European refurbishment specialist Recommerce has launched two new applications integrated with ChatGPT, enabling consumers to buy refurbished devices or resell old smartphones through a conversational interface.

The rollout signals a fresh step in the rise of AI-powered commerce, as retailers look to replace traditional browsing and form-based transactions with more intuitive, dialogue-led experiences. Instead of comparing dozens of listings or completing lengthy buyback processes, users can now interact with an AI assistant in the same way they would speak to a sales advisor.

The company said the service is available free of charge and is intended to simplify access to a market that has become increasingly mainstream, yet often remains difficult to navigate. Consumers shopping for refurbished electronics are frequently confronted with multiple technical criteria, including cosmetic grades, storage capacities, model generations and price differences.

With the new purchasing tool, users simply describe their needs in natural language. The AI then selects suitable products from Recommerce’s catalogue, which includes more than 7,000 references, and accompanies the customer throughout the purchase journey. The objective is to combine the convenience of e-commerce with the reassurance of personalised guidance.

Alongside this, Recommerce has also introduced a trade-in application designed to streamline the resale of used devices. Consumers describe the condition of their smartphone, after which the AI evaluates its cosmetic and functional state and produces an instant buyback offer. The valuation is based on Recommerce’s real-time pricing matrix, allowing offers to adapt to current market demand.

The launch also highlights a broader technological challenge facing retailers: linking generative AI systems with structured commercial data such as inventory levels, product availability and dynamic pricing.

Laurent Pelisse, CTO of Recommerce Group, said the development represents a shift in consumer behaviour, with customers moving away from traditional search journeys and increasingly expecting direct answers, tailored recommendations and immediate clarity during the purchasing process.

The timing reflects accelerating interest in AI-assisted shopping. Recommerce cited a November 2025 study by Ipsos showing that more than one in three people in France now use AI tools to help prepare purchases, with adoption particularly strong among younger consumers.

For Recommerce, the initiative is also tied to its wider circular economy ambitions. By making refurbished purchases and device trade-ins easier and more accessible, the company hopes to encourage second-hand consumption and reinforce the role of technology in reducing electronic waste.