Skip the Post Office, Use Shyp

#1

Post by jstreebin » Wed, Jun 05, 2013, 7:37 PM UTC

Skip the Post Office, Use Shyp
blog.geteasypost.com

Re: Skip the Post Office, Use Shyp

#2

Post by hayksaakian » Wed, Jun 05, 2013, 8:40 PM UTC

What's with all the snail mail startups / projects in the last few days?

Did USPS open up some regulation or something, what's going on?

Re: Skip the Post Office, Use Shyp

#3

Post by bradfa » Wed, Jun 05, 2013, 8:51 PM UTC

I feel that doing an API this way begs for a middle man to make an app that normal people can actually use to do shipping in their business.

Why, if I want to ship things to people as my business, would I implement some software myself using this rather than buy an existing offering?

Am I missing something? Shipping and accepting credit cards are completely different, I know this API concept works for Stripe, but I fail to see how it works well for shipping.

Re: Skip the Post Office, Use Shyp

#4

Post by jspaur » Wed, Jun 05, 2013, 9:01 PM UTC

hayksaakian wrote: post #2

What's with all the snail mail startups / projects in the last few days? Did USPS open up some regulation or something, what's going on?

I think more coincidence. EasyPost and TryPaper both started around the same time (Q3 2013). Nothing specific on the USPS side has happened.

That being said, one thing we've seen, is as companies have invested more and more in digital delivery, they've 'de-invested' in their physical print & mail production, so it makes a lot of off load it to a S(oftware)+S(ervices) model.

Re: Skip the Post Office, Use Shyp

#5

Post by rgbrenner » Wed, Jun 05, 2013, 9:04 PM UTC

"Currently, for a consumer or small business to send packages the following needs to happen: buy packing materials, pack the order, drive to shipping carrier, wait in line, and pay."

Not really. You do need packing materials.. but Endicia, Stamps.com, and even the USPS website will let you print postage. And you can request a free pickup through the usps website.

That's your real competition...

Re: Skip the Post Office, Use Shyp

#6

Post by ctdonath » Wed, Jun 05, 2013, 9:05 PM UTC

hayksaakian wrote: post #2

What's with all the snail mail startups / projects in the last few days? Did USPS open up some regulation or something, what's going on?

An idea's time has come?

Re: Skip the Post Office, Use Shyp

#7

Post by kevingibbon » Wed, Jun 05, 2013, 9:12 PM UTC

rgbrenner wrote: post #5

"Currently, for a consumer or small business to send packages the following needs to happen: buy packing materials, pack the order, drive to shipping carrier, wait in line, and pay." Not really. You do need packing materials.. but Endicia, Stamps.com, and even the USPS website will let you print postage. And you can request a free pickup through the usps website. That's your real competition...

Co-founder of Shyp here.

Absolutely! However USPS only does pickups from 10-2 M-S. You need to be there or leave the package outside.

We will be soon adding support for UPS, Fedex, Ontrac and a bunch of other regional shipping company. Ship through Shyp and we handle everything.

Re: Skip the Post Office, Use Shyp

#8

Post by a_c_s » Wed, Jun 05, 2013, 9:13 PM UTC

bradfa wrote: post #3

I feel that doing an API this way begs for a middle man to make an app that normal people can actually use to do shipping in their business. Why, if I want to ship things to people as my business, would I implement some software myself using this rather than buy an existing offering? Am I missing something? Shipping and accepting credit cards are completely different, I know this API concept works for Stripe, but I f…

Just as with a credit card API, you would integrate the ability to purchase & print postage within another application.

I work on an internal company application and it would be great if people could purchase & print postage from within the application.

Re: Skip the Post Office, Use Shyp

#9

Post by askedrelic » Wed, Jun 05, 2013, 9:16 PM UTC

I'm still waiting on my invite. I saw some ads on FB advertising it and decided to try, but have been waiting since. I hate the Post Office and would love to this us.

Re: Skip the Post Office, Use Shyp

#10

Post by jstreebin » Wed, Jun 05, 2013, 9:22 PM UTC

a_c_s wrote: post #8

bradfa wrote: post #3

I feel that doing an API this way begs for a middle man to make an app that normal people can actually use to do shipping in their business. Why, if I want to ship things to people as my business, would I implement some software myself using this rather than buy an existing offering? Am I missing something? Shipping and accepting credit cards are completely different, I know this API concept works for Stripe, but I f…

Just as with a credit card API, you would integrate the ability to purchase & print postage within another application. I work on an internal company application and it would be great if people could purchase & print postage from within the application.

Exactly -- the underlying APIs are painful to integrate, just like with Stripe.

Drop me a line at j at easypost dot com and I'd love to see how we can help