HUBBED & eBay partnership expands with marketplace returns alternative

HUBBED, the Australian parcel collection service, has today announced its expanded partnership with eBay. The pair are currently in partnership with the Click & Pick program, an alternative click and collect service for ecommerce merchants who don’t have physical storefronts. This new returns portal program provides customers with a convenient, cost-effective and sustainable returns solution that doesn’t rely on traditional methods. HUBBED is founded on these principals of convenience, choice and control.

“Convenience is the overriding factor people consider when it comes to picking up and returning parcels,” said David McLean, Founder and CEO of HUBBED. “Our recent research revealed 61 percent of consumers prefer to return their parcels to a point that is close to home and at a time that suits them via a Pick-Up Drop-Off (PUDO) network. HUBBED utilises key local and global carriers, including CouriersPlease, DHL, FedEx, Sendle, Team Global Express, TNT, and UPS”.

The returns portal expands on HUBBED’s existing PUDO network offerings to make eBay returns a streamlined process. A buyer creates a return in eBay’s returns portal, HUBBED can be selected from the list of service options, and the buyer then drops off their return parcel at their preferred location on their own schedule.

HUBBED CEO and Founder David McLean noted that busy schedules  “eBay connects thousands of buyers and sellers across Australia. Christmas is one of the biggest selling periods for eCommerce providers and, while some purchases are well received, there are a lot of unwanted gifts in need of return especially in the months of January and February when we see an influx.“

The launch of this new returns portal program comes as the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) reported that 11- 13 percent of the Christmas spend could be returned or exchanged. According to the ARA,  $2.5 billion to $3 billion worth of Christmas gifts is expected to be exchanged or returned. “Exchanges are typically far more common than refunds in the Christmas period because it’s about finding a more suitable gift, rather than a cash refund,” ARA CEO Paul Zahra said.

Marie Griffiths, Head of Shipping at eBay Australia said, “We are thrilled to expand our partnership with HUBBED and provide our buyers and sellers with another option for returns. Customer satisfaction is our number one priority and we are constantly looking at ways to improve our customer experience.

“Along with HUBBED’s Click & Pick, adding the drop-off returns for eBay buyers will create an enhanced shopping experience with a convenient, secure and sustainable returns option to accommodate busy schedules.”

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