Amazon Local Services will allow customers to order plumbers and mechanics alongside books and boxsets

In the midst of this week’s Black Friday madness, Amazon quietly launched a brand new site for service providers.

 

Instead of cut-price plasma screen TVs, Amazon Local Services puts you in touch with those who can put one back together again following a ruckus at Tesco in Edmonton.

 

Amazon Local Services was launched in New York, Seattle and Los Angeles this week, offering consumers the chance to order the skills of a plumber or a mechanic alongside their books and TV boxsets.

 

The business is described as a “new and simple way to buy professional services from pros such as plumbers, auto mechanic and yoga instructors.

 

“We've hand-picked some of the best pros in your neighbourhood and require them all to be licensed, insured and background-checked,” says Amazon.

 

Customers can also peruse Yelp reviews of each serviceman offering either in-store or in-home services, and leave feedback of their own.

 

The site already includes a wide range of professional services, from games console set-up to door knob installation, sports equipment assembly to chandelier installation.

 

 

Amazon offers professionals the chance to “get in front of customers” by having their services alongside related products: “For example, if you install car audio, your services would be listed alongside car audio components. This expands your reach to customers browsing related products in your area on Amazon.com.”

 

Businesses must pay $50 for a background check before their services are approved by Amazon. The e-commerce site then takes a 20 per cent cut of any sale up to $1,000 and 15 per cent for any higher. 

 

The venture will see Amazon pose a challenge to sites such as Google, Craigslist and Gumtree, which currently serve as go-to destinations for specific professional services. 

 

According to CBS, Amazon will soon introduce the service to a host of other cities including Atlanta, Miami, Houston, Green Bay, Wisconsin and Lexington Kentucky.

 

Amazon did not comment when asked if Local Services would soon be coming to the UK.