Orbit Drop reports 2005 revenue of $1.7 million

Revenue at Orbit Drop Inc., a chain of eBay drop-off stores, reached $1.69 million for the year ended Dec. 31, 2005, up from $208,000 in the prior year, the company said yesterday.

Orbit Drop has five stores, up from one a year ago, says Dain Turner, director of franchise operations. All but the original store, which is company-owned, are franchises, he adds.

Orbit Drop also reported that expenses last year rose to $1.53 million, up from $126,000, leaving it with a net profit of $161,412.

Orbit Drop is one of about 20 companies that have launched in the past few years to serve the market for eBay sellers who would rather drop off a product and pay to have it listed on eBay.com. One of Orbit Drop’s largest competitors, QuikDrop, which operates about 90 eBay drop-off services, says it has processed more than $25 million in eBay auction sales since launching in early 2003.