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Is BackMarket Legit? An In-Depth Look At The Popular Refurbished Electronics Marketplace
When shopping for used or refurbished electronics, there are many online options to choose from. One site that has gained significant popularity in recent years is BackMarket.com. In this comprehensive review, we’ll take an in-depth look at BackMarket to determine if it is truly a safe and legitimate place to purchase pre-owned products.
Background on BackMarket
Founded in 2014, BackMarket is an e-commerce marketplace based in Paris, France that specializes in selling inspected and certified refurbished electronics. Their product selection includes smartphones, laptops, gaming consoles, cameras and more from top brands like Apple, Dell, Microsoft and Sony.
BackMarket aims to offer significant savings compared to new products while still ensuring quality and dependability through their vetting and refurbishment processes. Sellers on the platform are required to meet stringent standards in order to sell their refurbished inventory.
The company has rapidly expanded, now shipping globally to over 30 countries. This growth shows their model is resonating with budget-conscious consumers who still want premium technology. But is BackMarket truly trustworthy? Let’s explore various factors in more depth.
Refurbishment & Grading Process
One concern buyers may have is the condition and reliability of “used” devices sold through third parties. However, BackMarket provides assurance through their detailed device grading and refurbishment procedures.
All sellers must test, grade on a A++ to C- scale, and certify each product meets over 400 individual quality checks. Any device with issues is not approved for sale. BackMarket also handles refurbishment, covering repairs, component replacement, and complete disinfection using medical-grade materials.
These strict standards are meant to give buyers peace of mind they are receiving a thoroughly inspected unit that operates like new, while still offering 50-90% savings over retail. Customers can also feel confident any sensitive personal data was removed from returned devices.
Payment Security & Buyer Protection
When making purchases online, protection and security of payments is important. On BackMarket, all payment processing happens through their own secure servers, not third parties. Major credit/debit cards and PayPal are accepted worldwide.
Comprehensive buyer protection policies also instill confidence. Items come with a standard 12-month warranty provided by BackMarket against any defects. Extended warranties are available as well. Returns are allowed within 30 days for any reason with a full refund.
In the rare event of an unresolved issue, an insurance guarantee through Axa covers the full purchase price. This provides a financial safety net should any certified “excellent” graded device prove defective after the standard warranty expires.
Shipping & Delivery Options
Worldwide shipping is handled through major carriers like UPS, Fedex and DHL depending on the destination country. International deliveries normally arrive within 5-10 business days on average once shipped.
Expedited 2-3 day delivery is offered for an additional charge in select locations. Customs/vat fees are clearly displayed at checkout so buyers know all costs upfront. Large or bulky items have shipping estimations provided case by case.
For environmentally-friendly shoppers, BackMarket is also committed to sustainability initiatives. They aim to offset all carbon emissions from shipping through partner reforestation projects. Packaging materials are either recyclable or made from renewable resources as well.
Seller Qualifications & Marketplace Size
There are strict vendor qualifications to sell through BackMarket. Only professional refurbishers, repair shops and liquidators approved through a multi-point evaluation can list inventory. Individual resellers are not permitted.
This centralized review process helps maintain consistent quality standards across all merchants. Currently there are over 200 certified seller partners worldwide who supply BackMarket’s storefront of tens of thousands of inspected devices.
Major OEM brand flagship devices remain the most widely available models. However, the catalog continues diversifying as the company adds new sellers. Customers have a very good chance of finding their desired device and configuration with so many options available.
Customer Support Standards
According to various review platforms, BackMarket customer service tends to receive praise for prompt response times and willingness to find resolutions. They can be reached via phone, email, live chat or social networks depending on location.
An online help center also provides self-service resources with answers to frequently asked questions. Full contact details are clearly listed on every site page for easy access to agents during regular business hours.
While not perfect, most issues seem addressed satisfactorily according to user reports. BackMarket aims to respond to online inquiries within one business day and aims to solve ticket escalations within 72 hours for greatest satisfaction.
Security & Privacy Protections
Protecting sensitive customer information is always a concern, but BackMarket maintains robust security standards to instill confidence. Data transmission occurs over secured HTTPS connections with industry-standard encryption protocols implemented.
Personally identifiable details like names, addresses and payment info are kept confidential in accordance with GDPR and other global privacy compliance rules. Credit card numbers are never directly stored by BackMarket after transactions complete.
The company also undergoes independent penetration testing, has data breach response policies, and equipment/infrastructure is kept current with the latest security updates and patches. Overall, technical measures seem reliable to safeguard shopper accounts and transactions.
Is BackMarket Right For You?
After this exhaustive look under the hood, it appears BackMarket truly aims to provide a secure and legitimate marketplace experience focused on quality refurbished electronics. Here are some key considerations:
- Budget shoppers seeking big savings on premium devices will find the best selection and deals.
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International shipping is convenient globally but check any custom/duty fees displayed during checkout.
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All inspected products come with a warranty and protection against defects, ensuring peace of mind purchases.
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Payment security feels robust and customer service seem responsive according to most user reviews.
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Sustainable practices like recycling and offsetting emissions suit environmentally-friendly shoppers.
Provided one sticks to “A” or “B” graded items, most users report being very satisfied with BackMarket purchases. Just be aware selection/availability varies by region. Overall, it seems like a trustworthy option for refurbished tech needs when buying from certified sellers.
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How To Get The Best Deals On BackMarket
To maximize savings potential when shopping BackMarket, consider these tips tested by savvy deal-hunters:
- New inventory drops daily so check back often or enable email alerts for desired models. Popular items sell out quickly.
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Use promo codes shared on deal sites or through affiliate links. Sign up for BackMarket’s newsletter to receive codes too.
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Large refurbishers sometimes discount further as products approach the end of their certified grading windows.
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Bundle eligible items together to automatically apply any multiple item discounts at checkout.
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Opt for slightly lower graded “B” units over “A++”, as condition differences are often minor while savings can be $50-100 more.
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Check third party coupon sites like Capital One Shopping for additional cashback offers when buying through their special BackMarket links.
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Consider extended warranties if purchasing higher priced electronics to get full coverage for longer peace of mind.
With diligent hunting and product research, it’s definitely possible to score exceptional condition refurbished tech from BackMarket at prices that are truly hard to beat anywhere else.
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