Is Trendyol a Good Brand Reddit? [2024]

Is Trendyol a Good Brand Reddit? Trendyol is one of the most popular online shopping destinations in Turkey. The company was founded in 2010 and has grown rapidly over the past decade to become the country’s largest e-commerce platform. But is Trendyol actually a good brand that’s worth shopping from? In this in-depth article, we’ll take a close look at Trendyol’s reputation, selection, prices, shipping, return policy, and overall customer experience to help you decide if it’s the right Turkish e-tailer for you.

Overview of Trendyol

Trendyol is an Istanbul-based company that could be described as the “Amazon of Turkey.” It was started by Demet Mutlu, one of Turkey’s pioneer internet entrepreneurs who also founded some of the country’s first online food delivery and restaurant reservation platforms.

The Trendyol website and mobile apps function as a marketplace where both local and international brands can sell their products. Trendyol has over 30,000 sellers offering millions of products across categories like clothing, accessories, electronics, homewares, toys, automotive, groceries, and more.

Some key facts and figures about Trendyol:

• Founded in 2010 by Demet Mutlu.
• Has over 50 million monthly visitors.
• Offers 10 million products from 30,000 merchants.
• Has a mobile app with 18 million downloads.
• Ships to all 81 provinces in Turkey.
• Has 6 logistics centers and 2,500 couriers.
• Raised $728 million USD in funding.

So in just a decade, Trendyol has become Turkey’s #1 online retailer and one of its biggest e-commerce success stories. It dominates the market and continues to expand its selection, sellers, and customers each year.

Trendyol’s Reputation

With millions of customers shopping on Trendyol each month, there are naturally a wide range of opinions on the brand’s reputation. Overall though, Trendyol seems to have a good reputation among Turkish online shoppers.

Here’s a quick overview of the pros and cons of Trendyol’s reputation:

Pros

• Very fast shipping, often next day delivery.
• Excellent return and exchange policies.
• Good loyalty program (Trendyol Club).
• Rewards for writing reviews.
• Most sellers have high ratings.
• Reliable customer service.
• User-friendly website and app.

Cons

• Some counterfeit products from untrustworthy sellers.
• Occasional shipping delays or damages.
• Not all sellers offer free returns.
• High seller fees means higher prices.
• Excessive advertising and upselling on site.

Reviews on Trustpilot give Trendyol an “Excellent” score of 4.5 out of 5 based on almost 90,000 reviews. Most customers praise the quick delivery, wide selection, and smooth returns process. Complaints involve damaged, defective or counterfeit items, out of stock orders, and sellers who don’t accept returns.

On Ekşi Sözlük (aka Sour Dictionary), Turkey’s most popular reviews website, Trendyol has a rating of 7.8 out of 10 based on thousands of user reviews. Positive experiences outweigh negative by a wide margin.

Overall, Trendyol seems to enjoy a pretty good reputation considering its massive size and volume of orders. It meets or exceeds most customers’ expectations for an e-commerce experience. But there’s still room for improvement when it comes to quality control and weeding out untrustworthy sellers.

Trendyol’s Product Selection

With over 10 million products listed from 30,000 sellers, Trendyol App has one of the widest selections of any online retailer in Turkey. They truly offer an enormous variety of items across all categories.

Some of the most popular Trendyol departments include:

Women’s Fashion: Dresses, tops, pants, coats, lingerie, swimwear, accessories, shoes, bags, jewelry, watches, makeup, and perfume. Both local and international brands.

Men’s Fashion: Casual and formal shirts, pants, jackets, underwear, shoes, accessories, grooming products. High-end and budget options.

Children’s Fashion: Clothing, shoes, toys, furniture, strollers, car seats, diapering, feeding, bathing, health and safety products.

Electronics: Phones, tablets, laptops, TVs, cameras, computers, gaming, smart home devices, car audio. Major brands like Samsung, Apple, Sony, Nikon, etc.

Home & Garden: Furniture, decor, kitchenware, small appliances, bedding, bath items, hardware, outdoor living, pet supplies.

Sports & Outdoors: Equipment and apparel for football, basketball, tennis, swimming, camping, cycling, fitness, hunting, fishing.

Groceries & Gourmet: Dry goods, packaged foods, beverages, frozen foods, spices, organic fare.

