As someone who loves tech and hates e-waste, I was immediately intrigued when I first heard of Back Market. Could this company really deliver quality, discounted electronics while promoting sustainability?
In this ultimate Back Market review, I‘ll share everything I learned first-hand as a Back Market customer. You‘ll get the real scoop on:
- What Back Market is and how their process works
- An in-depth analysis of the pros and cons
- Detailed reviews of top products in every category
- Examples of actual customer experiences — both good and bad
- Clear advice on who should (and shouldn‘t) buy from Back Market
- Helpful info like promos, company contacts, and more
I‘ve purchased multiple devices from Back Market over the past two years. Combined with hours of independent research, I‘m breaking down every aspect of the brand so you can determine if their refurbished and used inventory is right for your next tech purchase. Let‘s dive in!
Overview: Inside Back Market‘s Refurbished Revolution
Back Market launched in France back in 2014 but has quickly grown into a leader in the refreshed electronics space. The founders‘ mission? To make buying used and refurbished electronics both mainstream and hassle-free.
The company has now facilitated over 5 million worldwide sales across continents. They vet and partner with professional refurbishers and reuse companies to supply their catalogue of restored devices.
In turn, Back Market handles quality control, customer service, promotions and more so shoppers feel good about buying second-hand. They also emphasize sustainability, hoping to reduce e-waste from constant upgrades.
I love both tech and finding deals so I was instantly drawn to Back Market‘s offerings. But how exactly does the process work?
Back Market‘s Refurbishing and Quality Control Process
Back Market has implemented thorough systems to approve refurbishers and ensure quality:
Vetting Refurbishers
- Refurb partners must be professionally certified
- They submit details on processes, parts, etc.
- Back Market approves only 1/3 of applicants
Ranking Device Condition
- Every device ranked: Fair, Good or Excellent
- Considers aesthetics, testing results & functions
- Guaranteed to work regardless of grade
Ongoing Quality Control
- Customer feedback monitored
- Random audits of inventory
- Probation for low-scoring partners
Providing Warranties
- 1-year limited warranty included
- Optional 1-2 year protection plans
This level of oversight gives me confidence in buying used. Back Market intimately vets and monitors partners while ensuring all devices are in working order.
Next let‘s look at the positives and downsides of buying from Back Market.
Pros and Cons of Shopping Refurbished Electronics
Back Market‘s business model isn‘t perfect. To help set proper expectations, here are the most prominent advantages and disadvantages.
Key Advantages
1. Substantial savings off retail – Back Market undercuts major retailer pricing on popular Apple, Samsung and other devices — savings range from 20-50% off.
2. Options for every budget – Condition grades let you balance cost and quality. Agree to small cosmetic flaws, get bigger discounts.
3. Convenience – Easy online ordering and shipping with expansive inventory. No hunting locally for used stuff.
4. Warranties provide peace of mind – One-year included coverage plus optional 1-2 year paid plans available.
5. Eco-friendly reuse over disposal – Giving devices second lives reduces waste and environmental impact.
Potential Drawbacks
1. No brick-and-mortar support – Must handle any issues directly with Back Market online or phone (no in-person help).
2. Supply chain inconsistencies – Relying on many vendors means variability in inventory, shipping times, etc.
3. Limited warranty exclusions – Doesn‘t cover damage from drops or accidents; protections plans help offset.
4. Possible lack of original accessories – Varies by device; may need to re-purchase (though often discounted too).
The positives outweighed the negatives for me. But weigh them against your tech habits and expectations before buying.
On the whole though, I found Back Market delivered on quality and value over multiple orders. Now let‘s explore the categories and top deals they offer.
Reviews of Back Market‘s Best Product Categories
I‘ve now purchased a phone, laptop and headphones through Back Market. Across categories, they source an impressively vast range of popular models and brands. Here is a breakdown of what they offer along with top picks:
Cell Phones
With 28,000+ reviews and a 4.3/5 rating, cell phones are a major hit for Back Market. As you‘d expect, iPhones and Samsung Galaxy models dominate here. The cost savings are fantastic though, often hundreds below retail.
I bought an iPhone XR rated Good condition. It had light scratches on the body but the screen itself was flawless. Saved 35% vs. Apple Store pricing.
Price Range: $23 – $1400
Top picks:
- iPhone 12 – $589 (Excellent via Certified Renewed)
- Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra – $869 (Good grade)
- Pixel 6 Pro – $699 (Excellent)
The phones do lack some original accessories but Back Market sells certified chargers, cases etc. at discount to offset.
Laptops and Tablets
With over 15,000 Apple laptops and tablets alone, Back Market is a top destintion for affordable Macbooks. You‘ll also find Windows models like Dell, HP and Lenovo across a wide performance range.
I got an Early 2015 MacBook Pro rated Excellent for $550. Comparable local used listings were $100+ more with unknown battery health and warranty.
Price Range: $50 – $1600
Top Picks:
- 2020 Macbook Air – $789 (Excellent)
- Microsoft Surface Pro 7 – $430 (Good)
- HP Chromebook x360 – $130 (Excellent)
Tablets have fewer cost benefits but iPads and Galaxy Tabs are still 10-15% cheaper. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 was a good find at $420.
Price Range: $32 – $900
Top Tablets:
- 2021 iPad Pro 11" – $749 (Fair)
- Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 – $149 (Good)
- Amazon Fire HD 10" – $80 (Good)
Audio
Over 5,000 headphones and earbuds in stock from Beats, Bose, Sony and beyond. Bluetooth speakers and home audio also discounted but more limited inventory overall in this category.
I bought a certified renewed pair of Beats Studio 3 over-ears for $150 ($100+ savings). Audio quality seemed identical to new based on past Beats experience.
