Amazon Home Services launches in the US
Today, online retail giant Amazon announced the launch of its new service that will allow customers to hire qualified plumbers, electricians, and other household professionals, such as cleaners and decorators.
Amazon Home Services launches across major US marketplaces today, with the official press release reading: “In less than 60 seconds, customers can now browse, purchase and schedule hundreds of professional services.”
It works in the same way the rest of the website does, allowing visitors to choose the service they require and outline any specific details such as the number of hours needed or their preferred appointment time.
If Amazon Home Services is popular, and if it is rolled out internationally, the premise is likely to significantly change the way in which home services are bought as customers can order a new bath and select their preferred plumber to install it via one website.
The ‘service pros’, as Amazon call the professional engineers, will all be hand picked by the company and required to undergo background checks and hold relevant licenses and insurance.
Fees will be required upfront and are based on quality, availability and verified reviews, and all sales come with a ‘happiness guarantee’ that enables customers to get a refund if the work is unsatisfactory.
The model aims to prevent over-pricing as Amazon take a 20% cut for standard services and money is not transferred until a job is confirmed as complete.
As tends to happen with Amazon launches, customers in the UK could expect to see a UK-based version of Amazon Home Services in as little as six months, which is generally the amount of time the company takes to gauge performance of a new feature before rolling it out overseas.