Ok, from reading what was commented here, AuctionDrop may be an easy place to drop off your items. But the attitude they have towards customers’ request for accommodations is unacceptable. I DO NOT RECOMMEND BUYING FROM THIS COMPANY!!

Here is the e-mail I sent to their executives.

To whom it may concern:

This was advertised on your site, but we did not receive the service that we were expecting. Because we missed an appointment, we could not pick up something that we bought and paid in full via money order.

What happened?
The TV that we could not pick up (due to unexpected circumstances) was put back into the warehouse. This is very poor planning. I’m sorry he (Lang Ngo) did not call to say he could not make the scheduled pick-up. But what upsets the both of us was that they put the TV away and told us we can’t pick it up until next week.

This is not superior service. Why do we feel strongly this way? Because we’ve never heard of a business that takes forever to allow CUSTOMER PICK-UP and would put our item away immediately b/c we missed our schedule. Could have just kept it out for another day. Why put it away immediately when you know you’ll go through the trouble of having to pull it out again? It’s just not efficient.

What would you think if we put in our school newspaper and all over that AUCTIONDROP.COM is unaccommodating and has poor customer service and all they worry about is their business only? I think that BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT techs should help re-evaluate the design and operation style of this company.

Your company’s mission was suppose to offer:
“the convenience of over 3,800 drop-off locations nationwide” and to operate” a large-scale processing center staffed with professional photographers, researchers specializing in a wide range of items, and skilled shippers � all working together to deliver detailed, accurate listings and superior service.”

Not sure if there is anything your company can do for us except figure out a better way to ensure satisfaction and easier customer pick-up.

Sincerely,
a dissatisfied customer.

http://news.com.com/eBay+puts+its+stamp+on+shipping/2100-1038_3-5247921.html?tag=nefd.hed

“In a similar move, AuctionDrop, a company that helps people list, sell and ship items sold via eBay’s auctions, signed a deal with delivery giant UPS earlier this month. The deal enables people to drop off items to be sold on eBay at any UPS store in the United States. The items are packed and sent to AuctionDrop free of charge. In turn, AuctionDrop takes a commission on any it successfully sells on eBay.” – News.com

I investigated a local franchise and came to much the same conclusion, that it was a fairly marginal & high exertion prospect with plenty of opportunities for disintermediation.

At the time I thought that potentially existing pawn shops, service (gas) stations or even supermarkets could become the dropoff points.

However the news with UPS does make me realise that there’s a better fit with our national postal service.

It’s an interesting model & has some great potential if the red tape is navigable.

Brad Feld has a behind the scenes venture capital perspective on how AuctionDrop went from five local stores to 3,400 locations nationwide over night without franchising: Within a year of being founded, AuctionDrop had five stores and had run over…

I’m a fan of mixing the bricks with the bytes … I guess I see it as a means of survival but I suspect it’s a plus to both the bricks and the bytes since I don’t think people are going away and both need customers.