MailPac Services Limited, which lays claim to a client base of 10,000, is planning to provide service users with their own credit card for online shopping in 2010.

The Internet shopping company just opened its third office in Jamaica, and sees the potential to grow its client accounts by giving shoppers the tool essential to online transactions.

Colleen Phillips, managing director of MailPac - a subfranchise of Aeropost International Services Inc, the Miami-based mail and package delivery outfit - says within the first half of the 2010, the company will debut its own Aeropost-branded eshopping MasterCard, available to anyone who wants to shop online.

Currently, clients make their orders in person at MailPac offices, after selecting from shopping sites on a bank of computers available to customers, a system that confines business to specific working hours.

credit-card system

The credit-card system will allow clients to place orders at their convenience, any time of day, Phillips said. But its use will be confined to just that. The cards will carry no magnetic strip on the back, and so, cannot be used for cash withdrawals or direct purchases from merchants, as with other MasterCard products.

"It will be strictly for online purchases and is so designed to prevent any money-laundering concerns. With this card, our clients will be empowered to make purchases at their convenience and not be limited by our opening hours," said Phillips.

According to the managing director, the expansion of the company's operations to Ocho Rios will serve "a sizeable expatriate community, as well as the various small to medium-size businesses based in Ocho Rios with limited access to such services and the need for just-in-time inventory".

growing sales

MailPac anticipates that it will grow sales from Jamaica by 10 per cent in a year with the new office.

"The growth in electronic commerce is explosive. As more and more people have access to the Internet, the motivation to purchase online has grown exponentially. Additionally, the online shopping experience has matured, making Internet shopping easier, safer, and more accessible," said Phillips.

"The residents of Ocho Rios and the surrounding areas will now have access to products that are not sold locally, products that are hard to get, extensive inventories, attractive offers and sales, and the ease of shopping right from your home."

geographical positioning

The Ocho Rios locale in St Ann is geographically positioned, she said, to serve clients in the parishes of St Mary and Trelawny, which flank it.

MailPac Services' other two branches are in Kingston and Montego Bay, with the majority of business done in Kingston.

The service facilitates Internet shopping by providing its members a United States address, as many US companies will only ship orders domestically.

"MailPac, by providing a Miami address, enables anyone looking for that great offer online, or a unique product, the ability to bring it into Jamaica at a lower cost than a traditional courier company," said Phillips.

MailPac has added an online shopping service in which members and non-members can make purchases online using the company's credit card, a move, it said, that has resulted in an increase in sales.

"Our largest growth has been in this area for 2009," said Phillips.

Currently, the membership fee for opening an account is $3,630, which allows users access to two overseas addresses, one for mail magazines and catalogues, and the other to receive packages.

Walk-in account clients pay no membership fees, but for them, freight charges are higher and they have no access to the mail, magazine and catalogue service.

For regulars, the charge for one pound of freight is US$6 per pound and US$9 for two pounds. For walk-in clients, the charge is US$8 for one pound and U$$11 for two pounds.

Items frequently purchased include computers, computer accessories, electronics, clothes, shoes and books.

MailPac began 11 years ago in February 1998 and operated from a small office on Holborn Road in St Andrew. Its headquarters are now at 109 Old Hope Road in St Andrew. Company directors are Andrew Phillips, chairman and CEO; Colleen Phillips, managing director; and Mark Gonzales, general manager.

avia.collinder@gleanerjm.com