SEATTLE -- Looking to increase sales, but without adding inventory, Amazon's German and British Web divisions have begun selling used and collectible books, video games and other items. In addition to the 15% commission Amazon charges to each completed transaction, Marketplace is a moneymaker because product comes from outside the company, so shipping, storage and handling costs are not taken on by the company This deal is especially lucrative considering that the U.K. site is the company's largest European operation, with more than five million customers.

COPYRIGHT 2002 Reproduced with permission of the copyright holder. Further reproduction or distribution is prohibited without permission.
COPYRIGHT 2002 Gale Group