Amazon has opened up another online store, this time focusing on mobile phones, with phone purchases, activation and other services available through the new beta service.
"We've taken our eight years experience selling cell phones to create a new site that makes a potentially confusing transaction much easier for customers," Amazon VP of consumer electronics Paul Ryder said in a statement. "The step-by-step purchase process on AmazonWireless makes it easy for customers who already have a plan to upgrade their phones."
The AmazonWireless store makes it easier for phone shoppers to see the popular phones from AT&T and Verizon Wireless, with support for T-Mobile and Sprint Nextel service plans expected later. Customers will be able to choose from more than 120 phones for AT&T and Verizon. Some of the phones available now are the RIM BlackBerry Bold, Storm, LG Dare and other popular phones. The popular Apple iPhone 3GS isn't available, and it's unclear when, or if ever, it'll be added to the store.
Some phones are available without an activation fee and every phone ships with free two-day shipping.
Once a consumer selects the phone they wish to purchase, AmazonWireless helps customers pick voice, text, and mobile data plans. Amazon lists prices and other relevant information every step of the way. The service is aimed at existing mobile phone subscribers along with anyone who is looking to sign up for a new two-year agreement.
I've had AT&T (well, the company formerly known as Cingular) and Verizon Wireless over the past five years, and have found that each time I go into a retail store with a question or problem, that customer support is extremely lackluster. The ability to purchase a phone and activate it directly through AmazonWireless seems appealing if I am in the market for a new phone in the future. Interested Amazon customers can view the new store here.
