- The Good
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- Residential, business and commercial services available
- Easy and intuitive search functions
- One-click payments
- The Bad
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- Contractors may not be available in all areas
Amazon Home Services is a new entry into this relatively crowded market. Because it is so new (it was founded in 2015), it may take a while for more service providers to show up in all areas. Amazon uses a stringent application approval process that helps guarantee quality service but can slow down approvals and access to service.
- Price
- Free
Amazon is free for users and strictly controls service pricing. When you book a service through Home Services, Amazon offers a price estimate. According to the Internet giant, nine out of 10 customers only pay that estimated price. At Amazon, you don’t need a fair price guarantee; it’s built right into the service model.
- Top Services
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- Smart home services
- Home theater installation
- Computer repair
- Smartphone repair
- Cleaning
- Assembly
- Business and commercial services
- Automotive repair
With the addition of Home Services, Amazon has added entirely new categories to their one-stop-shopping model. Now, you can get all of your retail therapy, grocery shopping and to-do list items through the same site. Home Services offers an eclectic mix of services that range from virus removal for your computer to smart home assessments and installations.
- Screening Process
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- Comprehensive background check
- Online reputation assessment
The Amazon Home Services screening process is one of the most stringent. Not only do they do a criminal background check, they also look at financial records and court history. That means a bankruptcy or pending lawsuit could leave them denied from the Amazon marketplace as a service provider. Even if all of that checks out, there is also the review screening. Looking at other sites and checking reviews, Amazon can and does deny applications based on negative reviews posted on other sites. This tight approval process means that only the highest rated providers make it onto the Amazon Home Services Marketplace.
- Guarantee
- Yes
The Amazon Happiness Guarantee gives you the opportunity to file a claim if the work wasn’t up to snuff or anything was damaged during your job. Now, if the scope of work changes or you missed the 90-day window to file a claim, the Happiness Guarantee may not apply, but Amazon has a well-deserved reputation for customer service.
- Support
- Email, chat, and phone
Amazon has one of the most responsive customer service departments around. You can start a chat, send an email or even call if you have a problem with any Amazon product, including Home Services. Their online help information center is also comprehensive and automates many routine requests, so you may not need to spend much time talking to customer service after all.
Amazon Home Services: User Reviews
Amazon Home Services: Comments
Amazon has moved into the home repair service marketplace with its Amazon Home Services, which pairs you with local home repair professionals.
How Does Amazon Home Services Work?
Amazon Home Services works a lot like other service marketplaces. Professionals apply for a listing and start working with Amazon customers. For you, this can help streamline your purchasing history. For example, you buy a brand new TV and need help with installation. Home Services can offer that installation at a (usually) standardized rate.
If you’re looking to put in a garden this year and don’t have time to handle the original planting, you can work with a landscaper through Amazon Home Services. All you do is use your existing Amazon account, find the service you need, answer a few quick questions and schedule the service. You don’t have to worry about selecting a contractor–Amazon does that for you. They also handle the customer service is something goes wrong.
A late arrival, last-minute cancellation or poor quality service can all leave you with a partial or full refund after reporting the issue. Plus, Amazon only charges you after the service is complete, so if a professional misses their appointment, you don’t have to worry about asking for a refund–you haven’t paid yet.
Services like Select Home Warranty can actually cover a lot of home fixes and can help you pick a good professional to do the job. Check out our Select Home Warranty review to learn more.
What Makes Amazon Home Services Stand Out?
Amazon has a long-standing and well-deserved reputation for excellent customer service. When you order something through Home Services, you get access to that same incredible customer service experience, even if the professional you work with isn’t perfect. Plus, Amazon goes the extra mile to vet and screen all of their professional applicants.
Many marketplaces use self-reporting from their pros, but not Amazon. At Home Services, every professional offering services is vetted individually using comprehensive background checks and a look at reviews from real customers.
Another big difference between Amazon and the competition is pricing. Not pricing to use the service, which is free, but the cost of services. Very few review sites offer any direct information about pricing. After all, they don’t control what a service provider will charge. Amazon does it differently. They set standard rates for standard jobs. Tasks that have routine costs and take a fairly predictable amount of time come with an estimate that is highly accurate. Avoiding a surprise bill is one big benefit to working with Amazon.
Common Reviews of Amazon Home Services
Amazon Home Services has a very high approval rating from its customers. Even customers that weren’t happy with their original service order have a positive experience with customer service. Unlike other home services companies, Amazon is very responsive to all refund requests. They may ask you to provide documentation, particularly for any damage, but if you’re owed a refund for services not rendered, Amazon has a good track record.
Their comprehensive vetting process may mean that you can’t order some services in your area, but it also means you’re less likely to have a bad experience. All Amazon professionals have continuing performance targets. Plus, you’ll only get emails for up to three days after submitting a request. That means pros have a limited window to contact you when you have a custom request.
Is Amazon Home Services for Me?
Do you have an Amazon account? If you do, you’ve probably already experienced the ease of ordering through the site. You may also have dealt with lost packages or returns. In either case, you should have a good idea of what buying on Amazon is like. Home Services is another type of Amazon product, with all of the same standards and commitment to customer satisfaction. If you have a home or a business, it’s likely that there is a service available on Amazon Home Services that you could use.
From leaky faucets to electrical issues, Home Services covers all your handyman needs. The service is typically offered per job, not hourly, so you may want to get a custom quote if you have a few items on your maintenance list. House cleaning can help clear your schedule for other important tasks and family obligations, while assembly services take the intimidation out of buying furniture and other large items online. You can even schedule computer and electronics repair for at home, so the next time your phone screen cracks or you can’t get rid of a computer virus, you can schedule a service visit through Home Services.
Amazon Home Services even has a section for businesses. From data recovery to IT security and even commercial installations, you can find a provider to help your small business. If you’re already an Amazon customer, take a look at the services available to you. Affordable pricing and top-notch professionals make Home Services useful for most people.
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