Will it work?
We all know how Amazon got it all going at the start of their internet reign. Remember? Amazon the bookstore. They also threw in DVDs and CDs for sale on their site. It was basically the items that were easy to handle and ship across the country. It didn’t take Amazon long to add more items for sale on their site. You can find just about anything at Amazon these days.
However, the heavier items are still a harder sell for them. Things like furniture, appliances, and even some larger TVs are harder to store and ship. People shopping for these items might be less inclined to buy something that large from Amazon because of the fear of how you’ll get the item when it is shipped to you. Shipping large items is no easy task, and it costs more money than shipping books and DVDs.
Amazon wants to sell you everything, and that includes the heavier, and more expensive stuff. So they’re investing in ways to better do just that. One way to do it better is to build a place that they can store all these large items. It seems that they’re doing just that with new warehouses being built that will be used exclusively for holding these larger items for sale.
They have at least 4 warehouses popping up for this specific task with others likely on the way. Their goal would likely be to have enough warehouses around the country so that most of the people in America have the option to get something large shipped to them quickly. These days people don’t just want free shipping, but they also want to get it as fast as possible. Amazon will be trying to do just that.
Why hasn’t Amazon gone after this heavy items business before?
It’s obvious Amazon got started on the lightweight and cheap stuff to ship to get them going, but now that they’re well established they want in with another segment of the market. And, why not?
Amazon is going to have to get over a few hurdles that others have been trying to wade through for these heavy items. Shipping is a big part of the problem and they’re addressing that the best way they can, but they’ve yet to figure out a way to get those people that like to try before they buy something. Let’s face it, some things you just don’t want to buy just by reading reviews. I may buy a washing machine or dryer online (which I did for my most recent purchase), but I want to sit on my couch before I buy it.
Come to think of it, to this day I have not purchased any furniture, that I have to sit on, online. I’ve bought a couple accent wood pieces that were described well, but I’m the type that likes to sit on my seat before I buy it. I’m sure there’s others like me and Amazon is going to have to do something to help with this group of people.
My most recent purchase for a washing machine and dryer came online though. However, I bought those from Best Buy. I did some research, read some reviews, and went with what we liked best. The delivery service from Best Buy was nothing short of spectacular for my purchase. This is where I think a store like Best Buy may have an edge over a company like Amazon. So, why do I think that?
Why Best Buy might have the upper hand when it comes to heavy item purchases
When I bought the washer and dryer it was delivered fairly quickly. The service I got was also excellent. I spoke with the delivery men and asked them a few questions about the delivery service. They told me that Best Buy had started a new delivery service program where Best Buy was in charge of the delivery to the consumers. Best Buy is the “last mile” delivery company for their own items.
What this means is that Best Buy could have better control over how their products are delivered to their customers. The delivery of the products could make a lasting impression with the consumers, as it did with me. When the Best Buy delivery men brought in the Washer and Dryer they were very careful and polite. I’m not saying a 3rd party delivery company that Amazon hires can’t be the same way, but maybe it’ll be harder for Amazon to keep it consistent.
I know from my experience in buying TVs from Amazon that the service has not been consistent. The first time I bought a large TV that clearly needed two people to carry it, but the delivery man came alone and I had to help him bring my TV inside because I didn’t want to see him bang it up and risk breaking it on the way in my house. Luckily I saw that he was alone and went outside to help. I guess he was going to try to do it himself, but I have no idea how that would have gone.
The most recent TV purchase I made through Amazon had 2 people carrying my TV inside, and they were great. The other guy was nice enough, but the service was not consistent. When the delivery includes someone that will be talking and dealing with the consumer it is a very important part of the equation and I think Best Buy may have figured that out. If Amazon doesn’t find a way to be consistent then they might have some troubles along the way at the start.
All that being said, with more heavy items being shipped you can be sure that there will be more companies trying to take advantage of this new business. More people doing it should mean more competition and lower prices for us, the consumer. How Amazon decides to go about shipping their items might be very important to people though. We’re all used to getting things in the mail from Fedex, UPS, and USPS. We know what to expect. But what happens when you get your refrigerator delivered? What type of lasting impression will that leave?
In the end I do think that Amazon will figure it out. That’s just what they do. Maybe it’ll have to be a service like Best Buy has for delivery or maybe it will have to be something else that can keep things professional and consistent. Whatever it is, Amazon is going to make sure you get your next new fridge from them.