Same-Day Delivery Wars Heat Up With Google, eBay Now

Is same-day delivery becoming mainstream?

It appears that way after announcements by Google and eBay this weekend, as both commerce giants expand their same-day services in what’s becoming a trend.

Google landed the first salvo in the same-day delivery wars, announcing Thursday morning that they would begin testing their Google Shopping Express service in San Francisco and select other California cities. According to TechCrunch, the program is rolling out with an impressive group of merchant partners, including: Target, Walgreens, Staples, American Eagle, Toys“R”Us/Babies“R”Us, Office Depot and more.

Using its Analyst Day as a platform to announce its own program on Thursday, eBay revealed that its eBay Now service will expand to Dallas and Chicago as well. TechCrunch notes that eBay Now first launched in August 2012 in San Francisco, then expanded to New York in November.

Amazon Prime kicked off the quick delivery phenomenon, offering a very popular $79.99 service that gives users free two-day delivery and next-day delivery for an additional $3.99. In December 2012 Amazon threw its hat in the same-day delivery ring as well, with Walmart and some others also entering the competition.

With Google and eBay Now, the same-day delivery battle is intensified, although the two companies are using very different pricing structures with their platforms. TechCrunch reports that Google is still working on its pricing strategy, but that it may be similar to Amazon at $64-$69 a year. On the other hand, eBay Now is taking a per-order approach, offering $5 same-day shipping on orders of $25 or more.

Regardless of the differences in strategy, it’s clear that same-day delivery is becoming a must-have among major retailers in the U.S.

What do you think? Is same-day delivery something you use frequently when you shop? Would you rather pay an up-front yearly cost, or on a per-transaction basis? Let us know in the comments below.

To read more on eBay Now, click here. And to read more on Google Shopping Express, click here.