- Who runs Back Market and how the refurbished model works
- What the Back Market warranty covers, and what it won't
- Sending a Back Market order back within 30 days
- Trading in a phone or laptop with Back Market
- Where Back Market buyers come unstuck
- Back Market's own rules at a glance
- Fake Back Market messages and lookalike offers
- My honest take on Back Market
- Frequently asked questions
Yes, Back Market is a legit company: it was founded in Paris in 2014 and sells refurbished phones, laptops and tablets from professional refurbishers, with a 12-month warranty and a 30-day return window on its help pages. The catch is that a third-party seller, not Back Market itself, ships and fixes your device, so the warranty exclusions and reporting rules matter.
Refurbished tech has a reputation problem. Plenty of people still picture a scratched phone in a padded envelope from a stranger, so it's no surprise that "is Back Market legit" gets searched so often. I've gone through Back Market's own about page, its help center rules and the press coverage behind it, so here's a fair picture for buyers and for anyone thinking of trading in an old phone.
Who runs Back Market and how the refurbished model works
Back Market says it was founded in Paris in 2014. It calls itself the world's largest pure-play premium refurbished tech selling site, and its about page lists Clement Petit as Chief Executive Officer. It's also a certified B Corp, which is an outside certification for companies that meet set social and environmental standards.
The important thing to understand is the model. Back Market doesn't refurbish the phones in its own warehouse. TechCrunch described it as a platform where third-party companies list their inventory, and Back Market's help pages say the seller handles your order while Back Market's Customer Care helps when something goes wrong. So when you buy, you're buying from a refurbisher, with Back Market setting the rules and stepping in on disputes.
It isn't a tiny startup either. Back Market says it has raised over 1 billion US dollars from investors, and TechCrunch reported a funding round of 510 million US dollars that valued the company at 5.7 billion US dollars. The same report said 6 million customers had bought a device through it and that it ran in 16 countries.
What the Back Market warranty covers, and what it won't
This is the part I'd read twice before buying. According to Back Market's help center, every device comes with a seller warranty that's valid for 12 months from delivery and covers all defects for hardware and software. If no exclusion applies, the seller repairs the device or sends a replacement, and if neither is possible you can get a refund.
The exclusions are where people get caught out. The warranty doesn't apply if the device is lost, dropped or broken, if it's been damaged by liquid, or if you or a repair shop the seller hasn't authorized has opened it. Back Market also warns that a late report can be rejected, so if a battery or screen misbehaves in week two, raise it straight away rather than waiting to see if it settles down.
- Covered: faults with the hardware or software that weren't caused by you.
- Not covered: drops, cracked screens, liquid damage and devices opened by someone the seller didn't approve.
- Your job: report the problem quickly, through your Back Market account.
Sending a Back Market order back within 30 days
Back Market's returns policy gives you 30 days after you receive your order to send it back to the seller. You start it from Orders, then Get help, inside your account. Before you post anything, the policy asks you to erase your personal data, do a factory reset, take out your SIM card and pack every accessory that came in the box.
A full refund depends on the device coming back without signs of liquid damage, impact or third-party handling. In plain terms: if you're unsure about a phone, test it gently in the first few days, keep the box and charger, and decide well inside the window.
Trading in a phone or laptop with Back Market
The other side of Back Market is trade-in, and this is where it's a real way to turn an old device into cash. According to Back Market's US help center, you pick your device type, answer questions about the model and condition, and a professional refurbisher gives you a price offer. You can accept it, reject it, or redo the assessment.
If you accept, you add payment details under Trade-ins, choosing bank transfer or PayPal/Venmo, plus your name, date of birth, address and phone number. You must be at least 18, and you have to ship the device within 21 days of getting your offer. Once it arrives, the refurbisher has two business days to check it matches what you described. If it does, payment is processed and the help center says funds typically land within 3 to 6 business days, depending on your bank.
If the condition doesn't match, expect a lower offer. That's the honest catch with any trade-in: be strict with yourself about scratches and battery health when you answer the questions. If you'd rather sell an old phone yourself and keep more control over the price, compare the trade-in figure with what eBay takes from a sale before you decide.
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Where Back Market buyers come unstuck
Most of the frustration I see around Back Market comes from expectations rather than fraud. Here's what to watch:
- The seller matters. Different refurbishers list the same model, so read the seller's details and the condition notes on the listing, not just the price.
- Water resistance. Refurbished devices are opened for testing, so don't assume the original water seal survives.
- Slow reporting. The warranty can reject a late claim, so flag faults the moment you notice them.
- Accessories. Check what's in the box against the listing before you rely on it.
For anyone running a small business on a handful of laptops, refurbished can be a sensible way to stretch the tech kit further. And if clearing out old gadgets has you thinking about selling more seriously, my list of side hustle ideas that sit alongside your business is a good next read.
Back Market's own rules at a glance
| What I checked | What Back Market's pages say |
|---|---|
| Founded | Paris, 2014 |
| Who ships and repairs | The third-party seller, with Back Market Customer Care helping on issues |
| Warranty | 12 months from delivery, hardware and software defects |
| Not covered | Drops, breakage, liquid damage, unauthorized repairs |
| Returns | 30 days after you receive the order |
| Trade-in age rule | At least 18 |
| Trade-in shipping deadline | 21 days from your offer |
| Trade-in payout | Bank transfer or PayPal/Venmo, typically 3 to 6 business days |
Fake Back Market messages and lookalike offers
Because Back Market's name carries trust, it's worth knowing how copycats try to borrow it. Be wary of anyone selling a "Back Market" phone through social media, a messaging app or a classified ad, because a real Back Market order lives in your Back Market account. The same goes for emails or texts asking you to pay a fee to release a trade-in payment or to log in through a link.
My rule is simple: open the Back Market app or type the address yourself, and check the order or trade-in from there. If it isn't showing in your account, it isn't a Back Market deal.
My honest take on Back Market
Back Market is a legit, well-funded refurbished tech company with written warranty and return rules, and its trade-in route is a straightforward way to get paid for an old device. It isn't magic, though. You're relying on a third-party refurbisher, and the warranty has clear limits. Read the seller details, report faults fast, and describe your trade-in honestly, and you'll get the best out of it.
Frequently asked questions
Is Back Market legit and safe to buy from?
Yes. Back Market is a real company founded in Paris in 2014. Its help center gives every device a 12-month seller warranty and a 30-day return window, with clear exclusions such as drops and liquid damage.
Who sends my Back Market order?
A third-party refurbisher. Back Market sets the rules and its Customer Care team helps if something goes wrong, but the seller ships, repairs or replaces the device.
Does the Back Market warranty cover a cracked screen?
No. The warranty excludes devices that are dropped or broken, damaged by liquid, or opened by someone the seller didn't authorize.
How long does a Back Market trade-in take to pay?
The US help center says the refurbisher has two business days to check your device, and funds typically arrive within 3 to 6 business days, depending on your bank.
Can I trade in a device with Back Market if I'm under 18?
No. Back Market's trade-in help says you must be at least 18 years old.
