Back Market Review: The Refurbished Tech Marketplace That Makes Buying Second-Hand Feel Safe

Back Market’s best-documented strength is device condition and buyer satisfaction. Its U.S. Trustpilot TrustScore is 4.5 out of 5 (“Excellent”) from 19,942 reviews, with 83% five stars. One buyer wrote, “Absolutely flawless experience! I received a highly reliable and pristine refurbished iPhone 13.” Another said a Dell Precision laptop “looks brand new, runs like a dream,” and a third found a refurbished Galaxy S22 was “just as described.” Some customers come back for more: one buyer ordered a second iPhone SE 2022 after dropping the first. Back Market is a marketplace for professionally refurbished electronics, including smartphones, laptops, tablets, game consoles and more, sold by vetted refurbishers at significant savings compared with new, with a warranty, a return window and a trade-in program. Founded in Paris in 2014, it has grown into one of the largest refurbished tech platforms worldwide. It replies to 99% of negative reviews, typically within a week.

The honest caveat: as a marketplace, quality depends on the individual seller. One buyer criticized “The lack of accountability,” and another said “Back market sold me a iphone that IMEI Had been reported stolen.”

Quick Highlights

✅ U.S. Trustpilot TrustScore of 4.5/5 (“Excellent”) from 19,942 reviews
✅ 83% five-star ratings
✅ “Highly reliable and pristine refurbished iPhone 13”
✅ Refurbished laptops that look “brand new, run like a dream”
✅ Devices arrive “just as described”
✅ Repeat buyers come back for second devices
✅ Big savings compared with buying new
✅ Wide range: phones, laptops, tablets, consoles, smartwatches and more
✅ Vetted professional refurbishers, not individual sellers
✅ Warranty and return window on purchases
✅ Trade-in program for old devices
✅ Replies to 99% of negative reviews, typically within a week
❌ Quality depends on the individual refurbisher
❌ Buyers criticize “lack of accountability” in some disputes
❌ A buyer reports an iPhone with a stolen-flagged IMEI
❌ Battery health varies between devices and grades
❌ Cosmetic grades can be interpreted differently by sellers
❌ Resolving issues can involve both Back Market and the seller
❌ 7% one-star reviews

Why Trust This Review

This review draws on Back Market’s U.S. Trustpilot profile (19,942 reviews, 4.5 TrustScore) and Back Market’s published company and marketplace information. GlossGirly has no commercial relationship with Back Market that affects this verdict.

Full Review Breakdown

How Back Market Works

Back Market isn’t a refurbisher itself. It’s a marketplace connecting buyers with professional refurbishers who test, repair and clean used devices before selling them. Listings show the device’s condition grade, price and seller, and Back Market sets quality standards that sellers must meet. Buyers get a warranty and a return window, which makes refurbished tech feel much less risky than buying second-hand from an individual. The savings can be substantial, often hundreds of dollars off a new iPhone or MacBook, and buying refurbished keeps devices in use longer, which reduces electronic waste. That combination of value, protection and sustainability is why Back Market has grown so quickly.

Device Quality: What Buyers Report

Most buyers are very happy with what arrives. “Absolutely flawless experience! I received a highly reliable and pristine refurbished iPhone 13,” wrote one. Another said a Dell Precision laptop “looks brand new, runs like a dream.” A Galaxy S22 bought for a husband was “just as described.” Repeat purchases, like the customer who bought a second iPhone SE 2022, show trust in the platform. Condition grades matter. Higher grades show fewer cosmetic marks, while lower grades are cheaper but may have visible wear. All should work fully. Battery health also varies, so check whether a listing specifies battery condition or offers a new-battery option for phones.

