eBay is getting ready to test a fulfillment service aimed at reducing delivery times for merchants, especially those in China, according to reports.
The service would be similar to one run by Amazon, which lets sellers store their inventory in a warehouse, to be packaged and shipped to buyers by Amazon staff. Sellers pay extra for this type of service, but for many independent merchants, it is less costly than doing it themselves.
Of particular interest to eBay is standardizing delivery times from China. eBay is courting Chinese retailers to sell on the U.S. site and has already forged deals with several major Chinese brands, including Vancl, Li Ning and Breo. But eBay is acutely aware that long delivery times and customs tie-ups can drive away buyers.
By fulfilling orders from a U.S. warehouse, eBay hopes to cut delivery times from Chinese sellers in half, down from an average of 18 days, the Wall Street Journal reports.
Auctiva staff writers constantly monitor trends and best practices of those selling on eBay and elsewhere online. They attend relevant training seminars and trade shows and regularly discuss the market with PowerSellers and other market experts.
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