The investment pitch is interesting and while I own my own startup I don't think I have the knowledge it takes to take a page of text and determine if I should invest, even if the sum is small.
Regarding Shyp, it would be great to imagine a huge untapped potential market around "the first mile" problem but it's hard to see the market there.
For example, in almost any sized company I've worked in, FedEx or UPS would pick up daily from the office for free. So there is a ceiling for this to become B2B and there is already distribution and experience doing this with other carriers such as FedEx and UPS.
Also, I've been able to print shipping carrier labels on packages before and have them picked up directly from the carrier for free so there is already a mechanism there for residential albeit I don't know the details for this program.
But more importantly, while I hate taking my packages down to a UPS store as much as any one else, I rarely do it. And making it easier for me doesn't mean that I would do it more. It just means that it would be easier to do it a few times a year. Which is a scary thought for a business; to think that perhaps you are entering a market that has no room for growth and that the best thing you can do is take a small market away from a large company with more potential to squeeze your margins.
I wish Shyp the best of luck, and if this company is successful it's just a testament to how I probably don't have the wisdom to take a page of text and make a decision on whether or not it will be successful.
EDIT
-----
I've done some more research and here is what I found:
For $10/week (Flat) UPS will pickup daily from your house [0]
For $5.50/pickup UPS will do a one time pickup [1]
I pretty much never sell on Ebay because I envision the shipping pain. I think you also missed the point that they pack it up for you, too. And that you get FedEx/UPS-like service at USPS prices.
Indeed. As a frequent seller on eBay, Craigslist, and other markets, I can testify to how big a deal the "first mile" problem really is. Finding time to package something properly, take it to a UPS or FedEx or USPS outlet, and get it out the door is a serious PITA for the time starved.
Big, big need with a large TAM, in my opinion. Logistically, it seems very hard to scale. But the potential is there.
Wife sells on ebay constantly. She's a Dr, not a stay at home mom, little free time, and certainly makes more than me!
USPS picks up for free.
USPS delivers Priority Mail boxes/envelops for free (boxes also free).
Print a shipping label from ebay for free (and get a rate cheaper than you would if you buy postage at the post office)
We havent been to the post office in years
You are going to shoot yourself in the foot if you start charging $5 more on shipping vs competitors on ebay.
Really depends on the sellers they're targeting. There is a likely segment of sellers who will place a big premium on their time, and even a $5+ premium.
The "money is not a concern; just get this taken care of for me" set is not to be underestimated.
We waive the pickup fee if you ship more than one item. I used to be an eBay power seller and I would have loved a service like this. Also how I came up with the idea.
Co-founder of Shyp here. We don't only just provide a pickup on-demand service, we also package and provide an amazing experience the entire way through. Take a picture with your phone and tell us where its going. That's it.
We do all this for the same price as USPS retail.
We do charge a $5 pickup fee if you only have one item. The reason for this is because the largest cost for us is the pickup so if we are able to incentivise you to hold until you get 2+ items everyone wins.
Oh, did I mention we don't charge anything for packing materials either (tape, box, air pockets etc.)
Regarding Shyp, it would be great to imagine a huge untapped potential market around "the first mile" problem but it's hard to see the market there.
For example, in almost any sized company I've worked in, FedEx or UPS would pick up daily from the office for free. So there is a ceiling for this to become B2B and there is already distribution and experience doing this with other carriers such as FedEx and UPS.
Also, I've been able to print shipping carrier labels on packages before and have them picked up directly from the carrier for free so there is already a mechanism there for residential albeit I don't know the details for this program.
But more importantly, while I hate taking my packages down to a UPS store as much as any one else, I rarely do it. And making it easier for me doesn't mean that I would do it more. It just means that it would be easier to do it a few times a year. Which is a scary thought for a business; to think that perhaps you are entering a market that has no room for growth and that the best thing you can do is take a small market away from a large company with more potential to squeeze your margins.
I wish Shyp the best of luck, and if this company is successful it's just a testament to how I probably don't have the wisdom to take a page of text and make a decision on whether or not it will be successful.
EDIT
-----
I've done some more research and here is what I found:
For $10/week (Flat) UPS will pickup daily from your house [0]
For $5.50/pickup UPS will do a one time pickup [1]
[0] http://www.ups.com/content/us/en/bussol/browse/pickup.html [1] http://www.ups.com/content/us/en/shipping/time/service/value...