#128 Refurbished (1/2): A second life for our fully automatic machine!
Coffee. Cycle. Cultural change: We have been selling refurbished fully automatic coffee machines for a good six months now. Time for a first interim review! In the new episode of our podcast "5 cups a day", Karoline (Tchibo Circular Solutions expert) and Andrea (co-founder of koorvi) report on how the circular process of buying our customers' old appliances, repairing and reselling them works.
"Refurbished" - i.e. reconditioned instead of simply used - stands for a completely new understanding of product value: tested, cleaned, repaired and with a guarantee. In this way, we give our Esperto Caffè a second life and our customers the opportunity to experience sustainable and price-conscious coffee enjoyment.
How does the whole thing work?
„We have two offers: On the one hand, we buy used fully automatic coffee machines - via our buy-back portal. The machines go to the repair centre, where they are checked and, in the best case scenario, we give them a Tchibo gift card. We then resell the repaired machines in our shop.“ Karoline
The principle is simple: customers hand in their old fully automatic machines, receive a gift card in return and Tchibo professionally refurbishes the appliances. After a technical inspection and thorough cleaning, they are returned to the shop as refurbished models. This is the circular economy in action.
The technical platform for purchasing, refurbishing and reselling comes from koorvi, a Munich-based start-up that specialises in circular solutions.
„We offer products that are as good as new - with a manufacturer's guarantee. This is a great lever because it facilitates access to second-hand goods and makes the offer attractive to many people.“ Andrea
From linear to circular
The project is more than just a new sales option: it is a step towards the circular economy. Instead of thinking linearly - i.e. "buy, use, dispose" - Tchibo will be thinking in cycles in future. The machines should be used, repaired and reused for as long as possible, which, according to Karoline and Andrea, requires not only new structures, but also a rethink on the part of all of us: Away from the throwaway mentality, towards more longevity, reparability and appreciation.
Refurbished is therefore not a niche project, but a cultural change. What began with the fully automatic machine may also become relevant for other product categories in the future - from kettles to children's clothing.
Listen for yourself and find your next (refurbished) favourite fully automatic machine:
On YouTube, Spotify and wherever there are podcasts.
