Don’t be surprised next time you pull into the shopping plaza at White Lake and Dixie and you don’t see Mail Boxes Etc., but rather The UPS Store.
As part of a national re-branding campaign, Mail Boxes Etc. (MBE) has changed its name to The UPS Store.
Owners Dave and Karen Drapinski are still there to assist you and their wide range of services are still available, but the store will now offer new low shipping prices direct from UPS.
‘This change benefits everyone,? Dave Drapinski said. ‘We get the power of one of the most respected and recognized brands in the world and our customers receive low shipping prices direct from UPS, right in their neighborhood.?
Drapinski stressed area residents no longer will have to make the drive to Pontiac when they want to use UPS shipping.
‘Now consumers don’t have to go out of their way or wait in long lines to get great shipping rates.?
And, Drapinski, who has owned the Clarkston MBE since Dec. 1, 1998, said instead of waiting at home for a shipment or pick up people can drop off or pick up items at the Clarkston store.
MBE made the official change April 7, one of more than 3,000 MBE’s, out of 3,300 U.S. locations, to do so.
The re-brand is the result of a year of testing and a month-long series of franchise area meetings across the country.
Since UPS acquired MBE in 2001, they have been working on maximizing their services, combining MBE’s expertise in retail business with UPS’s expertise in shipping.
Beginning last fall, MBE centers in six markets across the country tested multiple branding concepts along with UPS direct pricing.
According to results, customers responded favorably. In December, UPS-branded stores, on average, saw a 70 percent increase in shipping from the previous year.
Following the study, UPS announced Feb. 10 the plan to allow the owners of MBE’s to re-brand.
Together The UPS Store and Mail Boxes Etc. — MBE has more than 1,000 stores outside the U.S. — comprise the world’s largest franchise network of retail shipping, postal and business service centers.
Physical changes to the Clarkston store, including the unveiling of the first redesign of the UPS logo in more than 40 years, will take place over the next few months. (The national re-branding is scheduled for completion by September.) Drapinski said he is planning an open house once the new outdoor sign and interior fixtures are installed.
The range of services at the Clarkston UPS store include full-service packaging; mailbox and postal services; black and white, color and wide format copies; business services such as cards and rubber stamps; passport photos; document finishing; faxing; and office and packaging supplies.
Drapinski, said, ‘We think this will revolutionize the way people ship packages. We’re excited about the opportunity to provide our customers with the same convenience and world-class customer service they’re used to getting from MBE, now with new low UPS pricing.?
The store’s hours will remain the same. They are open Monday through Thursday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The UPS Store is located at 7111 Dixie Hwy at White Lake. Call (248) 922-2795 for more information.