eBay is testing a same-day delivery service dubbed eBay Now, as the online marketplace looks to rival Amazon.
Available to selected users in San Francisco as part of a limited test, the eBay Now service allows users to receive goods from local retailers the same day – usually, eBay claims, within an hour of placing the order.
The beta test is currently only available as an iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch application, and applies to professional organisations only.
Those purchasing goods from non-participating retailers or second-hand sellers – which still make up the majority of the site’s sellers, despite a growing trend for eBay to focus on providing storefront services for brand-name retailers – will have to wait for delivery.
For those participating in the beta test, eBay is offering a $15 discount off the first order – with the minimum order value to qualify for the same-day delivery service being $25 – and free delivery on the first three orders.
After that, the delivery cost will rise to $5 per order for the duration of the beta – but eBay has not yet indicated if this is the price at which the service will launch.
Last month, Amazon announced plans for a premium ‘same day delivery’ option for its US customers
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The online retail giant is looking to expand its network of US warehouses so it can place its merchandise nearer to big markets and offer same-day delivery to more consumers. The firm currently has 34 in the US.
The company is spending millions of dollars on new distribution centres in the US; in California alone, Amazon plans to spend US$500 million (£325 million) and employ 10,000 new staff.
The scheme means that the online retail giant is moving away from its long-standing business model of locating distribution centres in low-tax regions and is instead introducing a taxable presence within populated areas.
Some critics say that the move towards same-day delivery will pose a real threat to local retailers, many of whom rely heavily on being the only outlets able to offer an instant purchase.
