eBay proves virtual gold mine for Postal Service
Carol Johnson, of Centennial, laughs loudly when asked by telephone how she ships the products she sells on eBay.
“That’s what I’m doing right now,” she says.
“Fifteen of my items ended (their auctions) last night, and I’m wrapping them up.”
Johnson, as it turns out, is the quintessential eBay seller: She ships mostly via the U.S. Postal Service but uses United Parcel Service and Federal Express on occasion, especially for large items.
eBay has been a boon to shipping companies, expanding business for the likes of the Postal Service, UPS, FedEx and others.
Says eBay spokeswoman Catherine England: “We’re definitely a big contributor” to the U.S. package shipment industry.
The U.S. Postal Service is the clear shipper of choice and that’s helped resuscitate a flagging mail- delivery operation.
Postmaster General John Potter says eBay shippers have generated more than USD1 billion of postage since the two started working closely together more than two years ago.
“We’re huge with them, and we appreciate being with them,” says Al DeSarro, the Colorado spokesman for the Postal Service.
