Is Back Market Legit? [2023 Review]

Buying refurbished items can be an excellent way to save money and many have been seen opting for this option, especially for more expensive brands such as Apple devices.

Back Market apparently does a great job at offering premium-quality refurbished commodities at industry-competitive rates. Currently, it is one of Europe’s go-to websites for refurbished electronics and electrical appliances.

However, there have been lingering questions whether it is a legitimate company and if you can trust their products despite the affordable prices offered. In this back market review, we are going to take a deep dive into what it is all about, their products and costs you might encounter. We will also look at other people’s experience with Back market and whether it is the right store to get your refurbished appliances.

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Back Market Review

Table of Contents

What is Back Market?

Back Market is a French online marketplace that sells refurbished devices for reasonable prices. most of these devices are electronic appliances with a small selection of kitchen and power appliances.

Is Back Market Legit? [2023 Review] 20 Though it was founded in France, it serves customers in more than 14 European countries and the United States thus making it one of the largest distributors of refurbished devices in Europe.

Over the years Back Market has done a great job of changing the narrative for its brand and achieving its mission to build trust and desire for renewed devices. There has always been a stigma attached to refurbished gadgets such as multiple scratches and dents, unrepairable parts, very short lifespans etc. but this is not the case when it comes to legitimate sellers such as back market.

All the back market renewed products are confirmed to be in working condition and they work with with only the best recertification factories to ensure top-notch quality of their devices.

Through their platform, the company has helped reduce e-waste and keep used devices out of landfills. Back Market is headquartered in Paris, France and employs around 500 employees. It has also maintained additional offices in Bordeaux, France, Berlin, Germany and New York City, United States.

Who is behind Back Market?

Thibaud Hug de Larauze, Quentin Le Brouster and Vianney Vaut launched Back Market in 2014.

Thibaud Hug de Larauze, Quentin Le Brouster and Vianney Vaut

The three co-founders started the company with the hope of creating a new standard for the refurbishing industry, specifically making these devices regular consumption behavior.

The Chief Executive Officer is Thibaud Hug de Larauze, Chief Technology Officer is Quentin Le Brouster who is in charge of the organization’s technological operations and Chief Creative Officer Vianney Vaute is in charge of marketing and branding.

The three each have masters degrees with De Larauze holding an MBA from the International Management Institute, Le Brouster a Master’s in Network Systems from the University of Paris and Vaute with a Master’s in Digital Media from CELSA.

Furthermore, De Larauze, Le Brouster, and Vaute all had impressive careers before founding Back Market. Both De Larauze and Le Brouster worked at marketplace distribution platform Neteven for more than two years while Vaute worked at advertising agency BETC for three years.

The trio started many massive fundraising drives in order to make their goal a reality. In 2015, they initially raised 300,000 euros from individual investors. They received yet another round of fundraising in 2017 realizing 7 million euros. To add to that, in 2018, the three entrepreneurs raised a whopping 41 million from renowned investors, including Thierry Petit.

Evidently, the startup has partnered with numerous resellers since its launch and has also raised massive investment to expand its services. Aglae Ventures, Eurazeo Growth and Goldman Sachs are a few of its notable investors.

Back market has so far raised more than $500 million in public funding including a $335 million Series D funding round in May 2021, led by American investment firm General Atlantic that was recently concluded .

With all these investments, the company is continually improving its services while also ramping up expansion efforts into international markets. The current Back Market valuation is $3.2 billion.

Back market now encourages users to be part of their Refurb Revolution which is a movement on social networking platforms like Instagram that attempts to shift perceptions about the quality and reliability of refurbished commodities.

What are the Back Market Products?

As mentioned before, Back market specializes in selling renewed devices. They have a massive portfolio that includes refurbished phones, laptops & computers, tablets, audio equipment (earphones, headphones and speakers), gaming consoles, home theatre systems, cameras and home appliances

Some of the Back market electronic devices

Back market kitchen appliances

However, the company is best known for its iPhones, iPads, and MacBooks which are sold at a high rate every day. Many users could even find a refurbished Apple iPhone 12 soon after the phone hit the retail stores in early 2021.

Iphones from Back Market.

