We’ve got a lot to talk about.

In the meanwhile, I’m sending you my warmest wishes for a wonderful holiday. I’m looking forward to spending a successful 2010 with you!

Uncle Joe

The US Postal Service is “reinforcing the value of Priority Mail as the right product at the right time,” according to Robert Bernstock, president, Mailing and Shipping Services. “We have put together a range of creative and innovative products and services for our customers.”

Among those creative innovations are a stable price on the postage for small Flat Rate (FR) Priority parcels, one of the best values available in shipping today. In fact, the FR envelope will see a tiny decrease.

The domestic Priority FR Envelope will decrease from $4.95 to $4.90. The small FR Box will remain $4.95. A new FR 9.5 x 12.5″ padded envelope will be available to “Commercial Plus” shippers (these are high-volume commercial mailers).

Overall, there will be a 3.3% price increase on Priority Mail. New prices will also bring an increase to Express, Global Express Guaranteed, Express Mail Internatoinal, Priority Mail International, Parcel Select and Parcel Return Service. All pricing will change Jan. 4, 2010.

Other services like First Class, Parcel Post and service products will remain unchanged in 2010, according to the USPS. This includes a regular First Class stamp, remaining 44 cents for 2010.

Online shipping customers will continue to see discounts over these retail rates. For example, Priority Mail will have a 5.7% savings; Express Mail, 5%; International Priority, 5%; International Express, 8%; and Global Express Guaranteed, 10%.

A complete rundown of 2010 pricing can be found on this (PDF) document.

The launch was reported by Reuters.

The debut edition includes a nice interview with Laurie DeAgostino, one of the nicest people and best sellers eBay has to offer, here: Link

I’m not a Vogue or GQ reader, digital or otherwise. My midwestern sensibilities don’t afford over-hyped, over-priced “fashion” items any more than my contorted wallet does; 40% off of way too much is still too much where I live. But it’s well done, and it’s something that might bring some iPhone/Blackberry-toting spenders into the site, so I say, “woo-hoo!”

The media blitz is said to use print, interactive online ads, and TV spots to remind shoppers, “Come to think of it, eBay.” The tagline is meant to spark the idea that while searching for gifts shoppers should also remember to check eBay. Even the eBay logo has the lights going on in an “ah-ha!” moment of realization as the tagline appears in the commercial.

The first spot has a comedian recount his wife’s proud moment as she reveals a sexy designer dress and her big savings score: “It’s last season’s, so I got it for 40% off.” When he makes a naughty quip that breaks her mood, he’s quickly brought back in line. The spot’s humor is fun and equates happiness to finding high-quality goods at bargain rates. More commercials have not yet been publicly released, but have been suggested.

Other ads are said to also use a light, funny message to sell eBay as a destination for great deals on desirable new-but-dated merchandise. One online ad reportely promises that “Last year’s music player will still play this year’s music.” A fashion-oriented print piece featuring a cute handbag riffs that eBay shoppers can “Get the same new bag as celebrities, with money left over for a tiny dog.”

Also lending support to the campaign will be a travelling “pop up” store making appearances across the country. It will showcase a wide-ranging sample of the new-in-box merchandise being offered on eBay for ready purchase, according to reports.

Overall, the intent of the campaign is to “shift the buyer perception of what eBay is today,” according to Laurie Norrington, President of Marketplace Operations. She told the WSJ that the company felt it was “time to go out and re-engage consumers” with the message of a changed eBay. The reformulated eBay promises more new, instantly available Fixed Price inventory over the slower bid-priced used goods traditionally offered in its auctions.

Early criticisms question the tagline as being too soft and treating eBay as a shopping afterthought, too late to do any good. Other objections center on the campaign’s focus on the secondary market goods typically offered by its bevy of special-interest mass retailers. These “Diamond” resellers are popularly believed to receive special placement advantages and enormous discounts in all levels of fees – even free services altogether – in exchange for heaping millions of products on the site and funneling sales dollars through Paypal. Marketing that favors these select mega-retail outlets may do little to improve sales for smaller sellers that lack the inventory depth, preferential search and cost savings, some critics warn.

I’m reminded that “a rising tide lifts all boats.” Anything that brings a bump in traffic to the site brings a bump in traffic to the site.  Of course it makes sense for small sellers to offer new and easily shipped merch during the holidays.  Remember too that gifts can also be an antique fishing reel… or the long-missing pieces of Mom’s china service you broke when you were a kid… or some great books… and you bet, some great tie dye from Uncle Joe. The influx of visitors arriving on the message of “Come to think of it, eBay” will be there when they come to think “I wonder if there’s any good deals here on xyz?”

The focus will be on Fixed Price-type offers. Gift buyers are not typically going to wait through an auction competing for a bargain they may lose in the end. Add peak holiday shipping delays, and a successful auction purchase could easily take three weeks from first bid to delivery. No savvy shopper will dare miss Christmas trying to make that work! Instead, look at using Fixed Price listings with “Best Offer” to allow hagglers to seek a deal and get that gift! Bring your auctions back on the 26th to capture the interest of bargain hunters looking to stretch their new money.

Overall, it looks and feels good to have eBay revving up the marketing engine. It has allowed its critics and competitors to asume ownership of its space in its absence. A good media blast will help cast eBay once again as a legitimate, serious player in online commerce. I’m excited to see the sleeping giant wake up and rejoin the party.

It’s about time, eBay.

The quiet little message tag floats over the eBay Blogs, offering a link to the full closure announcement. Any content a blogger would like to save needs to be pulled off the site before the close date.