Verizon is testing a same-day delivery service for those folks who need to get their hands on the newest gadgets quickly. The carrier is currently running a pilot program in Philadelphia where customers can purchase a device via Verizon's online store and expect a quick delivery. However, there's a catch with a service like this.
The service will cost Verizon subscribers $20 only for in-stock orders placed by 10 a.m. Monday through Friday, with a definite delivery by 7 p.m. to those in the Philadelphia area.
"For Verizon Wireless it's yet another option for customers, including those eager to replace a lost phone or the student who needs that smartphone before flying back to college," says Verizon spokesman Paul Macchia in a press release.
Verizon also offers an overnight delivery to in-store pick-up.
"We want customers to have multiple options to help them get the most from their wireless experience," says Melanie VanderValk, Verizon Wireless vice president of national distribution in a statement.
Verizon is expected to roll-out its same day delivery service to other markets in the future. These markets include New York, Dallas, San Francisco, and Pittsburgh.
This move by Verizon could help the company compete more effectively with big retail companies such as Amazon, Ebay, Walmart, and even Google, which already provide same-day delivery services.
Ebay debuted its same-day delivery service back in October of 2012 on Apple's iOS devices before expanding further to the desktop this summer. Users in San Francisco, Pittsburgh, New York, and Dallas can go online and make purchases from retailers such as like GNC, Toys 'R Us, Urban Outfitters, Macy's, Walgreens, The Home Depot, Office Depot, Guitar Center, RadioShack, Best Buy, and Target.
"We are using our mobile leadership to lead in multi-screen," says Dane Glasgow, Vice President, Local and Mobile at eBay in a statement on its blog. "We want to make every screen shoppable, and eBay Now is the latest example of how we're bringing that to life."
Google aims to do a similar thing with its Shopping Express service for people in the Bay Area.
