The difference between simply finding your own repairman and going through Amazon is that the company is offering a money-back guarantee on the contract work. In addition, the service providers must undergo background checks, performed by Amazon. While the fees for the check are waived until January 31, 2015, after that date, anyone hoping to do in-home work will have to pay $40 for the screening. In the grand tradition of Amazon, customer reviews of the service providers will show up on the site.
Once a provider passes the background check, it will pay a monthly subscription fee, starting June, 2015. Amazon will also get 20 percent of services fees under $1,000 and 15 percent those over, per its website.
Right now, most of the services available fall under the handyman designation — plumbers, electricians, and the like — as well as auto repair and computer, home theater, and appliance specialists. However, Amazon hopes to expand into other services, like yoga teachers and music lessons, in the future.
