A ride-hailing firm has joined other businesses in providing post-office journeys for customers.
Uber Technologies UBER raise; green up pointing triangle would want its drivers to pick up return packages from your door.
According to the corporation, the service was launched on Wednesday to assist consumers who find it inconvenient or time-consuming to transport return merchandise. The startup intends to carve a niche in the expanding package-return sector.
Uber stated that refunds will be $5 or less. The firm already has a ride-share driver fleet that it intends to utilize to transport goods to the post office or a UPS or FedEx location.
Companies like as Uber and DoorDash are attempting to monetise the inconvenient journey to the post office. Since the epidemic began and internet shopping grew, more consumers have returned products. According to the National Retail Federation, a retail trade group, online buyers returned more than $212 billion in merchandise last year.
According to DoorDash, it began making package-return pickups in January. Walmart has announced the availability of at-home return pickup for Walmart+ membership program participants.
Shyp, a parcel-delivery business, was dubbed the “Uber for shipping” until it went bankrupt in 2018 due to a drop in demand. In the ensuing years, several businesses have risen to take Shyp’s position.
Based in San Francisco Uber previously attempted to become a package delivery service. In 2015, the business launched Rush, a service in which drivers picked up return products in certain locations and performed same-day deliveries for specified stores. Following stiff competition from startups and larger companies, the firm subsequently closed Rush.
Uber returned to the courier sector in 2020, offering to send items for companies as well as person-to-person delivery. Uber said on Wednesday that its package-return service will be accessible in dozens of cities, including Chicago, Los Angeles, and portions of New York.
According to Uber, each parcel must be less than $100 in value and already wrapped. Customers may use the Uber and Uber Eats apps to monitor their shipments from door to post office.
After years of deficits, Uber earned its first operational profit in the second quarter of this year. The company’s primary operations of ride hailing and food delivery saw significant growth.
In recent years, Uber has expanded its delivery services. In July, the firm announced a partnership with Domino’s Pizza to distribute its pies via Uber Eats and Postmates. Uber has partnered with robotics startups to deliver meals using self-driving cars.