Automotive: Car electronics, tires, wheels, batteries, interior accessories, motor oils, car care, tools.

The list goes on and on. Trendyol has one of the most extensive product ranges you’ll find on any Turkish e-commerce site. They offer both niche and popular items to appeal to all types of shoppers. You can find big global brands, smaller Turkish brands, and generic unbranded items all in one place.

However, the enormous catalog comes with some disadvantages too. There are frequent complaints about counterfeit products, expired foods and cosmetics, incorrect item descriptions, and other quality problems that are hard to catch with so many sellers. But overall, most shoppers seem very pleased with the enormous amount of choice.

Trendyol Prices and Discounts

Trendyol is not necessarily the cheapest e-commerce option in Turkey, but they often offer competitive pricing matched with good service. Their prices are similar to other big marketplaces like Hepsiburada and N11.com.tr.

Some factors that influence Trendyol’s pricing:

• No set prices – each seller on the marketplace sets their own item prices.
• Brand names usually cost more than lesser-known labels.
• Discounts and coupons lower prices substantially.
• Bargain hunters can shop clearance items.
• Bulk ordering usually saves money.
• Private label brands (owned by Trendyol) are affordably priced.

Trendyol runs promotions like discounts, sales, and cashback offers frequently. Some examples:

• Category-wide discounts like 15% off electronics or 10% off clothing.
• Flash sales with deep discounts on select items.
• Clearance sales to move old inventory.
• Trendyol Club members get free shipping and extra discounts.
• Influencer collaborations with special promo codes.
• Cashback bonuses and gift cards for app downloads.
• Major holidays like Black Friday feature big sitewide sales.

While Trendyol may not be the absolute cheapest option, the combination of good prices and frequent promotions makes it cost-effective for most Turkish shoppers. The deals bring prices down closer to physical store levels.

Shipping, Delivery, and Pickup with Trendyol

One area where Trendyol really shines is shipping speed and reliability. The company has invested heavily in its in-house logistics infrastructure to offer customers fast, affordable delivery across Turkey.

Here are some key points about Trendyol delivery:

Speed

• Express delivery in 24 hours or less to major cities.
• 1-3 day standard shipping to most addresses.
• Same-day delivery in Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir for orders placed before noon.

Coverage

• Ships to all 81 provinces/cities in Turkey.
• Urban and rural addresses.

Cost

• Free shipping over 149 TL for all accounts.
• Free for Trendyol Club members.
• Affordable courier rates under 149 TL.

Pickup Options

• Pick up from 6 Trendyol logistics centers.
• Collect from lockers and pickup points.
• Return to courier without box/label.

Tracking

• Detailed shipment tracking with progress updates.
• Email and SMS alerts.
• See delivery status in Trendyol app.

Trendyol invests a lot in its delivery operations to provide a reliable, convenient customer experience. Most items arrive extremely quickly thanks to their huge courier workforce and extensive logistics infrastructure across Turkey.

Trendyol Return Policy and Customer Service

Trendyol offers a standard 30 day return policy for most items. Unless otherwise stated by the seller, you can return any unused item in original condition within 30 days of delivery for a full refund.

Here are some key points on Trendyol’s return policy:

• 30 days for refunds, up to 180 days for exchanges.
• Some categories have extended return windows – up to 100 days for phones and small electrics.
• Must have invoice/order details.
• Opened software, media, hygiene items cannot be returned.
• Items must be unused with tags/packaging intact.
• You pay return shipping, Trendyol refunds it if reason is company error.
• Returns can be initiated online or in-person at stores.
• Refund is issued once returned item is checked at warehouse.
• Exchange for different size/color is often possible too.

Trendyol also provides 24/7 customer service via phone, email, social media, and chatbot. You can get assistance with:

• Orders, delivery, returns, refunds, payments.
• Recommendations and style advice.
• Technical support for Trendyol app/website.
• Loyalty program questions.
• Feedback and complaints.
• Cancellations and invoice issues.

Trendyol’s return policy is on par with other major retailers. It gives you adequate time to evaluate items while protecting the company from excessive returns. Customer service agents are generally responsive and helpful in resolving issues.