Aside from Apple, Back market sell products from other brands such as computers from Lenovo, Acer and LG Electronics; gaming consoles from Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft; and audio equipment from JBL, Sennheiser and Bose.

Back market refurbished Lenovo computer

For home appliances, you have a variety of options including vacuum cleaners, mini ovens, microwaves, steam mops and slow cookers among others.

One of the back market home appliances

Back Market only sells products that have undergone stringent testing and inspection to guarantee they uphold the highest standards.

How does Back Market work?

Back Market offers a marketplace where independent vendors can sell discounted refurbished goods. As a result, it serves as a middleman for retailers and customers. Whatever buyers purchase is shipped directly from the sellers.

However, not anyone can sell with them as they only allow trustworthy sellers on their platform. Setting up shop as a Back Market trader is more difficult than setting up shop on Amazon or eBay.

Before they may proceed and start selling their goods, each vendor must pass the company’s stringent testing process. This demonstrates Back Market’s dedication to selling only high-quality goods and “restoring the consumers’ faith for refurbished electronics.”

Back Market verifies the vendors’ claims as well as the legitimacy of the things they are selling. This promotes customer protection and guarantees that they are receiving the best back market deals. Back Market also orders anonymous goods from refurbishers each week to make sure they consistently uphold their requirements.

It is important to note that the company partners with third party sellers, such as individuals or shops that sell refurbished goods, rather than tech brands.

A one-year warranty and a 30-day money-back guarantee are included with every phone and electrical item sold by Back Market. The corporation also divides its products into categories according to their state: the fewer dings, scratches, or flaws, the higher the price they will sell for.

Depending on the transaction amount and region, Back Market provides free shipping. In most of Europe and the US, shipping is free. The normal delivery time for packages is 1 to 3 days. Some deliveries, nevertheless, can take up to three weeks. Fortunately, you receive a tracking number that you may use to monitor the progress of your order.

Purchase returns are permitted for a period of one month after the purchase date. If Back Market takes responsibility for product flaws or wrong orders, you are allowed to return items without incurring any fees and are entitled to a full refund. If not, you will be responsible for a localized return shipping fee.

how do i buy a product from the back market?

To make a purchase on black market, say if you want to get a phone, you first decide on the brand and type of phone you desire.

You can then narrow down your search results based on criteria such as memory size, phone color, carrier (such as T-Mobile), locked or unlocked status, exceptional, good, or fair condition and more.

Once you’ve chosen the ideal phone, just check out by adding it to your basket. It’s a fast and simple process and back market starts processing your order as soon as you finish checking out.

How much do products from back market cost?

Back Market offers some of the most affordable costs for purchasing a refurbished phone from a reliable supplier. There are always a ton of goods offered, and the costs are frequently pretty affordable. It’s crucial to keep in mind, though, that prices on the Back Market website can differ significantly.

Occasionally, you can find something at a little fraction of the retail cost. Sometimes, the price difference from retail is only a few dollars. It largely depends on the vendor and the product.

So, have that in mind while making a buy on the Back Market: always do your research. You can be sure you are receiving the best bargain on the item you want by taking the time to compare costs.

How to join Back Market

To sign up for the back market services, all you have to do is visit their website backmarket.com. Once you do, click the person shaped icon at the top right side of your screen to create an account.

Is Back Market Legit? [2023 Review] 21

You will then be prompted to enter your names, email address and to set up a password. After you agree to their terms and conditions, your account is all set up and you can start shopping!

Is Back Market Legit? [2023 Review] 22

Back Market will send notifications of the best market deals available to your email to make sure you don’t miss a good deal.

Back market reviews

Back market has received a 4.4 out of 5 star rating on TrustPilot with a mixture of both negative reviews and positive reviews. The company has also received high ratings on other sites such the Better business Bureau and Sitejabber.

Here is what some of the back market customers have to say:

After being badly let down by another company, I must admit I was rather reluctant to order another refurbished iPhone from someone else.

I needn’t have worried! I chose the ‘excellent condition’ option, ordered the phone on a Sunday and it arrived lunchtime on Tuesday.

