Business Agreement between eBay and USPS

To Whom It May Concern:

This is a request under the Freedom of Information Act. I hereby request the following records:

I'm requesting any and all information regarding a contract between eBay and USPS that enables the corporation to offer prepaid USPS postage at a rate marked above calculated shipping costs as defined by the shipping calculator on the USPS website.

eBay is able to offer postage that its users can purchase and print at home through its website. Compared to a package of identical weight as measured by the USPS shipping calculator, eBay consistently overcharges its sellers. Furthermore, eBay offers shipping services such as media mail that are unavailable for online purchase directly through the USPS website. Given that the USPS is funded by taxpayers, those same taxpayers are owed transparency regarding business agreements made by the USPS that appear to solely benefit a privately owned corporation.

I also request that, if appropriate, fees be waived as I believe this request is in the public interest. The requested documents will be made available to the general public free of charge as part of the public information service at MuckRock.com, processed by a representative of the news media/press and is made in the process of news gathering and not for commercial usage.

In the event that fees cannot be waived, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 20 business days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Ryan Swanzey