Shopping Experience and User Reviews of Trendyol

Trendyol offers customers a slick, modern shopping experience through its website and mobile apps. The platform is filled with features that make browsing, buying, and managing orders very convenient.

Here are some of the highlights of using Trendyol:

Website

• Attractive, image-rich design.
• Intuitive categories and search filters.
• Detailed product descriptions with reviews.
• Smooth checkout with guest/account options.
• Order tracking and return portals.
• Daily deals and brand highlights.

Mobile App

• iOS and Android apps.
• Barcode and image search.
• Personalized recommendations.
• Push notification alerts and updates.
• Saved payment and addresses.
• Easy re-ordering and navigation.

Trendyol Club

• Free loyalty program with tiered benefits.
• Earn points from purchases and reviews.
• Get coupons, gift cards, free items and shipping perks.

Try At Home

• Order clothing to try on at home.
• Only pay for what you keep.
• Schedule convenient pickup time.

User reviews on both App Store and Google Play praise Trendyol’s app for being fast, reliable, and intuitive to use. The wide selection and fair prices also make it the online retailer of choice for many Turkish consumers.

The website runs smoothly for most customers, with positive feedback on the filters, search, and navigation. Some find it overly busy but it has improved over time. Checkout and account features work well.

Trendyol’s Try At Home service is also hugely popular, providing a dressing room experience that reduces the headache of returns. Overall, Trendyol provides a seamless omnichannel shopping experience.

Pros and Cons of Shopping on Trendyol

Based on Trendyol’s reputation, prices, selection, delivery services and customer experience – what are the key pros and cons?

Pros

• Fast, reliable shipping across Turkey.
• Huge selection of brands and products.
• Competitive prices and frequent discounts.
• Smooth website and app shopping experience.
• Convenient loyalty program.
• Excellent return and exchange policies.
• Helpful 24/7 customer service.

Cons

• Occasional issues with product quality or accuracy.
• Shipping costs under the free delivery minimum.
• Some sellers have low return acceptance rates.
• Excessive advertising and cross-selling onsite.
• Counterfeit goods are sometimes listed.
• Ratings and reviews aren’t always reliable.

Overall, the pros seem to considerably outweigh the cons for most Turkish shoppers. Trendyol isn’t perfect but provides an immense catalog of products with good prices and fast delivery. It’s competitive with or superior to other top Turkish online marketplaces.

Is Trendyol Ultimately a Good Brand and Retailer?

Given Trendyol’s meteoric growth, extensive selection, logistics capabilities, and loyal customer base – the verdict is that it’s a very good e-commerce brand, especially by Turkish standards.

Trendyol may not have the public profile of an Amazon or Alibaba yet, but it’s just as relevant and influential in its own geographical sphere. The company has gained the trust of millions of Turkish shoppers for a smooth, cost-effective online retail experience.

Trendyol isn’t perfect by any means. The marketplace model comes with inherent risks around product quality, seller conduct, and counterfeits. There’s still room to strengthen quality control.

But the vast majority of customers are highly satisfied overall with Trendyol’s value, convenience, support services and continued improvements. Any complaints tend to get resolved promptly.

For Turkish consumers looking for the widest selection of products at reasonable prices with fast, reliable delivery – Trendyol is a good brand to choose in most cases. It has earned its reputation as Turkey’s top online retailer.

So in summary – yes, Trendyol is considered a good, recommendable brand by most standards and metrics. It’s a e-commerce leader that has made online shopping accessible and enjoyable for millions of Turks.

How Trendyol Compares to Other Major Turkish Retailers

To better evaluate Trendyol’s strengths and weaknesses, it’s helpful to compare the e-tailer to some of its biggest competitors in Turkey. The major online marketplaces it competes with include:

Hepsiburada – Founded in 2000, Hepsiburada is Trendyol’s biggest competitor. It has over 50,000 merchants and 35 million products listed. Hepsiburada matches Trendyol’s delivery network and logistics capabilities. It also operates an online travel agency and food delivery businesses.

N11.com – Launched in 2011, N11 is owned by South Korea’s SK Group. It has emerged as Turkey’s 3rd biggest online retailer with 15 million products and 44 million monthly visitors. N11 has its own courier service and a premium membership program.