The phone was perfect, not a mark on it and looked brand new. The battery charges to 100% and works perfectly. I love it. I’ll certainly use Back Market again, probably when I need another iPad! 😊

-Miss Anni Ryan

Really happy with the laptop I received. It was in excellent condition, hardly any wear. I honestly would have thought it was brand new if it wasn’t for the description of it being a grade C I bought.
I had a little issue with the delivery being delayed but that was at no way a fault of black market, totally a DPD issue! But the black market customer service team were amazing in helping me get it sorted. Really informative and replies were always speedy!
I will be using black market going forward for all my future tech needs. Amazing prices, amazing products and top class customer service! THANK YOU 🙂

-Liberty Harvey

I was recommended Backmarket by a young person who had done a lot of research into the best place to buy a second hand phone as buying a new one is very pricey. I just followed her recommendation. Bavkmsrket company policy sounded good and very fair. They act as a middle man between the reconditioned phone sellers and buyers – a bit like Amazon so if something goes wrong they deal with the seller rather than you the buyer having to. .

I was recommended by my friend to buy an iPhone 11. It was great – you got to choose the colour and condition of the phone. The buying process was very easy and couldn’t believe how technology had advanced. I didn’t have to retype all my address contacts from my iPhone 6 but it got automatically transferred just by holding the unlocked phones near each other! I am in my 60s and technologically challenged but it couldn’t have been easier to change my phone which I was dreading. I have only had the phone for a few weeks but so far I am extremely happy with it and trust that if anything goes wrong backmarket will have my back!

-Kristina C

I had extensively promoted Backmarket (and the idea of refurb tech in general) on social media, but unfortunately am now having a very poor experience with their insurance. I paid for a year’s insurance, and cracked my phone my phone last year. I found out (through filing a claim) that you have to send your phone in, and they don’t offer replacement phones. As my job is on social media everyday, I couldn’t at the time send my phone in, so the claim was closed and I lived with a cracked phone for a while. This year, I asked to send in my phone for repair, and apparently as I opened a claim last year (which they rejected due to me not stating how the incident occurred), I can’t now EVER get the refurbished phone fixed without paying in full.
This is super disappointing, and I can’t seem to speak to anyone on the phone to have a real conversation. From my end it looks like they’re doing whatever they can to get out of paying – not entirely surprising but I would NOT recommend this site now.

-Flora

Good bargain Centre to find too range devices at reasonable prices
My issues is with the currier DPD that you contracted to use for delivery or the seller contracted whichever for the interest of customers services there as been insufficient times slot given for the delivery no option as been given for me to collect package at one of their collections points most people work from 8:00- 17:00 I wouldn’t waited home just for collection of a package if I have to go to work , it within the interest of the company to makes sure the item can be collected at a time convenience for the customer not the other way around
for this reason I shall refuse delivery today. I believe without customer service duty and care all business failed

-W.N. MCC

Terrible experience!
After buying a Samsung for 600 pounds, the speaker is not working. I sent it to be repaired as it is under the warranty to be repaired/replaced or get a refund. In the beginning, they said they are waiting for the part to be replaced. After they kept my mobile for 6 days, “repairing it”, they sent it back, still not working (not fixed nor replaced)!
The only reply I got is that I caused the damage(!) which of course is not true, and I can easily prove that! In my opinion, BackMarket, your ethical principles are questionable and doubtful. You should have a closer look at that.
From my experience, BackMarket is an unreliable and irresponsible company with really poor services.

-Victoria

My initial experience was not good. I ordered two phones (both the same but from different refurbishers). The first arrived on time, no problem but the packaging left a lot to be desired and phone was pretty useless (refurbisher was Mobile Crazy Limited). It would not boot fully, kept rebooting and the battery went from 57% to 2% in just over an hour, then the back fell off. The second phone turned up in a Backmarket box which was very good and the new phone was perfect (different refurbisher, BEST4TECH).No issues with it at all.

I went through the process of a refund for the first phone, which happened very quickly and payment has been received into my account within 5 working days. I ordered another phone to replace it and this too came from the BEST4TECH refurbisher and that too is absolutely spot on so if you buy one be careful as to who the refurbisher is. I recommend BEST4TECH as their phones are tidy and I also recommend BackMarket as they have done exactly as they said they would.

