Online trading community eBay, San Jose, CA, announced last week that it entered into a five-year agreement with Mail Boxes Etc., San Diego, and a planned agreement with iShip.com, Bellevue, WA, to provide eBay members with an integrated system for e-commerce shipping. Mail Boxes Etc. is a franchisor of retail businesses and iShip.com is a provider of multicarrier Web-based shipping services.
As part of the agreement, iShip.com will provide upfront information to eBay sellers and buyers regarding shipping costs and options. MBE will then provide sellers and buyers the brick-and-mortar infrastructure for packing and shipping. eBay and MBE also plan to implement a hold for inspection program where franchisees of MBE will provide a place for delivery and inspection of goods.