GittiGidiyor – Founded in 2001 and bought by eBay in 2011, GittiGidiyor is one of Turkey’s original e-commerce platforms. It connects 20 million buyers with 78,000 sellers listing everything from fashion to cars. GittiGidiyor is still popular but has lost ground to newer players.

Amazon Turkey – The local Turkish version of Amazon launched in 2018 but still has a limited selection compared to other sites. It relies on global fulfillment rather than local warehouses. Prime membership enrollment is still low but growing.

So how does Trendyol stack up against the competition on key metrics?

Product Range – Trendyol has the broadest selection with over 10 million listings. Only Hepsiburada comes close. N11 and GittiGidiyor have under 15 million products. Amazon Turkey’s catalog is still quite small.

Prices & Discounts – Trendyol and Hepsiburada generally have the best prices due to greater seller competition. N11’s prices are also competitive but GittiGidiyor tends to be higher. Amazon’s prices vary greatly depending on the seller.

Delivery Speed – Trendyol, Hepsiburada and N11 are all similarly fast – as quick as 24 hours in major cities. GittiGidiyor and Amazon Turkey shipments take longer on average.

Customer Service – Trendyol and Hepsiburada offer the most responsive customer support. N11 and GittiGidiyor have poorer reviews for service quality. Amazon Turkey’s support is minimal.

User Experience – Trendyol and Hepsiburada invest heavily in their websites and apps to optimize the shopping process. N11 prioritizes mobile while GittiGidiyor’s site is outdated. Amazon’s UI is globalized.

Brand Trust – Thanks to heavy marketing and word of mouth, Trendyol narrowly beats out Hepsiburada in consumer familiarity and trust. N11 and GittiGidiyor are still building brand awareness. Amazon already enjoys high trust.

So Trendyol emerges as one of the top performers in the Turkish e-commerce industry by most metrics. Hepsiburada is its closest rival, while N11 and GittiGidiyor lag behind in some areas. New entrant Amazon Turkey has yet to catch up.

By leveraging its first-mover advantage, priority on customer experience, logistics network, and brand building – Trendyol has remained the leader in Turkish online retail. It will need to keep innovating and improving to fend off fierce competition. But for now, Trendyol remains the #1 marketplace for Turkish online shoppers.

Trendyol Business Model and Operations

A key factor in Trendyol’s success is its comprehensive e-commerce business model that connects all the pieces – technology, inventory, logistics, and users. Here’s an overview of how Trendyol operates:

Value Proposition – Trendyol sells itself as the fastest, most convenient way for Turkish consumers to shop for their favorite brands at the best prices.

Inventory – As a marketplace, Trendyol does not hold inventory itself. Its 30,000 sellers list and ship their own products. Trendyol owns a few private label brands.

Technology – Trendyol builds and runs its own robust e-commerce platform including website, apps, seller dashboards, and support systems.

Logistics – Trendyol handles first and last-mile delivery through its network of warehouses, couriers, pickup points and lockers across Turkey.

Users – 50+ million monthly visitors search, browse and buy from Trendyol’s enormous online catalog of brands and products.

Payments – Trendyol processes payments and shields users from risk. Sellers receive payouts after the return period passes.

Advertising – Trendyol earns added revenue by charging sellers for promoted listings and targeted ads based on user data.

Customer Service – 24/7 support via chat, phone and social handles buyer and seller queries and resolves issues speedily.

This comprehensive approach is why Trendyol succeeds where other e-commerce sites fall short. It controls the end-to-end experience, from listing to purchase to delivery and returns. Everything is optimized for fast, seamless online shopping at massive scale across Turkey.

International Expansion Opportunities for Trendyol

Trendyol dominates online retail within Turkey, so the next logical step is taking the business model abroad. The company is reportedly eyeing international expansion, starting with close neighbors.

Here are some of the overseas growth opportunities Trendyol is exploring:

Middle East – Gulf countries like UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar offer a wealthy customer base and room for a localized Trendyol. Partnerships with regional retailers may help shortcut expansion.

North Africa – Markets like Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia have young, tech-savvy populations ideal for online shopping. Brand adaptation and Arabic content will be key.

Central Asia – Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Azerbaijan’s youth and rising incomes make them suitable targets. Trade partnerships can offset logistics hurdles.

Balkans – Nearby countries like Romania, Bulgaria, and Greece allow faster shipping. Acquiring local retailers could accelerate market entry.

