Amazon launches ‘Local Finds’ in Mumbai, to take on Olx and Quikr

E-commerce giant Amazon is set to take on Olx and Quikr in Mumbai with Local Finds, a service that helps customers sell used and new products while the online retailer takes care of delivery and payments.

The service was piloted in Bengaluru with 600 sellers earlier this year.

The US-based retailer has now expanded the Local Finds service to three more cities – Mumbai, Hyderabad and Chennai.

Through Local Finds, customers can buy and sell across multiple categories including books, video games, music, movies, mobiles, tablets, laptops, accessories, fashion and home decor.

“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,” a statement issued by Amazon said.

Over the last few months, over 30,000 customers have used this service, it added.

While online classified companies like Olx and Quikr are in heavy demand, Amazon is looking to address gaps that make the transaction process cumbersome for both buyers and sellers.

“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,” Amazon India Director of New Initiatives, Mahendra Nerurkar said.

He added that with Local Finds, the aim is to seamlessly connect sellers and buyers, help them quickly list and discover products and transact hassle free with delivery, payments and customer service facilitated by Amazon.

As an introductory offer, customers can avail free delivery along with cash back in the form of Amazon Pay Balance on certain categories on Local Finds.

Additionally, individuals selling for the first time can also earn upto Rs 500 extra for selling more than five products.