Amazon launches Local Finds for customers to buy and sell used goods

Key Highlights

• Amazon.in customers can now sell their used and new products to other customers in their city.
• The company is offering free delivery and cashback offers up to Rs 100 with Local Finds.
• The service is now available in Bengaluru, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Chennai.

E-commerce website, Amazon India on Monday announced the launch of ‘Local Finds,’ for customers to buy and sell used products via the company’s platform.

“Through Local Finds, customers can buy & sell across multiple categories including books, video games, music, movies, mobiles, tablets, laptops, accessories, fashion, home decor and more. Delivery and payments are facilitated by Amazon such that customers need not spend their time and money in meeting strangers or answering calls and texts,” the company said. 

Earlier this year the company had launched a pilot project in Bengaluru – ‘pick-pack-and-pay’ in which the company was encouraging more peer-to-peer sales. After its success the company has now decided to expand this service to three more cities.

“This service was piloted in Bengaluru with around 600 sellers earlier this year. Over the last few months, over 30,000 customers have used this service, and Amazon.in has now expanded the service to 3 more cities - Mumbai, Hyderabad and Chennai,” the company said.

To sweeten the deal to buy used goods the company is offering free delivery option with cashback up to Rs 100 on purchase of jewelry, apparel and home décor.

“As an introductory offer, customers can avail free delivery along with cash-back (up to Rs 100) as Amazon Pay Balance for jewelry, apparel and home decor purchases worth Rs 500 or more on Local Finds. Individuals & home entrepreneurs selling on the platform for the first time can earn up to Rs 500 extra for selling more than 5 products,” the company said.

With this launch the company is directly competing with online classified ad firms like – Quikr and OLX.

“Through our pilot, we realized that in every city we have customers who have a few products to sell - some want to get value for their used products, others are hobbyists, creators and home entrepreneurs who need to find the right customers for what they collect or create and there are customers who are interested in buying such products,” Mahendra Nerurkar, Director – New Initiatives, Amazon India said. 

Speaking about the competition, Nerukar said, “Existing solutions available to such sellers and buyers had gaps - people needed to commute in traffic and meet strangers, this lead to privacy and safety concerns along with precious time and money lost.  With Local Finds, we aim to seamlessly connect sellers and buyers, help them quickly list and discover each other’s products and transact tension free with delivery, payments and customer service facilitated by Amazon.”

“Customers looking to buy a host of new and pre-owned books, old music discs, hand-crafted fashion and home accessories now have a one-stop-shop. From silk thread bangles & jhumkas made at home by local designers to classics, self-help & academic books from individuals to used electronics offering great value for money, Local Finds is home to diverse selection which otherwise is difficult to find under one roof,” the company said.

Also Read: Will Amazon be able to sell enough ‘used goods’ after Quikr, OLX?