Mobile delivery apps just keep on coming and we love every bit of it. A company called, Shyp, has recently disrupted the mail courier space to simplify the shipping and return industry – No more waiting in lines at your local Fedex, USPS, or UPS stores! Shyp is making it simple to ship out packages and handle returns, all from the convenience of your home, or store. Below we will discuss how Shyp works, how to use their mobile app, and discuss reviews. Let’s get started!
Getting started with Shyp
Shyp makes it easy to handle your shipments, or returns by using their mobile app right at the convenience of your own home. The mobile app is available in both Apple iOS and Android.
1. It’s simple to get started. Simply click “add a shipment”, then choose your saved destination(s) or search for your street address. *Currently shyp is only being offered in San Francisco, New York, and Miami (coming soon to L.A.).
2. You will need to choose whether you would like to ship an item, or return an item. You will also need to enter the address you would like the item to be picked up from.
3. Once you choose your address, the next step is to take a photo of the item you would like shipped. Once this step is complete, you will need to choose shipping options.
4. Now it’s time to choose shipping options. You can choose either economy, or express shipping.
At that point, it can take 3-7 days if you choose from their “economy” option, or you can expedite the package by choosing “express.” The express option can cost anywhere from 3-6x the cost of economy. By choosing the express option, this gives you a bit more predictability with their guaranteed delivery date on a specific day.
4a. Now you want to get estimated shipping costs. Click the blue button and a shipping estimator will appear.
Shyp has a handy shipping estimation tool that will give you an idea of what shipping would run. Simply enter in the height, width, depth, and weight of your package and the Shyp app will provide you with an estimate.
5. You are almost done! Click the green button below to have a “Hero” come out and pick up your shipment.
Once this is clicked you will be able to monitor your mail courier and see where he/she is on the map. Usually it takes 10-15 minutes for pick up.
What does Shyp charge for shipping?
In our case, I was sending a book, so the shipping cost was estimated at $6+$5 pickup fee, totaling $11. The final cost is determined once Shyp gets the package to the warehouse and they measure and weigh the package at their facility.
They typically compare shipping costs with the other large couriers and get you the lowest of the choices. Seems a bit steep to send out a book, but do the cost analysis and determine if your time is more valuable than paying the higher rate of shipping.
Does it make sense to send one item with Shyp?
There isn’t much value in using Shyp for one item. The true value is sending a volume of products at once because you get charged once to pick them up. The sweet spot for Shyp looks like smaller boutiques with an online presence that needs help with packing and shipping.
How does Shyp handle logistics?
Apparently the Shyp Heroes are stationed in their primary zones and they handle all pickups in their respective territories. So once the Hero picks up your item, instead of going back to the warehouse to drop it off, Shyp has drivers orbiting around to meet with the Hero and initiate the hand off. The drivers subsequently drop the packages off at the warehouse and prepare them for shipment to one of the large mail couriers.
Shyp’s method of transportation may vary based on the city’s density, traffic, courier availability, weather, and shipment size. For example, in New York bicycles seem to be one of the primary sources of pick up, whereas San Francisco you will see a combination of cars, trucks, bikes, etc.
Will Shyp pick up my returns?
Returns are currently free to pick up. Shyp looks at returns as an acquisition channel to get customer loyalty. They do not make money on returns at this point, so it’s free for you to use them for returns.
For Business or Personal
Shyp is great news for folks that sell on Ebay, Etsy, or have their own home based business. Using Shyp can save a ton of time, and offer the convenience of streamlining your shipping efforts. I really see huge value in reliability. How many of you have had your package come up missing when you drop it off at your local mail box store? Shyp will get the item fulfilled and send it to one of the major couriers after your package is ready to go.
Shyp Reviews
By looking at the reviews at the Apple store for Shyp, they seem to be pretty well received thus far. Early on there was a gentleman complaining about the mobile app flow. Apparently before one of the app updates, there was a more lengthy process of onboarding, and at the end of a lengthy signup Shyp would determine if they would be able to deliver in your area, or not.
Most of the reviews are very positive. In version 1.86 dated January, 30, 2015, Shyp improved the shipping options telling you immediately if they can ship from your city, or not.
Final Thoughts
We feel this Shyp app can be a great adjunct to the current mail courier services. We will see how they weather the competition in the coming months. I am sure the other major mail couriers are plotting ways to enhance their customer experience and win us over. Either way, it’s fantastic news for consumers and businesses alike. This industry was ripe for disruption and I hope to see Shyp continue to grow and really take market share and loyalty!
Hope you enjoyed this article, and we would love to hear your feedback down below.
HAPPY SHOPPING!
[For more tech reviews, click here! If you’re in the San Francisco area, check out Vint – You can read Julia’s review here –> “Vint – San Francisco’s Answer to On-Demand Personal Training“.]
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