-Mark Howles

Frequently Asked Questions

What are refurbished goods?

Refurbished goods are considered to be inferior or even fake goods. However, that isn’t accurate. Reconditioned or updated older items that appear and perform just as well as new are simply referred to as refurbished goods.

There are two major categories; Pre-owned and Old.

As the name suggests, pre-owned refurbished goods are things that have been owned before being swapped back into the stores. These items are pre-owned by nature but have been properly enhanced through recycling.

Older reconditioned items, however, do not necessarily need to have been owned previously. They simply relate to products that have been on the market for a longer period of time, during which time they may have developed problems or needed technology upgrades.

All refurbished products must be repaired or revamped to look and function as efficiently as their brand-new counterparts.

is back market available in my country?

Back Market mostly serves the US and European nations with its services. The online market is accessible in more than fifteen nations including:

France
Germany
Ireland
The United States
The United Kingdom
Spain
Portugal
Switzerland

what is the back market revenue?

Although Back Market’s revenue has not been made public, the startup’s recent fundraising round and valuation give rise to the impression that it is expanding quickly.

What is back market certified renewed?

These are gadgets that have been examined, reconditioned, and cleaned by the original manufacturer or a certified third party. They come in official packaging and with all the necessary accessories, are comparable to new ones in a good way. You may be sure that your Back Market certified renewed product will continue to function flawlessly for years to come.

Furthermore, once you buy from them, you’re supporting the circular economy; which means less waste and fewer resources consumed.

What is the purpose of creating a Back Market customer account?

You can track your orders and see sales on different devices by creating a customer account. Through your account, you may also get in touch with vendors and recommend friends to receive discounts.

What tips should i follow for safe shopping on Back market?

First, if you browse the Back Market, always check for products marked as Back market Certified Renewed. These products are reconditioned directly by the brands, not by outside parties. This increases the reliability of these items. They might be a little more expensive than third-party suppliers, but they’re still worthwhile.

It can be difficult to guarantee that products purchased from third parties will be nearly-new and defect-free. But these pointers will assist you in selecting the ideal product:

Take a look at other buyers’ reviews before making a decision.
Instead of buying from a fresh vendor, go with one who has been active in the marketplace for a while.
Steer clear of offers that seem too good to be true.
Make sure the delivery provider you select is reputable. Back Market is not liable if a package is mishandled by your preferred delivery service and ends up being lost or damaged.
Select a product from a vendor who provides a warranty.
Avoid purchasing from vendors with few ratings and keep an eye out for phony reviews.
Compare the seller’s refurbished price with the item’s original retail cost. If the difference isn’t big, it’s wise to pass.

is the back market sales process efficient?

Order placement and order processing at Back Market are extremely seamless. The marketplace offers a simple checkout process along with a variety of payment choices like Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, and Affirm.

Additionally, while your order is being processed, you will be given a tracking ID that you may use to follow your order until it reaches its destination. It goes without saying that Back Market creates a relaxed and secure environment for customers to shop in.

However, it is important to remember that the courier could change depending on where you are. Verify this with Back Market customer care and select the best alternative.

what steps should i take after buying from back market?

When the item has been purchased and has been delivered to your door, you should:

Verify the product for any flaws. The audio on cell phones should be reviewed because the majority of users frequently have sound issues.
The number of days till you get your refund should be noted. Make sure to thoroughly test the product so you can return it on time if it is defective.
Don’t forget to provide a review after making a purchase so that other customers can learn from your expertise.
If the Back Market discounts don’t appeal to you, you can purchase at other online electronics retailers.

how can i get repairs done on my back market product?

The warranty you automatically obtain with each item you buy covers the majority of repairs. Be aware that the warranty period starts at a minimum of 1 year and varies depending on your country. Additionally, there are a few uncommon exceptions that void the guarantee. If you need to request a repair, sign into your Back Market account, choose “Ask for help” next to the necessary order, and then follow the on-screen instructions.

how do i cancel my back market order?

A product may be returned within 30 days of delivery if you change your mind. Log into your Back Market account (if you haven’t already) and choose “Cancel my order” for the item you don’t want if it hasn’t already been sent. Simply deny the delivery of the parcel if your item has already left the warehouse. If you already own the product, sign into your account, choose “Ask for help” next to the appropriate order, and then specify the reason for the return.

how do i contact black market?

