Amazon launches dedicated wireless site
Amazon has launched a separate website dedicated to selling mobile phones. It’s promoting it as a one-stop shop for upgrading handsets, though at the moment only two networks are represented.
At the moment, only AT&T and Verizon contracts are available through the site (www.amazonwireless.com), which of course means only phones available on those networks are listed. Though Amazon didn’t announce it, one of the menus on the site which allows users to search by carrier gives away that Sprint and T-Mobile will be added later.
The site lists 133 handsets as of its launch, with shoppers able to search by a range of criteria from technical features to color, and the site ports across existing reviews from Amazon.com. Once buyers choose a handset, they are shown a list of available service options, including coverage maps for their location.
Amazon boasts that it’s eliminated the technical jargon that is usually associated with choosing a phone. While there’s some truth in that on the descriptions of the phones, the site would benefit immensely from plain English translations of the terms and conditions for the service contracts.
The site is compatible with both new customers and people looking to upgrade their current handset on an existing service contract. Amazon collects the personal details, but the credit checks for service contracts are carried out by the network carriers. Though Amazon offers a 30 day return and refund policy for the handsets, customers have to contact the network carrier themselves to cancel their service contract.
As well as the usual online advantages of not needing to traipse round stores to compare options, Amazon’s main selling point with the site is that the price you see is the price you pay, meaning there are none of the rebate schemes which many retail stores use and leave customers to go through the hassle of claiming back money.
The wireless marketplace isn’t the first industry to get a dedicated site from Amazon. It already runs Endless.com, a site exclusive selling clothes and shoes. Unlike the wireless site, Endless doesn’t carry any Amazon branding.
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