Is Back Market a Scam? How to Buy Safely on the Site

Back Market is an online marketplace that lets independent sellers sell refurbished devices at a lower price. It sounds too good to be true, which begs the question, is Back Market legit? In short, yes—Back Market is legitimate. Still, there are things to be aware of when you’re buying a device there. In this article, we teach you everything you need to know about Back Market, including why they need so much of your information and why they’re so cheap.

Is Back Market a Trusted Website?

According to their website, Back Market is “one of the world’s leading refurbished electronics marketplaces and operates in 18 countries.” Like other e-commerce platforms, however, there are associated risks since Back Market is a marketplace with independent sellers.

Section 1 of 7:

Is Back Market legit?

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Yes, Back Market is a legitimate e-commerce website. Back Market enforces rigorous quality checks to ensure that the product you’re buying is reliable. Their seller support team works with sellers to ensure that quality is up to standard.^{[1]
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Research source} Like any other online marketplace, it’s best to check a seller’s reviews, as independent resellers have been known to scam customers.
- The Better Business Bureau has given Back Market an A rating.^{[2]
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- Trustpilot has rated Back Market 4.4/5 stars based on Back Market’s age and reviews.^{[3]
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Why does Back Market need so much information?

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Back Market needs your info to verify your identity for payment. When you trade in a product, their payment provider uses your driver’s license number and the last four digits of your Social Security Number (SSN) to make sure you’re actually you. They need to verify your identity before they send you money.
- Once your identity is confirmed and you receive your first payment, Back Market erases your personal information to keep you safe and secure.^{[4]
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Section 3 of 7:

Why is Back Market so cheap?

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Back Market is cheap because they sell refurbished products. Refurbished products have the same functions as new products, but they can’t be sold as new since they’ve been used. Refurbishing involves putting pre-owned products through a series of tests and repairs that bring them back to their original performance.^{[5]
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Research source} Since these products have been used and repaired, their value is lower than a new product.
- Refurbished products are different from second-hand products. Refurbished products are professionally tested and repaired to ensure they meet a certain standard. Second-hand products aren’t.^{[6]
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- Some users have received products with faulty batteries. Products on Back Market are required to have at least 85% of their original battery capacity (besides smartphones, which are required to have 80%). If you receive a faulty product, reach out to Back Market to resolve the issue.^{[7]
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Getting a Refund on Back Market

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To get in touch with Customer Care, log into your Back Market account and select “Ask for help” next to the order you’d like a refund on. This screen will give you a series of questions related to your return. Once you answer the questions, you will be led to a confirmation screen before getting an email with the return label and further instructions.
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Prepare your item for return. Review your warranty to make sure your item is still covered. After confirming your warranty, send photos that show each side of your item to avoid a dispute. Then, pack your item with order details and ship it back to the seller. Once the return is processed, you will receive your refund.^{[8]
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- Back Market has a one-year warranty that starts from the date of delivery, so as long as it's within that time frame, you’re good to go.^{[9]
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- Depending on the item you’re returning, you’ll want to back up your data and remove the SIM card to avoid any issues.

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Buying Safely on Back Market

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To stay safe on Back Market, take precautions before buying. Check the seller’s profile for good reviews and a history of selling to ensure that they are legitimate. Also, make sure to ask your seller about the device you are looking to buy. If you notice any discrepancies between the description and what the seller is telling you, proceed with caution.
- If, at any point, you feel uncomfortable, don’t be afraid to back out of the deal and go with another seller.
- Legitimate sellers won’t ask you to pay them outside of Back Market. If a seller asks you to pay them off-platform, don’t buy their product. They are trying to scam you.^{[10]
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- Back Market has all of the information they need for you to buy a product. Don’t give the seller any more information than what’s required.
- Back Market takes 3-7 days to deliver your product, depending on the seller, the item’s origin, and your location. If it takes any longer, reach out to Customer Care for assistance.^{[11]
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Buying an iPhone on Back Market

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Getting a refurbished iPhone is a great way to save money. There are risks, though, as you could possibly receive a faulty device. To avoid these risks, make sure you look into the seller before buying to ensure that they’re reliable. Good reviews and an extensive history are signs of reliability. Don’t buy an iPhone that’s Activation Locked. That means that it was lost or stolen.^{[12]
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- Refurbished iPhones may have a lower battery capacity than new iPhones, but they both have the same features.
- Check for damage when you receive your iPhone. If there are scratches, faulty buttons, or the Lightning connector is damaged, contact Back Market’s Customer Care team to start the return process.

Section 7 of 7:

Buying a MacBook on Back Market

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Research the seller before buying a MacBook on Back Market. Buyers have generally had good experiences with purchasing MacBooks on Back Market, but some have received faulty products. To ensure that your MacBook is up to standard, check the seller’s reviews to make sure they’re selling good products.
- Make sure your device doesn’t have a Mobile Device Management (MDM) profile. An MDM profile means that the device is remotely managed by a company or organization, which is a strong sign that it’s stolen.
- If your device does turn out to have an MDM profile, contact Back Market immediately so you can get a refund.^{[13]
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