Amazon Busy Expanding Reach With Sears Appliance Deal, Local Truck Rolls

Amazon’s unflagging efforts to extend its reach continued Thursday with news it was launching appliance sales via a distribution agreement with struggling retailer Sears and expanding its Treasure Truck vehicle beyond the Seattle market. Amazon was selling a smart Kenmore air conditioner Friday for $379, and the unit showed a 3½-star rating from five reviewers dating back to June 2016. Reviews for the air conditioner were mixed but it received blistering commentary for the pre-Alexa “smart” features. Customer Hubert Farnsworth posted in a 1-star review that month: “Not only does the app not offer geofencing or IFTTT [if this, then that] integration to automate the device -- arguably the only features which justify its existence, but it doesn't even work as a regular old dumb remote.” Customer WIwise also panned the Kenmore smart app as “not usable” but advised shoppers they could control the AC unit with an app by Frigidaire. A Sears news release said plans call for distribution on Amazon.com to expand to the full line of Kenmore home appliances in all U.S. markets, with Kenmore, Sears Home Services and Innovel Solutions providing “white-glove” service for delivery, installation and extended service. Customers can enable voice control for Kenmore products in the Alexa Skill Store, by linking their account and then asking Alexa to interact with their Kenmore smart appliances, Sears said. Amazon also said it’s rolling out its Treasure Truck -- a “new way to shop with Amazon” -- in select unnamed cities. We plugged in our New York City ZIP code and were told the service isn’t available yet in our area. Amazon describes Treasure Truck as offering a selection of “new, trending, local or delicious” items loaded on a truck and driven around town, “spreading joy for everyone with a smartphone and an appetite for fun.” It encouraged customers to sign up for a text notification when a truck is headed their way.