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Skip the Post Office, Use Shyp

blog.geteasypost.com

31–36 of 36 posts

Re: Skip the Post Office, Use Shyp

#31

Another downside to your app is that it's on the iPhone platform, and I use Blackberry. If you had a way for me to use a normal digital camera with my PC it would help get me on board. There was some other new service here on HN recently that was called 'Sold' for selling stuff but it only worked on a certain platform I didn't have a device for, too- so I guess its not uncommon for startups to exclude whole market se…

I don't think it's a matter of them choosing to not work with Blackberry users, it's a matter of trade offs between time and resources. As a startup, you may only have time to build one great app for one platform and iOS was the chosen one.

To come to that decision, it was probably a factor of what you know and also some insight into the customer base. For example, maybe iOS users tend to be more likely to pay a premium for convenience or that in San Francisco, iOS penetration is higher than Android, etc etc.

If the product picks up traction, I will bet that their next move is to port to Android, then web, then maybe ... maybe windows phone and blackberry.

Re: Skip the Post Office, Use Shyp

#32

Earlier quoted context omitted.

By being profitable on every transaction from day 1. I can't speak to other shipping startups but we make good margins after paying our delivery drivers. If this works in SF it will most likely work in other major cities. Shipping stuff sucks everywhere.

Are you seeing more traction with in city deliver (so basically courier on demand for individuals) vs. people who want to eliminate the hassle of shipping out of the city?

It's been 90/10 shipping out of city.

Re: Skip the Post Office, Use Shyp

#33

Another downside to your app is that it's on the iPhone platform, and I use Blackberry. If you had a way for me to use a normal digital camera with my PC it would help get me on board. There was some other new service here on HN recently that was called 'Sold' for selling stuff but it only worked on a certain platform I didn't have a device for, too- so I guess its not uncommon for startups to exclude whole market se…

We have a solution! We are launching with both a web and iPhone app. Our initial users demanded a way to access from the web. Usually from their office or when they are putting together their ecommerce orders.

Re: Skip the Post Office, Use Shyp

#34

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.

Glad to hear! Right now we're slowly taking on beta users, but we'll be ramping up significantly over the next while. Looking forward to having you on board and getting your feedback!

This is an awesome idea. There is room for other shipping companies for sure. I hate using ups, always late over priced. Bring on A new company and lool forward to trying it out!

Re: Skip the Post Office, Use Shyp

#35

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'd have to disagree, simply using the smallest priority flat rate box possible was typically the best option for me. What would be cool is if you provided the same kind of service that paypal does for shipping (print and prepare labels etc.) as an addon / plugin to shopify or other shopping cart systems.

Flat rate is rarely the best option unless your item is very heavy. Check out Ordoro for printing labels. I think they integrate into shopify. Not our business.

Thanks for mentioning Ordoro (https://www.ordoro.com/). Yes, we have integration with Shopify and a few other carts. And we can batch print shipping labels for USPS, Fedex, UPS (more shipping integrations coming soon).

Re: Skip the Post Office, Use Shyp

#36

Earlier quoted context omitted.

We hope so! This is only v1 of our service. We will be adding UPS, Fedex and OnTrac support shortly. We will find the fastest or cheapest option with all supporting carriers on the fly. Size of the box is also a very important factor. Using the free USPS boxes, it can be double or even triple the cost of a tight fitting box. Size does matters ;) We currently have 20 different sized boxes in our warehouse. We are tryi…

I'd have to disagree, simply using the smallest priority flat rate box possible was typically the best option for me. What would be cool is if you provided the same kind of service that paypal does for shipping (print and prepare labels etc.) as an addon / plugin to shopify or other shopping cart systems.

You can use EasyPost for that as well. Everything from rates, address verification, to buying the labels
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