(NC)—The Internet has transformed how people communicate and interact in their daily lives. Online marketplaces like eBay have changed the way people buy and sell goods. With a click of a mouse, people can bid on a variety of items – from cameras to handbags to real estate. Canadians have welcomed online shopping, creating a $1 billion (U.S.) economy last year on eBay alone.
This entrepreneurial spirit has been embraced by smaller Canadian cities that recognize the value of online retailing. A recent eBay survey revealed smaller communities, like Belle River (ON), Sooke (BC), Cornwall (PEI) and Ste-Marthe-Sur-Le-Lac (QC), form some of the online giant's top Canadian buying and selling communities.
That's good news for the post office, which benefits from delivering those hockey cards, car parts and iPods. Canada Post has been partnering with eBay since 2006 to bolster this booming economy. "It made sense to work with eBay and provide easy-to-use solutions for their users," says John Swettenham, general manager of marketing strategy at Canada Post. "Though we compete with other companies on eBay, our extensive delivery network, service standards and cost-effective delivery options – like the new Flat Rate Box – make Canada Post the logical choice for eBay users."
eBay makes it easy for anyone to get started with step-by-step instructions on how to bid, buy and sell. Some eBay sellers find that packaging and shipping can be tricky. Correctly estimating shipping rates impacts their profit, and finding the proper box for shipping is key. That worry is gone with a new flat-rate shipping option from Canada Post.
Canada Post and eBay have introduced a Flat Rate Box that gives eBay sellers the simplicity of three flat rates – Regional, National and USA. Anything that fits in this sturdy box, up to 5 kg (11 lbs), ships. The boxes are free of charge (shipping and handling applies), use labels that are printed using the eBay shipping tool, and can be dropped in a mailbox or post office.
"eBay sellers, especially new ones, say finding the right package for their items and calculating shipping can be tricky," says Andrew Sloss, eBay Canada's country manager. "The Flat Rate Box will remove that stress for my eBay sellers." One more way to ensure small town Canada continues to contribute to the Canadian economy, on eBay at least.
- News Canada
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