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eBay and Amazon are fighting to win holiday shipping this year. Amazon has taken the bold step of partnering with the US Postal Service on Sunday deliveries. eBay is countering with eBay Now, a service currently offered in Chicago, areas of New York City and San Francisco that promises local deliveries within about an hour of purchase.
How does it work? The company has tapped messengers to physically shop the stores you've ordered from, load up their packages by car or bike, and move them as quickly as possible to your house or office. It costs a mere $5 with an order minimum of $25, but as the Times reports, eBay will wave that fee for the month before Christmas and will extend eBay Now's hours during the shopping crunch time of December 16 through 23.
Shoppers can monitor the progress of their hardworking eBay sherpas or "valets" via a feature on eBay's app. Next year, the company plans to expand the service to more than 25 markets.
· eBay Now [Official Site]
· In War for Same-Day Delivery, Racing Madly to Go Last Mile [NYT]
· eBay's Big New Thing Meshes Pinterest, Day-Of Delivery [Racked]
· Amazon Launches Sunday Delivery With US Postal Service [Racked]
· This eBay Now Courier's Dad Is Worried About How Lazy We Are [Racked]