Internet users can already send each other real-world gifts and letters without leaving the comfort of their online home. While such applications typically require a physical mailing address for the item's destination, however, users of UK-based SendSocial can send packages with nothing more than the recipient's email address or Twitter ID.
To begin, users simply tell SendSocial the Twitter ID or email address of the friend they'd like to surprise with a package. SendSocial then sends a request to the intended recipient to get their approval. Only if that person agrees to accept the delivery does SendSocial get their address details; it does not, however, share that information with the person on the sending end. The sender, meanwhile, is notified that the mailing can proceed, and pays by debit or credit card. He or she can then print a barcoded—but address-free—mailing label to affix to the package, which gets collected and delivered within 5 working days by myHermes, SendSocial's delivery partner. Pricing ranges from GBP 3.99 to GBP 7.99, depending on package size.
Following its Twitter-based conception, SendSocial is now in beta. It's currently available only within the UK; however, the company is working on expanding into other areas. Time to help foster some new OFF=ON connections in *your* neck of the social woods...? (Related: Buy a real beer for a Facebook friend — Real candy for virtual friends.)
Website: www.sendsocial.com
Contact: info@sendsocial.com
What's the point??
Do you really want to send someone a gift or parcel to someone who is a "Friend" who will not share their address with you? That's a really good friend!!! Soemtimes web applications are developed just for the sake of development - this is one of those cases. Just because its on the web, doesn't necessarily make it a practical application.
It doesn't make as much sense to me for sending things to "friends", but it struck me that this would be a great service for people who participate in things like craft swaps, etc, online, who are reluctant to give out their personal information. Also perhaps for kids with online penpals, just in case they're really pedophiles...?
Unlike the haters above I think this is fundamental and awesome. Services currently stress that they "protect" users email addresses, why not do the same for physical. Many practical applications. Here's one (there's more) you work in PR and want to get your product in front of a blogger - ask for an address via send social. There'll be lower resistance because there's less risk on their part - you can't mail spam them because if you want to send again you have to ask again. Mainly though - these days Anything which allows people to do more with less will succeed. Post to someone without needing their address?Genius.