Ebay launches free delivery with Myer, Target, Chemist Warehouse

Ebay Australia has officially launched its new membership program, Ebay Plus, offering free delivery and returns on 15 million products from tens of thousands of retailers, including Myer, Target and Chemist Warehouse.

Ebay Plus members also get access to exclusive deals, such as up to 60 per cent off of popular items, early access to new products, a dedicated customer support team and collect double Flybuys points on all Ebay Plus purchases.

The membership program, which went live last Friday, follows the introduction of Ebay’s Guaranteed Delivery, which provides faster and more precise delivery times for shoppers.

The online marketplace now guarantees delivery in four days or less on millions of items, with the option to search for and filter items by delivery speed.

The changes come as Amazon is reportedly gearing up to launch its own membership program, Amazon Prime, in Australia in mid-2018. With Prime, Amazon customers gain access to free shipping, including 2-day and in some cases same-day delivery, among other benefits.

However, while Prime now costs US$119 (approximately A$160) annually, Ebay Plus costs only $49 for 12 months.

According to research commissioned by Ebay in May, Australians spend over $71 on delivery each year, with 8 per cent spending in excess of $200.

Ebay Australia & New Zealand managing director Tim MacKinnon said the introduction of Ebay Plus is a game-changer for Aussie shoppers and will address the pain-point of delivery costs.

“We know our customers love the value and convenience of online shopping but our research shows the cost of delivery can stack up over time,” MacKinnon said.

“Ebay Plus is the ultimate shopping membership. It’s like getting free delivery from your local shopping centre without leaving home. You sign up to Ebay Plus and receive free delivery and returns on 15 million items from tens of thousands of Aussie retailers including Myer, Target and Chemist Warehouse.