It seems like Amazon never wants you to click away from their site again. From its music and video streaming services to its unlimited photo storage, the retail giant is putting its fingers in a lot of pies. Now it’s launching Amazon Local Services, according to The Wall Street Journal. Instead of having to search Angie’s List or Yelp for a plumber to install the faucet you just purchased from Amazon, the new service will connect customers in New York, Los Angeles, and Seattle with local handymen who can tackle the job.
The difference between simply finding your own repairman and going through Amazon is that the company is offering a money-back guarantee on the contract work. In addition, the service providers must undergo background checks, performed by Amazon. While the fees for the check are waived until January 31, 2015, after that date, anyone hoping to do in-home work will have to pay $40 for the screening. In the grand tradition of Amazon, customer reviews of the service providers will show up on the site.
Once a provider passes the background check, it will pay a monthly subscription fee, starting June, 2015. Amazon will also get 20 percent of services fees under $1,000 and 15 percent those over, per its website.
Right now, most of the services available fall under the handyman designation — plumbers, electricians, and the like — as well as auto repair and computer, home theater, and appliance specialists. However, Amazon hopes to expand into other services, like yoga teachers and music lessons, in the future.
