Setting the Record Straight: My Perspective on Beneko (formerly Bestcena)
Stefan Durina
Circular e-commerce & telco pro. 2M customers, €500M GMV. Pioneering smartphone rental, subscription, resale, & recommerce solutions. ??->??->??->????
Today, I was made aware of an article that extensively mentions my name in relation to Bestcena. Although the article is in Polish, I took the time to translate it to share my side of the story. As someone who has never been in the public eye before, please bear with me as I navigate this unfamiliar territory. Bestcena is a company I founded in 2006 and expanded to Poland in 2014, with a simple goal in mind: to provide the best deals on popular electronics. As I reflect on the journey, it's essential to remember that in the face of competition, businesses must constantly adapt and strive for excellence.
Origin and Vision:
I come from humble beginnings, driven by a dream to build something greater than myself. Being passionate about technology and a self-proclaimed geek, I always yearned to experience the latest gadgets but lacked the financial means. From a young age, I immersed myself in the world of technology, establishing a modest e-commerce venture in 1998. Since then, my passion for e-commerce has grown exponentially. Today, I can proudly say that I am an expert in cross-border e-commerce, constantly honing my skills and knowledge.
Amidst changing times and fierce competition, businesses must explore new horizons beyond traditional models. During my time in the United States, I encountered concepts like Software-as-a-Service and Product-as-a-Service, learning valuable lessons from retailers and adopting the best practices to bring back to Europe.
Products-as-a-Service:
Bestcena's core philosophy revolved around selling Products-as-a-Service. In simple terms, our customers paid a lower initial price compared to outright purchases. This entitled them to anytime upgrades to the latest models, the flexibility to return the product whenever they wished, the assurance of trusted service partners, and the guarantee of responsible refurbishing or recycling. The aim was to combat the staggering reality that in Europe alone, one million mobile phones are discarded daily, leading to detrimental environmental consequences. Recognizing my past contribution to this problem, I vowed to change my approach. By encouraging customers to return products they no longer use, we incentivized recycling and reduced waste that would otherwise end up in landfills or oceans.
A Vision for a Better World:
My vision is one of coexistence between our planet and the products, services, ideas, and people that inhabit it. In this world, products never end up discarded or forgotten; they have the right to be repaired and repurposed. When a customer returns a product, it gains a second life in the hands of another individual. We now have the power to make choices that contribute to creating a better world.
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Rebranding to Beneko:
As Bestcena continued to grow and expand its reach, we realized that the name no longer encompassed our core values and aspirations. We have since rebranded to Beneko, a name that represents our commitment to value-driven propositions that are economically smart and ecologically friendly. Additionally, in some languages, "Bestcena" translates to "best dinner," which in no way corresponds with our business. The rebranding effort has taken place across all our operations as we continue to evolve from e-shops to marketplaces and telecoms. Our goal is to create an ecosystem that combines the best of all worlds, where our customers may never want to leave.
Addressing Misinformation:
While I recognize that everything found on the internet may not be true, I believe it is crucial to clarify the misinformation presented in recent articles. Engaging in an exhausting battle of words to defend against lies and half-truths would divert my energy and time from my true purpose. Instead, I entrust such matters to our legal team, who will handle any necessary actions. With a clear vision for Beneko, I understand that our approach may not suit everyone, and we anticipate attacks from our competitors. Nonetheless, what truly matters to us is ensuring the happiness of our customers while safeguarding our planet.
Conclusion:
I welcome any questions or inquiries by email at [email protected]. While English is my preferred language, I am also capable of using translation tools to read your emails in other languages. Together, let us strive towards a more sustainable future and foster a world where products, services, ideas, and people coexist harmoniously without causing harm.