When Things Go Wrong

Because Back Market relies on many sellers, experiences aren’t uniform. One MacBook Pro buyer cited “The lack of accountability” as “the biggest downside.” Most seriously, one buyer said they were sold “a iphone that IMEI Had been reported stolen,” which can stop a phone working on carrier networks. When you receive a phone, check the IMEI using a carrier or free online checker, confirm it activates on your network, and test cameras, speakers, Face ID or Touch ID, charging and battery health straight away, well within the return window. If something’s wrong, contact support immediately with photos and details. Back Market replies to almost all negative reviews, and its buyer protections are there for exactly these cases.

Trade-In, Sustainability and Value

Back Market also runs a trade-in program, so you can send in your old device and get money back, which lowers the cost of upgrading. Buying refurbished is one of the simplest ways to reduce electronic waste and the environmental impact of making new devices, and Back Market has built its brand around that message. On value, a refurbished flagship from a reputable seller often performs almost identically to new at a much lower price. For budget-conscious buyers, parents buying a child’s first phone, students needing laptops, or anyone who doesn’t need the very latest model, Back Market offers excellent value, as long as you choose sellers carefully and test your device on arrival.

Best Products Worth Buying

Refurbished iPhones (e.g., iPhone 13) — check site for current price

Back Market’s most popular category. One buyer received a “highly reliable and pristine refurbished iPhone 13.” Check the IMEI and battery health on arrival.

Refurbished iPhone SE (2022) — check site for current price

A budget-friendly iPhone that one buyer liked enough to order twice. It’s ideal for kids, backup phones or minimalists.

Refurbished Laptops (Dell, MacBook) — check site for current price

One Dell Precision buyer said it “looks brand new, runs like a dream.” Compare seller ratings and condition grades carefully.

Refurbished Samsung Galaxy (e.g., S22) — check site for current price

Android flagships at a fraction of new prices. A Galaxy S22 buyer found the quality “just as described.”

What Customers Actually Think

“Absolutely flawless experience! I received a highly reliable and pristine refurbished iPhone 13.” — Lawrence, Trustpilot reviewer (refurbished iPhone 13)

“the one I just bought looks brand new, runs like a dream” — Jill Winterberg, Trustpilot reviewer (Dell Precision laptop)

“I bought a refurbished phone for my husband and the quality of the phone was just as described.” — Tara Smith, Trustpilot reviewer (Galaxy S22)

“The lack of accountability to what is the biggest downside of working with them” — Eduard Monteagudo, Trustpilot reviewer (MacBook Pro)

“Back market sold me a iphone that IMEI Had been reported stolen.” — Ap, Trustpilot reviewer (iPhone)

Is It Worth It?

Yes, for buyers who want quality refurbished phones, laptops and tablets at significant savings, with a warranty and return window. The 4.5 TrustScore from almost 20,000 U.S. reviews supports it. Choose highly rated sellers, read condition grades, check the IMEI and battery health, and test everything immediately on arrival.

Competitors Table

FAQs

Is Back Market legit?
Yes. Back Market scores 4.5/5 on Trustpilot from 19,942 U.S. reviews and works with vetted professional refurbishers.

Are Back Market phones good?
Most buyers say yes, describing phones as “pristine” and “just as described.” Check the IMEI and battery health on arrival.

Does Back Market offer a warranty?
Yes. Purchases include a warranty and a return window.

Can I trade in my old phone on Back Market?
Yes, through its trade-in program.

What should I check when my Back Market device arrives?
The IMEI status, network activation, battery health, cameras, speakers, charging and biometric sensors.

Final Verdict

Back Market has made refurbished tech mainstream by pairing big savings with buyer protections. A 4.5-star rating from almost 20,000 U.S. reviews, phones described as “pristine,” laptops that run “like a dream,” and repeat customers show that most buyers get excellent devices at excellent prices, while keeping electronics out of landfill.

As a marketplace, it carries seller variability, and a few buyers report accountability problems or serious issues like a flagged IMEI. Choose well-rated sellers, test your device immediately and use your return window if needed. Done that way, Back Market is one of the smartest ways to buy tech.

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