Amazon 2.0?

I was all set to write a snarky post about Amazon needing a "show only Amazon.com" items filter, when I noticed it was already there under the "Narrow By Seller" heading. So instead I'll just say why I was looking. :)

I'll be the first to admit that I'm frequently hit by the dark lure of free shipping. Yes, I know that it would cost me less in most cases to just "bite the bullet" and give UPS/FedEx their due. There's just something about "paying for nothing," though. If I pay $5 for shipping, I have nothing to show for it. Except for the book at my doorstep, of course.

On the other hand, if I add $7 to my cart, I still get the book at my doorstep but now he's brought a friend! It feels as though I'm getting more for my money. With that in mind, problem number one with other sellers on Amazon is they don't count towards the free shipping I'm forever striving for.

Problem number one is compounded by the myriad shipping and return policies you have to navigate when you look at Amazon sellers. It's just like eBay in this, and the main reason I frequent Amazon is to avoid the eBay experience entirely.

Speaking of eBay, this leads us to problem number two with Amazon sellers: trust. I know what to expect and what I'm in for when I buy from Amazon, not so with third parties. I know 99% of them are above board, quality retailers. But again we're back to the eBay experience I'm trying to skip. I've bought many items from third party retailers through Amazon and I've never been burned or less than satisfied, but it was still only as a last resort that I went that route. There's always that twinge of uncertainty in the back of your head, isn't there?

So. Web entrepreneurs, here's your opportunity. Develop a marketfront for third party retailers that'll allow for free shipping for customers, even if they add multiple items from different vendors. Thoroughly vet any prospective vendors, and guarantee the customer's satisfaction.

Profitable? I have no idea. I assume you'd have to charge a premium to cover both problems, so you'd have to compete on quality of service and not on price. Still, there might be a certain percentage of the population that'd take you up on it, I know I'd take a look.