What’s in this article:
- Amazon’s new Built It program let’s you be a part of which devices they build next
- The ideas will only be put into production if they meet the pre-order goal set
- What’s smart here is that Amazon gets to test the viability of its prototypes without having to invest in a substantial production run
Taking a cue from Kickstarter, Amazon offers its own twist on crowdsourced production with the reverse of the Field of Dreams promise, “If you build it, they will come.”
Amazon is now offering customers the opportunity to pre-order Alexa-enabled gadgets that they would like to own with its new Built It platform. As it explains on the page and in its explainer video, the concepts will only be put into production if they meet the pre-order goal set.
How it works
- We’ll share a few of our favorite concepts for exciting new devices that work with Alexa.
- For a limited time only, you can pre-order the ones you want for a chance to make them real.
- If an item reaches its pre-order goal by a certain date [30 days before production is set], we’ll build it—and you’ll be among the first to get it. (We’re talking July-September for items ordered by March)
Keeping up that simple theme of three, for now, Amazon is offering three items that can be be pre-ordered by March 19:
- A smart cuckoo clock for $79.99. Amazingly, this clock has managed to achieve the status of #1 Best Seller in Clocks without technically having sold a single piece.
- A smart nutrition scale for $39.99.
- A smart sticky note printer for $89.99. Like the clock, this item also has achieved best seller status for its category (computer printers) without having sold any units as of yet. It is the closest of the three to having achieved the pre-order goal early, already at 75% on February 17.
Amazon addresses customer concerns about committing to something nearly half a year in advance. It does allow customers to cancel their orders before the item ships. If it can be returned later is another question. I didn’t see it addressed in the Introducing: Build It
blog that offers more details about the program and the initial products on offer.
What’s brilliant here is that Amazon gets to test the viability of its prototypes without having to invest in a substantial production run that could potentially leave it with a lot of unsold units. Also, as each one is really an Alexa accessory, the products contribute to great use and possible adoption of an Amazon product it has been promoting for years now.
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