Amazon already sells used goods. If you look at the listings for a book you want, for example, you'll usually find companies selling used copies for next-to-nothing, with a few dollars added for shipping. However, Amazon is now testing out new ways of letting us all sell used goods.
As reported by Mashable, Amazon has launched a new service called "Sell as Individual". This allows individuals to sell their used goods through Amazon, with the company taking care of all of the boring stuff.
"Sell as Individual" works as follows: An individual lists a product they want to sell. If and when someone places an order for that product, Amazon comes to collect the product, packages it up, and delivers it to the buyer. And all for a small charge that could be as little as 1 percent of the asking price.
Unfortunately for all of us who live outside elsewhere, Amazon has launched its pilot program in India. And not the whole of India either, but specifically Bangalore. However, it has to be assumed that if the "Sell as Individual" service is successful in Bangalore it will be expanded to the rest of India and then into other countries too.
Amazon Wants a Slice of eBay Pie
You can buy almost anything you want on Amazon. At any time. From anywhere. It's not always cheaper to buy from Amazon, with big-box retailers often undercutting the online retailer. But the ease with which you can buy on Amazon makes it many people's first port of call.
This ubiquitousness is why the "Sell as Individual" service could take off in a big way. Essentially, everyone wins, except for those trying to sell products and unused. Amazon makes money, the sellers make money without lifting a finger, and the buyers get a product at a bargain price.
As noted above, Amazon has been experimenting with selling used goods for some time. However, this massively increases the range of used goods available to buy, and takes all of the hassle out of the process for sellers. So, eBay and its various alternatives, including Craigslist, Quikr, and Olx should probably take the threat seriously.
If "Sell as Individual" was available in your country, would you sell more used goods? Or buy more used goods? Do you currently sell items online? If so, which website do you use? Would you trust Amazon to handle everything? Please let us know in the comments below!
Image Credit: Lars Plougmann via Flickr