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Trade-Ins and Exchanges

You will learn how to process trade-ins and exchanges in Bravo by applying item value toward new purchases, updating inventory, and finalizing the transaction.

Last Updated:  4/22/2025

To enable trade-ins and exchanges, contact a Bravo representative.  This article will cover both the trade-in process and the exchange process, noting the differences between the two.

First, let's define the terms to clarify the difference between a trade-in and an exchange:

  • Trade-In: Traditional Trade-In - In a traditional retail trade, an item's value is estimated at the time of trade, such as during a purchase. This involves exchanging one item for another without a refund of the original purchase. 
  • Exchange: Return of an item previously purchased at a Bravo store for credit that can be used to purchase another item.

Select a link below to jump to that section of the article:

 - System Configuration

- Add an Item to Sell

- Processing an Exchange

- Tax Credit Evaluation and Tender Reconciliation

 

System Configuration

First, the store needs to be set up to handle trade-ins and exchanges properly, so the items sold to customers are charged the correct tax amount.

  • To set this, go to System Configuration from the Bravo Dashboard:
  • Select the Configuration tab and expand the POP CONFIG menu:
  • Select the Trade-In Taxable option.
  • If trade-ins and exchanges do not provide tax credit to sales within the same transaction, the checkbox should be disabled.
  • If tax is credited on trade-ins and exchanges, the checkbox should be enabled. Select Edit if the checkbox needs to be changed from its current configuration. Commit your changes by selecting Save. 

In addition to the store's configuration, there are also employee security settings that determine which employees are allowed to process trade-ins and exchanges.

  • Set the permissions for your employees by selecting them in System Configuration, go to the Employee, selecting the Security tab, and editing the following security bits: 
  • Main Menu > Transactions > Point of Sale > Exchange
  • Main Menu > Transactions > Point of Sale > Refund/Exchange

- Means the employee can begin processing an exchange. 

- Means an exchange requires a manager's approval.

Additional security settings to set for the employee below:

  • Main Menu > Transactions > Point of Pawn > Trade-In
  • Main Menu > Transactions > Point of Pawn > Trade-In Ticket

 

- Means the employee can begin processing a trade-in and the Trade-In tab will be visible in the Estimator.

- Means the employee will not be able to process a trade-in and the Trade-In tab will not be visible in the Estimator.

 

Instructions

Add an Item to Sell

Trades require selling an item, making a Layaway payment, or creating a new Layaway.

  • Enter an inventory number or barcode and select Sale or Layaway.
  • Alternatively, search for a customer to add a Layaway payment or select Merchandise Services Fees for miscellaneous items.

Evaluating an Item for a Trade-In

For items not previously purchased, enter them as trade-ins in the Estimator.

  • Use Bravo's Smart Search or select General Merchandise or Jewelry.

For example, if trading in jewelry:

  • Enter item details and select the Trade tab.
  • The Trade tab displays:
  • Trade Amount - Store credit before tax, at least equal to Cost.
  • Estimated Trade Amount - Suggested Trade Amount based on similar items.
  • Cost - Cost assigned to the item in your Inventory Base.
  • Estimated Cost - Recommended Cost from the Estimator.
  • Hold per Buy Requirements - Default enabled for stores with a Buy Ticket Hold Period.

Use the Add Jewelry and Add Merch buttons for trade-in tickets.

  • These buttons allow multiple-item Trade-In tickets, adhering to the Buy Ticket Hold Period.

You can also use General Merchandise or Jewelry buttons to manage Trade-In tickets.

  • Items from different tax groups cannot be combined on the same ticket.

For instance, a nontaxable gift card and a taxable console cannot be on the same ticket.

  • Select Edit on a Trade-In item to adjust Trade Amount and Cost.
  • The Trade-in will receive a ticket number following the Buy ticket system.
  • Items will also be included in the next day's police export.

Watch how Trades apply when dealing with Firearms with the video below on making a Firearm Trade for Pawnshops below video

 

 

Processing an Exchange

There are two ways to add an item to be exchanged.

  • One way is to enter a SOLD item inventory number or scan the barcode into the Smart Search
  • This will pull up the item and allow you to select the Exchange button on the right panel.
  • Alternatively, you can pull up a customer in the Transactions screen and select the Return/Exchange/Trade-In button on the right panel.
  • Doing this will display the Items available for Return/Exchange/Trade-In dialog.
  • You can select an item from the list and then click the Exchange button.
  • There are other buttons at the bottom of this window to Trade-In Jewelry, Trade-In GM, and Return.
  • These shortcut buttons will help you process a trade-in item, as outlined above.
  • Once the item has been selected to be exchanged, the Exchange Detail dialog will appear.

Note: The Exchange Amount must be greater than or equal to Cost.

You can designate the following values:

  • Trade Amount - The pretax store credit for the item, defaulting to the original sale amount. Adjust it based on what you'd set for new inventory. It must be at least equal to the Cost.
  • Cost - The cost assigned when added to your Inventory Base, defaulting to the last cost due to prior sale. Adjust based on what you'd pay a customer for a Buy ticket.
  • Note - Use this field for the exchange reason, item damages, or other relevant details.

Exchange items aren't subject to the Buy Ticket Hold Period and are listed as individual line items on the Transactions screen.

  • To add more Exchange items, repeat this process. Click the Edit button on an Exchange line item to modify the Trade Amount, Cost, and Notes.

Watch this video on how How to Perform an Exchange

 

Tax Credit Evaluation and Tender Reconciliation

After all Trade-in items, Exchange items, Sales and Layaways have been added to the transaction.

  • Select Next on the Transactions screen to be taken to the Tender Screen.

 

The breakdown of trade-in and exchange-related values here is as follows:

  • Trade amount from the trade-in items will appear in the Pawns/Buys line.
  • Layaway payments will appear in the Layaway Payments line.
  • Sales will appear in the Sales line.
  • Sales tax for the item will appear in the Sales line.
  • Tax credits from trade-in and exchange items will appear in the Transaction Credits line.

Tax credits are limited to:

  • Maximum credit = (Trade + Exchange amounts) × Tax rate.
  • Only applied if you have enough sales/layaway payments.
  • Unused tax credits are not refunded in exchanges, use Returns instead.