Ever hear of people to people shipping?

Imagine you are traveling abroad to London and have two suitcases. One is full, and the other is half full. You could probably fit about ten more pounds of clothes in the second bag. Now imagine a marketplace to match someone who wants to get 10 pounds of clothes to the UK with someone with space in their bag?

My first thought was that this sounded dangerous. Remember the airport security asking, did you accept anything from anyone else to take on the flight?

Airmule was in 2015 and built with love in Los Angeles, California; Airmule is a trusted community marketplace for anyone to express affordably ship worldwide with a traveler from a mobile phone or tablet. Whether across the country or the world, Airmule connects people to deliver packages safely anytime, anywhere at low rates and in less time. Airmule is the easiest way for people list their trip to earn money with their extra luggage space.

The folks at Airmule claim several advantages:

1. SPEED – you can get a package delivered in 24-72 hours
2. PRICE – Starts at $4/lb it makes shipping very affordable compared to conventional shipping companies.
3. TRACKING – Send and receive can track the package on their phone
4. INSURANCE – Each package is insured for up to $200, and more is available.
5. DOCUMENTATION: – You can upload documents and photos to make sure everything is delivered in full.
6. GROUP MESSAGING – The sender, receiver, and carrier can communicate together in a group chat.

Security and Airmule 

Airmule takes security and users’ safety seriously. Users verify their identity by scanning their official ID and connecting their social networks. Get to know your sender or traveler through detailed profiles and confirmed reviews.

Travelers verify their identity both online and offline and are required to have a U.S. bank account to receive payment. Senders verify their credit card and home address. Travelers retain the indisputable right to inspect all items before travel. Everything transported is insured against loss or damage. Support is available by phone and email for certain routes. Travelers only receive payment upon recipient confirmed delivery.

An Old Business Made New

This idea is not new. DHL has had people being paid to carry goods and papers to various places in the world in 1969. Here is an article about that service from Tech Crunch.  Airmule has updated the service with apps and technology.

As odd as this business sounds, people get into strangers cars (Uber) and sleep in strangers homes (AirBnB). So giving someone a package to carry in the unused portion of your suitcase, isn’t that strange. It is another example of a business that uses technology to connect buyers and sellers. In this case, the app connects a marketplace just like Dog Vacay and dozens of other businesses.

Can you find a way to connect two groups of people where one has a need, and the other has excess capacity?

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Need help rethinking your business model? Pack your bags and give me a call.

Photo: Screengrab from Airmule website. All rights reserved.