Amazon India has quietly rolled out a new feature, Local Finds, on its website and that allows consumers to buy and sell old / used goods from people around them. Currently, the feature is visible only on the website, not the app. Local Finds is similar to what Quikr and OLX allow but is starting out much smaller. The service is available only in Bangalore, Mumbai, Chennai and Hyderabad for now. And it is yet to roll out to all users. Also Read - Kejriwal daughter OLX payment scam: How to avoid online payment fraud while using UPI, e-wallet?
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Ten categories of products can be listed for now. These include Books, Mobiles, Tablets, Video Games, Mobile Covers, Movies, Jewellery, Clothing, Home and Music. Sellers can select a category from a drop-down menu, post an ad of the item they want to sell, and add other details and photos too much like OLX and Quikr function. What is different in Local Finds, however, is that Amazon suggests a price after the details have been keyed in. The seller may or may not accept it. Once the ad is posted, the product listing goes live and can be searched-for in that particular city. ALSO READ: Amazon India launches GST Cafes to help sellers transition into the new tax regime
Once a buyer orders the product, Amazon schedules pick-up, packing and delivery. The payment is processed within a week, says the company, and it doesn t include Central GST as the products are sold within the city. However, if the transaction exceeds Rs. 20 lakh, then sellers are have to register for GST. For mobiles, there is the Used & Refurbished Store where buyers can view their condition of the product before making a purchase. Interestingly, even new products are visible in certain categories like books and jewellery. Sellers can sell a product apiece or evens set up their stores. ALSO READ: Amazon is reportedly working on a standalone messaging app called Anytime
Local Finds is Amazon s attempt at further localizing its product in India. It not allows the e-commerce giant to attract new customers, like individual home-sellers, but also allows it to break into the booming refurbished goods market in the country. This market is nearly $15 billion in size with mobiles alone accounting for $3 billion, according to Gartner. That is a lot of potential to tap into and Amazon India is ready for it. BGR India has reached out to Amazon for comment.
