Are you considering buying from Back Market, but aren't sure if it's safe? Buying refurbished items can be an excellent way to save money, and Back Market is one of the best places that offer affordable refurbished items. While substantial discounts on the marketplace may be appealing, is shopping there really worth it?

In this article, we'll look at Back Market, how it works, and what customers have to say about it. Moreover, we will share some tips to help you have the best shopping experience.

What Is Back Market?

Back Market is an online marketplace where refurbished items are sold for incredibly low prices. Most of the marketplace is dominated by electronics, with a small share of home and kitchen products. However, the marketplace is slowly morphing into other categories.

Back Market Website Home Page

According to the Back Market help center, the company is headquartered in France, but serves customers in more than 14 European countries and the United States.

How Does Back Market Work?

Hands exchanging bag for money across PCs

Back Market provides a marketplace for third-party sellers to sell discounted refurbished items. Therefore, it acts as a middleman between sellers and consumers. Whatever customers buy is shipped directly from the merchants themselves.

Does that mean buying from there is risky, since third-party sellers can't be trusted? That's not the case, and there's a good reason for it: not everyone can sell on the marketplace. Only one-third of merchants are approved to sell on their marketplace following a rigorous vetting process.

For the company to deliver on its promise, it ensures that products sold on the marketplace come from a legit vendor, they are in good condition, and sellers are capable of delivering what is promised. However, does the marketplace treat its customers as kings, and is it legitimate?

Is Back Market Legit?

Without any doubt, Back Market is a legitimate marketplace. Here's why:

  • Founded in 2014, the company has been operating for more than eight years.
  • Since the company has expanded to almost 15 countries, it is not a shady business.
  • The company has good ratings on Trustpilot, suggesting its customers are satisfied.
  • Marketplace sellers are verified, so there's a smaller risk of getting scammed.
  • In addition to offering 1-2 years of warranty, the company offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

The reasons above can lead one to believe that the company is trustworthy. However, before you make a purchase, read what others have to say about the company and find out how to make a safe purchase.

What Do Shoppers Think of Back Market?

Back Market United Kingdom Ratings at Trustpilot

Back Market (UK) has an excellent rating of 4.5 out of 5 on Trustpilot, and more than 80% of ratings are 5 stars. The marketplace ratings are also astonishing in other locations. This clearly shows how satisfied the customers are with Back Market. Furthermore, it indicates that their vetting process for approving limited sellers has been quite effective.

However, like any brand or company, they also have unhappy customers, citing the following concerns:

  • Serious technical issues with the purchased items.
  • Items can be damaged or have broken screens.
  • There is no refund on the order placement fee, even if the order is canceled.
  • Some sellers do not always provide after-sales support.
  • Bad experiences with Back Market customer support.

However, there are more satisfied customers than unhappy ones, as mentioned earlier. So, the main question is: "How can you avoid facing the same issues that unhappy customers have faced and be satisfied with your purchase?"

Tips to Shop Safely on the Marketplace

First, always look for Certified Renewed products when browsing the Back Market. These items are refurbished by the brands themselves and not by third parties. This makes these products more trustworthy. Although they may cost a bit more than third-party sellers, they're worth the extra expense.

hand refusing a shopping bag offered by another hand coming out of a computer screen

With third-party sellers, it is hard to predict that refurbished products will be nearly-new and free of faults. However, these tips will help you buy the right item:

  • Before making a purchase, read the reviews of other buyers.
  • Choose a seller who has been selling on the marketplace for a long time rather than someone who is brand new.
  • Avoid deals that sound too good to be true.
  • Make sure you choose a reliable delivery service. Back Market cannot be held responsible if a parcel is lost or damaged due to negligence on the part of your chosen delivery service.
  • Choose an item from a seller that offers a warranty.
  • Don't buy from sellers who have very few reviews, and look out for fake reviews.
  • Compare the item's original retail price with the refurbished price offered by the seller. It's best not to go for it if the difference isn't significant.

How Good Is the Back Market Sales Process

A Person Holding a Credit Card in Hand When Making Card Payments Online

Back Market has a super smooth order placement and order processing. Besides offering multiple payment options such as Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, and Affirm, the marketplace provides a straightforward checkout process.

In addition, you will receive a tracking ID in the order processing stage, which you can use to track your order until it arrives at your address. It goes without saying that Back Market makes shopping there a calm and safe experience.

Keep in mind, however, that the courier may vary based on your location, so confirm that with Back Market customer support and choose the best option.

What Should You Do After Buying From Back Market?

Once you've made the purchase and the item has arrived at your doorstep, you should do the following:

  • Check the item for any faults. Cell phones' audio should be checked, as most users often experience problems with sound.
  • Keep track of the number of days left until you receive your refund. Ensure that you test the product adequately to return it on time if it's faulty.
  • Remember to leave a review about your purchase so that other buyers can benefit from your experience.

However, if the deals at Back Market aren't appealing to you, you can shop at other online electronics stores.

Enjoy Shopping at Back Market

A limited budget often forces one to choose refurbished items over brand-new ones. If you are also planning the same, Back Market is a good choice worth checking out. Hopefully, this guide has helped you better understand Back Market. Now you can shop more safely and confidently.

When making a purchase, follow the tips in the article. Additionally, if you shop online regularly, be aware of the security risks it entails.