasen, CEO and founder of uShip. “For transporter service providers on uShip, this translates into more opportunity with extremely high-intent shipping customers.”
Since 2007, 93,000 users have linked their eBay accounts with uShip, which has seen over 560,000 eBay items valued at US$712m (£428m) listed for shipping.
Picture: US-based King Moving Services, one of uShip’s transporters, moving a larger-than-parcel-sized product into a van
