What you make should never go to waste
Tern makes it easy for retailers to participate in the circular economy through trade-in
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How it works
Trade-in
Customers select items to trade-in from their purchase history
Send back
Integrated logistics make it easy to ship and receipt trade-in items
Receive credit
Once the trade-in is received, customer credit is issued
Extend life
Circularity keeps goods in use for as long as possible
“Waste isn't waste until we waste it.”
Will.I.Am
Why trade-in?
A Circular Future
Product Lifecycle
CRM
Fuel Resale
“The secret of getting ahead is getting started.”
Mark Twain
FAQs
Is the tern trade-in app only for fashion retailers?
Absolutely not! The tern trade-in app currently works for any retailer on Shopify selling a physical product. Toys, books, beauty, homeware - use your imagination. Our only limitation is the parcel weight – currently 20kg.
If I make products to last, should I really be encouraging trade-in?
Durable product doesn’t have to last forever, nor does it have to have a single owner. Trade-in gives customers a responsible way to extend the life and use of products they no longer want or need - and we think that’s the very best way to make them last.
What do I do with product that’s been traded-in?
Retailers currently using the tern trade-in app, resell, recycle or upcycle the product they receive back. Whether you know exaclty what you want to do - or not, the best way to learn is to get started: see what customers trade-in, the state of the goods and use this insight to help shape the future of your circular business model.
How many trade-ins should I expect?
Trade-in volumes vary depending on the size of your business, what you sell, and the amount of credit you offer your customers.
As a general rule of thumb, the more generous you are with your offer pricing, the more product you’re likely to receive.
Not everyone’s goals are the same - but our dynamic pricing tool allows you to adjust the offer price and control the flow of trade-in product, optimising the programme to meet your needs.
As a general rule of thumb, the more generous you are with your offer pricing, the more product you’re likely to receive.
Not everyone’s goals are the same - but our dynamic pricing tool allows you to adjust the offer price and control the flow of trade-in product, optimising the programme to meet your needs.
How do you know what condition the trade-in product will be in?
The short answer is: we don't. Our aim is to make trade-in as frictionless as possible - for both the retailer and customer.
Assessing item condition is subjective and quickly becomes a barrier for trade-in. A fixed offer value, regardless of condition, means the customer knows exactly what they will receive, with no haggling and no ambiguity.
Some of the items you receive back will be in great condition, others won't - and we always advise pricing with this variability in mind, particularly if you plan to resell.
Ultimately, though, it's your programme and your choice how to run it. Credit is issued once you receive the goods; so if you want to require a particular condition, that’s entirely up to you. You can always adjust the credit value after receiving the trade-in.
Assessing item condition is subjective and quickly becomes a barrier for trade-in. A fixed offer value, regardless of condition, means the customer knows exactly what they will receive, with no haggling and no ambiguity.
Some of the items you receive back will be in great condition, others won't - and we always advise pricing with this variability in mind, particularly if you plan to resell.
Ultimately, though, it's your programme and your choice how to run it. Credit is issued once you receive the goods; so if you want to require a particular condition, that’s entirely up to you. You can always adjust the credit value after receiving the trade-in.