Europe – Major European markets like Germany, France, and the UK represent longer-term opportunities. Trendyol can start by selling Turkish merchandise first.

Global – With additional capital and resources, Trendyol could follow Amazon’s footsteps by launching locally for countries around the world.

Going global won’t be easy – Trendyol will face established local competition, different consumer expectations, language barriers, operational complexity and a steep learning curve.

But by taking a targeted approach focused on high-potential markets first, leveraging acquisitions and partnerships, and customizing operations – Trendyol can begin to replicate its Turkish e-commerce success worldwide. The Trendyol brand has gone from unknown to trusted by millions in just 10 years – fueling ambitions of even faster international growth.

Key People Behind Trendyol’s Success

Trendyol could not have risen to become Turkey’s e-commerce leader without its talented founders and executives. Some of the key people who have contributed to Trendyol’s success include:

Demet Mutlu – Founder and CEO. One of Turkey’s top entrepreneurs. Founded food delivery and review sites before Trendyol. Named EY Entrepreneur of the Year.

Çağlayan Çetin – Co-founder and Vice Chairman. Veteran executive and investor. Managed global firms like Capgemini and Alcatel before starting Trendyol.

Koray Gültekin Bahçeci – President of Fashion. Led growth of Trendyol’s fashion business. Former senior executive at Mavi Jeans.

Umutcan Acar – CTO. Responsible for Trendyol’s technology stack and platforms. Worked at eBay and Groupon before.

Onur Tüfekçi – Chief Supply Chain Officer. Oversees Trendyol’s extensive logistics operations. Former director at UPS Turkey.

Volkan Sarı – CMO. Leads marketing and brand-building. Held senior roles at TurkTelekom and Vodafone before.

Zeynep Dereli – Chief Human Resources Officer. In charge of talent acquisition and culture. Veteran of Danone, Procter & Gamble, Avon Cosmetics.

Korhan Öz – General Manager for International Markets. Leading Trendyol’s overseas expansion plans. Joined from McKinsey & Co. management consulting.

This talented leadership team covering strategy, technology, operations, marketing and human resources has positioned Trendyol for continued dominance in Turkey and greater success abroad.

Is Trendyol Profitable? Investors and Financial Performance

Trendyol has raised an enormous $728 million USD in funding since 2011, but is the company actually profitable yet?

Despite its scale and growth, Trendyol is likely not profitable – which is common for fast-growing e-commerce startups. The company prioritizes gaining market share over short-term profits.

Known funding rounds:

• 2011 – $1.5 million from 212 Ventures.
• 2012 – $26 million from Kleiner Perkins, Tiger Global and other VCs.
• 2016 – $100 million from Alibaba Group.
• 2018 – $200 million from Alibaba Group.
• 2021 – $400 million from Warburg Pincus, Princeville Capital, etc.

Top investors include Alibaba, Kleiner Perkins, Tiger Global and Warburg Pincus. The huge backing from these firms has fueled Trendyol’s technology, inventory, marketing and geographic expansion.

Trendyol does not disclose detailed financials publicly. But typical costs like technology, logistics, customer acquisition and staffing likely outweigh revenues for now.

The priority is growth, so profits are being reinvested to build out infrastructure, add selection, enter new cities and acquire customers. This strategy seems to be paying off based on Trendyol’s market position.

Eventually, Trendyol will likely aim for an IPO and need to demonstrate longer-term profit potential to public market investors. But for now, VC investors are satisfied with the company’s trajectory, vision and continued dominance of Turkish e-commerce.

Environmental and Social Responsibility at Trendyol

As the leader in Turkish online retail, Trendyol takes its environmental and social responsibilities seriously through a few key programs:

Sustainable Packaging – Trendyol aims to minimize packaging waste by using recycled materials and avoiding excess. Reusable packaging is encouraged. Plastic usage is reduced.

Eco-Friendly Logistics – Trendyol analyzes emissions and optimizes routes to reduce the carbon footprint of shipments. Electric vehicles are used where viable.

Donations and Outreach – Trendyol allows donations to charities at checkout. It also does community outreach to support women, children, education, and health causes.

Employee Support – Employees get generous benefits, training, and advancement opportunities. Trendyol promotes diversity, inclusion, and work-life balance.