Back Market is a marketplace bwhere knowledgeable refurbishers sell their stock. As a result, the goods you purchase from Back Market are sent to you directly from the manufacturer. However, if any problems arise, Back Market ought to be your first port of call. If you haven’t already, go into your Back Market account and select “Ask for help” next to the appropriate order to begin a chat with them. This connects you to their online chatting platform, where they are delighted to communicate with you!

Why does Back Market require a fee for quality control?

Back Market imposes a fee for quality assurance to fund quality assurance. By using refurbishers, the business is better able to guarantee that customers obtain products of the highest quality and have a satisfying shopping experience.

does back market have a good reputation?

On Trustpilot, Back Market has a fantastic rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars, with more than 80% of reviews being 5 stars. Other places have equally astounding market ratings. This amplifies the clients’ satisfaction with Back Market. Additionally, it shows that their screening procedure for certifying limited vendors has been very successful.

Is Back Market Legit? [2023 Review] 23 But like every brand or business, they too have dissatisfied clients who raise the following issues:

Serious technical problems with the acquired goods.
The screens of objects may be cracked or damaged.
Even if the order is canceled, the order placing charge is non-refundable.
Some vendors don’t always offer post-purchase assistance.
Customer service issues at Back Market.

Fortunately, there are more satisfied customers than unhappy ones.

what are the back market competitors?

Back market’s rivals in the secondhand electronics market include ACES Direct, Talus, Evocomputers and Deane Computer Solutions. Small business owners that also sell refurbished goods are not included in this.

ACES Direct offers a wide range of IT solutions and services in addition to selling refurbished gadgets. It just purchased 4Launch, a well-known retailer of used gadgets in the Netherlands.

The tiny businesses Talius, Evocomputers, and Deane Computer Solutions are established in Europe and sell a variety of used goods, including computers, speakers, headphones, gaming systems, smartphones, and office supplies. New equipment is also sold by them.

Pros of Back Market

Affordable prices

Back Market offers some of the best market deals for refurbished devices. With this marketplace, you’ll find great deals on a variety of products, including smartphones, tablets, laptops and more

high quality products

Back market offers top quality products to its customers and organize their products according to their state; Stallone (the worst), Fair, Good, Very Good, and Mint (the best).

Many customers have reported that the refurbished devices they bought looked new and functioned well. This is because all the items on Back Market are thoroughly inspected and tested to ensure they meet the highest standards.

free sign up

Signing up for the back market services is completely free of charge and you will only need to give your credit card details when purchasing a device.

they have a refund policy

Each Back Market electronic device comes with a one-year warranty and a 30-day money back guarantee. In case of any problems with warranty, defects or issues shipping costs are covered by the vendor.

POSITIVE REVIEWS

Back market has received a number of positive reviews on various sites such as Trustpilot, the better business bureau and Sitejabber. Customers seem satisfied with the services they receive and that is a green flag.

Cons of Back Market

inconsistence pricing

In some cases, the pricing is a bit confusing and fluctuates depending on the vendor. This can be quite disadvantageous as you might not get such great deals for the product you are looking for

No original packaging

There have been a few complaints on the packaging of the products especially Apple products. It seems customers prefer receiving the device with the brand’s packaging.

Negative reviews

Some of the negative reviews Back Market received were for products that broke down under warranty but the reviewer was hesitant to send them back for repair.

There were also some complaints that claimed even if the order was canceled, the order placing charge was non-refundable. Issues with their customer service was also mentioned.

Conclusion: Is it legit?

Back Market is a legitimate online marketplace for refurbished goods. The company’s founders are well known and it has made a name for itself over the years in the industry.

They offer the best deals available and sell high quality products from vetted vendors. In conclusion, I would highly recommend the company if you are looking to purchase electrical appliances on a budget.

Before you leave

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David Fortune

David Fortune has been the editor NoBSIMReviews.com since 2019. He is an expert at writing content on stock advisory services, side hustles, reviewing online business opportunities and many more topics. You can learn more about David on our about us page.

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