Yes, Back Market is legit — it's one of the most trusted refurbished electronics platforms in the US, earning a RefurbVerify TrustScore of 88/100. But it's not perfect. This review covers what Back Market gets right, where it falls short, the most common complaints, and what to watch out for.
88
Back Market — RefurbVerify TrustScore
⭐ Review Score: 4.5/5 (Trustpilot, 50,000+ reviews)
🛡️ Transparency: High — clear grade definitions, battery disclosure
📋 Operations: Strong — US-licensed, BBB accredited
🏆 Status: Top Rated
What Is Back Market?
Back Market is a French-founded refurbished electronics marketplace that launched in the US in 2018. It doesn't refurbish devices itself — instead, it operates as a curated marketplace where certified third-party refurbishers sell through the platform. Back Market vets every seller, sets minimum quality standards, and backs every purchase with its own 1-year warranty guarantee regardless of which seller you buy from.
As of 2026, Back Market has processed over 10 million sales globally and holds a Trustpilot score of 4.5/5 from more than 50,000 verified US reviews. It has raised over $900 million in funding and is valued at approximately $5.7 billion — it is not a fly-by-night operation.
What Back Market Gets Right
- 1-year warranty on everything: Every device sold on Back Market comes with a minimum 1-year warranty, regardless of the seller. This is better than Gazelle (30 days) and matches Apple Certified.
- 30-day returns: Full refund if you're not satisfied within 30 days. No questions asked on most returns.
- Seller accountability: Sellers are monitored by Back Market. Poor performers get removed. This creates a floor of quality that open marketplaces like eBay don't have.
- Grading system: Three grades — Excellent, Good, Fair — with clear written criteria. Battery health is disclosed on most listings.
- Price: Typically 5–15% below Apple Certified Refurbished for the same device and grade, with significantly better selection.
The Most Common Complaints
Based on analysis of Trustpilot 1-star reviews, the most frequent issues are:
- Device condition worse than described (approx. 35% of complaints) — cosmetic damage not matching the listed grade. Back Market usually resolves these with returns or partial refunds.
- Slow customer service (approx. 28%) — response times can be 48–72 hours, which is frustrating when a device arrives with a problem.
- Battery health below expected (approx. 18%) — some buyers receive devices with battery health lower than the grade suggests. Always confirm battery health immediately on arrival.
- Shipping delays (approx. 12%) — sellers are often small refurbishing operations and delays can happen during peak periods.
⚠️ Most common pitfallCheck the device's battery health (Settings → Battery → Battery Health on iPhone) the moment it arrives, while still in the return window. If it's below 85% on a Grade A listing, contact Back Market immediately.
✅ Pros
- 1-year warranty on all devices
- 30-day no-fuss returns
- Large selection across all categories
- Vetted sellers — quality floor exists
- Competitive pricing vs Apple Certified
- Strong Trustpilot score (4.5★)
❌ Cons
- Customer service can be slow
- Condition varies between sellers
- Not always cheapest vs Swappa
- Some listings lack actual device photos
- Battery health not always disclosed upfront
How to Buy Safely on Back Market
- Choose "Excellent" grade for the closest to new experience
- Filter by sellers with 4.5★ or higher individual seller ratings
- Confirm battery health is disclosed on the listing — if not, you can ask via the platform
- Check immediately on arrival and test within the 30-day window
- Use Back Market's built-in warranty claim process — don't try to deal with the seller directly
Verdict: Back Market is legit and recommended
88/100 TrustScore. One-year warranty, 30-day returns, vetted sellers. Minor issues with condition accuracy and response times, but Back Market resolves most problems. One of our top recommendations for buying refurbished in the USA.