Seller Relationships – Trendyol works closely with sellers to improve their e-commerce capabilities and assist with financial services.

Ethical Standards – Trendyol sets rules of conduct for itself and sellers regarding counterfeits, fraud, discrimination, and other issues. Violations can lead to banning.

While Trendyol still has room for improvement, it is taking steps to reduce any negative social or environmental footprint while supporting the larger Turkish community and economy through ethical business practices. These efforts can help further build Trendyol’s reputation as a responsible corporation.

Trendyol Controversies

For all its success, Trendyol hasn’t been without some controversies during its rapid growth. Here are a few notable issues it has faced:

Counterfeit Products – Critics have accused Trendyol of not doing enough to detect and remove counterfeit luxury goods and other pirated products sold on its platform. More seller oversight may be needed.

Data Privacy – Users and regulators have sometimes questioned the amount of data Trendyol collects, especially around geo-location and behavioral tracking for advertising purposes.

Treatment of Labor – Trendyol delivery drivers and warehouse workers have alleged poor working conditions like long hours and lack of job security, though pay is above minimum wage.

Tax Avoidance – Turkish authorities have probed large tech companies including Trendyol for avoiding taxes through overseas subsidiaries. Trendyol maintains it follows all regulations.

Unvetted Sellers – Requirements to become a Trendyol seller are low, leading many merchants with little e-commerce expertise or low-quality goods joining the platform. Tighter seller controls may help.

Barriers to Entry – Some smaller Turkish retailers say Trendyol’s scale and aggressive tactics make competing very difficult. Its negotiating power creates unlevel playing field.

Trendyol has weathered past controversies by improving company policies, removing bad actors from its platform, and ramping up quality control measures. But its market position also inevitably invites added scrutiny of its business practices. Maintaining high ethical standards as Trendyol grows will help preserve its reputation.

The Future of E-Commerce in Turkey

Trendyol sits at the forefront of a still fast-growing e-commerce industry in Turkey. Here is a look at where online retail is headed in the country:

• Total e-commerce sales projected to exceed $50 billion by 2025, up from $15 billion in 2020.
• E-commerce penetration of total retail spending will reach 15% by 2025, up from 8% in 2020.
• 71% of Turkish consumers will shop online in 2025 compared to 46% in 2019.
• Mobile commerce will account for 75% of online spending thanks to widespread smartphone usage.
• Amazon’s entry will force more competition and innovation among Turkish e-tailers.
• Sales via social media platforms like Instagram and Youtube will gain share.
• Faster delivery times with same day shipping becoming the norm in major cities.
• Logistics infrastructure and cashless payments will continue to expand across the country.
• Increased cross-border e-commerce after pandemic shortages highlighted risks of imports reliance.
• Sustainability and ethical commerce will be greater priorities for consumers.

With e-commerce penetration still low compared to Europe, the United States and China – Turkey offers major growth potential. Trendyol is well positioned to ride the market’s expansion thanks to its brand, scale, and capabilities. But competitors will continue to challenge its lead across all retail categories. Winning in the 2020s will require localization, innovation and operational excellence.

Final Verdict: Trendyol is One of Turkey’s E-Commerce Stars

In just over a decade since launch, Trendyol has managed to:

• Build Turkey’s largest online shopping destination
• Connect millions of consumers with tens of thousands of businesses
• Develop extensive technology and logistics platforms rivaling the best globally
• Withstand intense competition from both local and global challengers
• Become synonymous with online retail for an entire generation of Turkish consumers
• Attract over $700 million from leading global investors who see immense potential still untapped

While not without missteps and growing pains, Trendyol overall seems to have hit the perfect formula of selection, convenience, and reliability that Turkish shoppers seek.

Despite its already enormous size, Trendyol has room to expand further in Turkey and internationally. Backed by heavyweight strategic investors like Alibaba, ambitions are running high.

For Turkish consumers and brands seeking to embrace 21st century e-commerce, Trendyol provides a powerful platform to connect and transact. No other Turkish online retailer has the same brand equity and capabilities – yet.

Given the positives outweigh the negatives for most objective observers, the verdict is clear – Trendyol is one of Turkey’s premier e-commerce success stories and a good brand worthy of recommendation.

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