This transportation company started in 2012. It had high hopes but closed in 2014. The market just did not need its services.

General Information

• Category: Transportation
• Started: 2012
• Failure Cause: No Market Need
• Closed: 2014

Description

BufferBox was a Canadian start-up that Google bought in 2012. It introduced a clever way for people to pick up their packages.

Customers could send deliveries to special kiosks, so they never missed their shipments. When a package arrived, BufferBox sent an email with a unique code.

This code let customers collect their items whenever it suited them. The service operated in the Greater Toronto Area and San Francisco.

Cause of Failure

In February 2014, Google decided to shut down the BufferBox service. Customers could still send packages until March 31 of that year. All items needed to be picked up by April 21.

In a message to users, Google explained the shift in focus to other projects. The BufferBox team participated in multiple Google Shopping initiatives with their tech and ideas.

For example, Google had already started Google Shopping Express in San Francisco. This same-day delivery service later became part of Google Shopping. Another option in the USA is Amazon Locker Delivery, which is still available today.

FAQs

– What was BufferBox?

BufferBox was a Canadian start-up. It offered a service for receiving packages at special kiosks. This helped customers avoid missed deliveries.

– Why did BufferBox close?

In 2014, Google shut down BufferBox. The reason was a lack of market demand and a shift in focus to other projects like Google Shopping Express.

– How did BufferBox work?

Customers could send packages to BufferBox kiosks. Once a package arrived, an email with a unique code was sent. This code allowed easy pickup at any time.

– Where was BufferBox available?

The service mostly operated in the Greater Toronto Area and San Francisco.

– What happened to packages after the service closed?

Customers could send packages to BufferBox until March 31, 2014. All items needed pickup by April 21 of that same year.