Buy Stuff On Amazon With Text Messaging using TextBuyIt Service

Amazon launches a new service that will allow customers to buy products from their mobiles. The new “TextBuyIt” service allows you to search and buy items on Amazon from your mobiles.

With the growing mobile users in the US and worldwide, Amazon wants to grab a share from mobile shopping. Only a few companies allow customers to buy from mobiles directly.

Amazon’s TextBuyIt service works as follows:

1.) Customers send Text message to “AMAZON” or “262966” about the product they are interested in.

2.) Amazon replies back with an SMS message of the list of products and prices they have at their store. They will show 2 items at a time, customers can send another text message “m” to see more items.

3.) Customers then can buy by sending another text message with the item number or ask for more details by typing d and the item number (e.g. d2 for more details about item number 2).

4.) Once they decide to buy, Amazon automatic phone system calls the customer for verification and gives approval for the purchase.

5.) Customers can track their products at their account online afterwards just like regular purchases.

To see the entire list of commands click here.

Amazon stores credit card information in its servers, so they don’t have to enter it again during this mobile shopping. Amazon will charge the purchase to their main credit or debit card fro their account.

TechCrunch reports that it can be use for price comparison also, but Amazon will provide prices from their sites only. I am sure there will be other mobile price comparison sites to choose from for this.

Amazon “TextBuyIt’ offers another option to buy. It will be helpful for those who need the products right away or to those who are impulsive buyers. Instead of sending text messages back and forth, Amazon can create a mobile site version with built in shopping cart option.