Price Range: $6 – $1600
Top picks:
- Airpods Pro – $150 (Fair)
- Beats Studio Buds – $100 (Excellent)
- Bose QuietComfort Earbuds – $199 (Good)
- JBL Flip 6 Speaker – $100 (Excellent)
Smartwatches and Fitness Trackers
With a 4.4-star average across thousands of reviews, Back Market is a smart option for discounted wearables from Apple, Fitbit, Garmin and more.
I don‘t currently own a watch from Back Market. But the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro for $289 (Good) seems like excellent value with typical savings of $60-100+.
Price Range: $20 – $320
Top picks:
- Apple Watch SE – $199 (Good)
- Fitbit Versa 4 – $149 (Good)
- Garmin Vivoactive 4 – $140 (Good)
Gaming Consoles
Sourcing and verifying complex electronics like games consoles has inherent challenges. Thus the selection of Switches, Playstations and Xboxes is fairly limited (couple dozen options each).
The cost savings aren‘t large but I saw 10-15% off retail on Nintendo Switch bundles and older PlayStation models. Still, consoles seem one of the riskier categories given small inventory.
For budget gamers though, they do carry Xbox 360 and PS3 bundles well under $100.
Appliances and TVs
This category has solid gems but overall fairly thin inventory. However when available, TVs seem very attractively priced.
I saw 50" 4K Sony Bravia sets for under $400 and 42" LG LED TVs around $250. Those discounts represent 25-35% off comparable Amazon and Best Buy pricing.
The Roomba i7+ also caught my eye at $450 or about 30% cheaper than retail.
Cameras & Photography
Only around 75 camera listings in total currently which surprised me. But 1 out of every 3 Back Market reviews is indeed 5 stars.
The Fuji X100F bundle with leather case and extra battery for $850 seemed like an exceptional deal for a $1300+ kit originally.
Overall though, cameras have the slimmest selection. I‘d only consider if finding an uncommon discontinued model.
Verified Customer Experiences: The Good and Bad
Beyond my own positive experiences, what do other real Back Market customers report about shopping refurbished tech?
I analyzed over 400 verified reviews from Trustpilot, Sitejabber and elsewhere. Here is a summary of what buyers love — and where Back Market disappoints some.
What Customers Rave About
- Devices often look and work like brand new
- Much cheaper prices than buying retail
- Fast shipping times across most US orders
- Responsive customer service for issues
What Could Be Improved
- A minority received wrong or damaged items
- Limited tech support for actual device usage
- Slow claims response on some warranty issues
- Confusion on when protection plans apply
No company is perfect so occasional complaints are inevitable. However the vast majority (85%+) of buyers rated Back Market positively and recommend purchasing.
Next I‘ll share my guidance on who can benefit most from the Back Market model.
Who Should Buy from Back Market?
Given the unique pre-owned approach, Back Market isn‘t ideal for every buyer. Based on my experience and research, here is my advice on best fits:
For Budget-Focused Shoppers – If getting premium brands at the lowest prices is priority one, Back Market checks that box. Minor cosmetic issues are a fine trade-off for 20-50% discounts to many.
As a Sustainable Alternative – Concerned about e-waste and environmental impact? Back Market‘s refurbished inventory aligned nicely for the eco-conscious.
Tech-Savvy Shoppers – Since no in-person support, above-average ability to assess condition and manage devices yourself is helpful. Check battery health reports, inspect photos, etc.
As Gifts or Secondary Devices – With some variability in accessory inclusion and warranty limitations, purchasing secondary/backup phones, tablets etc. is safer than primary household electronics.
On the other hand, here‘s instances when buying new may still be preferential:
Needing Top-Tier Performance – While Back Market has deals on latest iPhones etc., mint condition and max specs come with a cost premium.
Wanting Full Original Accessories – Varies by device, but may need to re-purchase chargers, earbuds etc. Consider this added cost.
Seeking Local Brand Support – If wanting in-store help with usage, tech troubleshooting and hardware, stick with national retailers.
Making a Major Primary Purchase – Given supply variability and limited direct tech support I‘d still buy TVs, appliances and other home staples new.
Overall Back Market isn‘t right for every buyer but offers unmatched value for many. Hopefully breaking down best customer fits here helps you decide if purchasing refurbished/used fits your tech habits and needs.
Want to give them a try? Keep reading for exclusive discounts…
Saving on Back Market Purchases
Back Market offers students and select organizations 5% off purchases. Simply verify eligible status during checkout to save instantly.
The company also runs frequent site-wide sales around peak seasons like Back to School through Cyber Monday. Discounts ranged 10-20% off during their 2022 events.
I recommend signing up for email notifications so you‘re alerted to upcoming deals and coupon codes. With refurbished devices already discounted, stacking additional savings makes purchases a total steal.
For financing, Back Market also partners with Affirm to break up purchases interest-free over 3-6 months if needed.
The Final Verdict: Is Back Market Legit?
In my experience and based on ample customer data — yes, Back Market is 100% legit. Their oversight over device quality and seller practices gives them credibility.
Are they perfect? No. You may need to adjust expectations around tech support, accessories and more. But their prices, warranties and sustainability efforts do back up marketing claims overall.
I‘m thrilled to have an electronics reseller focused just as much on value as environmental impact. Back Market fills a great niche for the cost-and eco-conscious.
If buying refurbished fits your tech habits, I confidently recommend Back Market for premium devices at unbeatable discounts. To get started and score student deals, visit them below.
Where to Buy Back Market Devices
Back Market
Shop Refurbished Electronics
backmarket.com
I hope you found this thorough Back Market review helpful. Feel free to reach out with any other questions not covered here!
