Hey there, savvy shopper! Damaris here. If you‘re anything like me, you love staying up on all the latest tech gadgets. But you probably don‘t love the eye-popping price tags that come with them. I mean, $1000 for a new iPhone? $2000 for a MacBook Pro? Who has that kind of cash laying around?
I used to think my only options were to settle for outdated tech or go into debt to afford the good stuff. That is, until I discovered the wonderful world of refurbished electronics. Specifically, a magical online marketplace called Back Market.
If you‘ve never heard of Back Market or are on the fence about buying refurbished, I get it. I was skeptical at first too. Will I be getting some dinged up hand-me-down that barely works? Will it break down after a few months? Is it even legit?
Well my friend, I‘m here to tell you that Back Market is the real deal. I‘ve been happily shopping on their site for over a year now, buying everything from iPhones to iPads to AirPods. And honey, let me tell you, I have been thrilled with the quality. We‘re talking like-new condition at a fraction of the price.
Don‘t just take it from me though. Back Market has over 5 million customers worldwide and a 4.5/5 rating on Trustpilot from 8000+ reviews. They were even named one of Time‘s 100 Most Influential Companies. So yeah, they‘re kind of a big deal.
What is Back Market?
In case you‘re not familiar, Back Market is basically the Amazon of refurbished electronics. They‘re an online marketplace where you can buy certified renewed tech products from vetted sellers around the world.
The founders, Thibaud, Quentin, and Vianney, started Back Market with the mission of making refurbished mainstream. They believe everyone should have access to affordable, high-quality electronics (preach!). And by promoting refurbished, they‘re also fighting back against our culture of waste and disposable consumerism. Love that for them.
How Back Market Works
The magic of Back Market lies in their rigorous quality standards and screening process. Here‘s how it works:
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Professional refurbishers apply to sell on Back Market‘s platform. Back Market hand-selects only the best, with a 70% rejection rate.
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These approved sellers repair, restore, and certify used and open-box electronics to like-new condition. Each item is graded from "Fair" to "Excellent" based on its cosmetic condition.
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Sellers photograph and list their inventory on backmarket.com. Customers can easily search, compare models and prices, and buy directly through the site.
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Back Market handles all the hard parts – payment processing, customer support, shipping, returns, etc. They also provide a minimum 1-year warranty on all purchases.
Basically, Back Market does all the legwork of finding trustworthy sellers and quality products so you don‘t have to. All you have to do is reap the savings.
What You Can Buy on Back Market
Now, let‘s get into the good stuff – what kind of goodies can you get on Back Market? The short answer is, a LOT. They sell everything from smartphones and laptops to gaming consoles and smart home gadgets. If it has a battery or a plug, chances are they‘ve got it (refurbished of course).
Here‘s a quick breakdown of their most popular product categories:
Smartphones
Back Market is hands down THE best place to score a great deal on a refurbished phone. They carry all the major brands like Apple, Samsung, Google, and OnePlus. And you can filter by model, storage size, carrier compatibility, or price.
What kind of savings are we talking? Well, let‘s compare a few popular models:
| Model | Back Market Price (Refurbished – Good Condition) | Retail Price (New) | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 11 Pro 64GB | $559 | $999 | $440 |
| Samsung Galaxy S21 128GB | $489 | $799 | $310 |
| Google Pixel 5 128GB | $389 | $699 | $310 |
As you can see, you‘re looking at hundreds of dollars in savings. And those are just a few examples – the discounts get even steeper on older models.
Laptops & MacBooks
In the market for a MacBook or Windows laptop? Back Market‘s got ‘em. They have everything from basic Chromebooks to high-end gaming laptops. And of course, a full lineup of MacBooks, from the humble MacBook Air all the way up to the beastly 16" MacBook Pro.
Here‘s a taste of the savings:
| Model | Back Market Price (Refurbished – Excellent) | Retail Price (New) | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| MacBook Air (13", 2017) | $459 | $999 | $540 |
| Dell XPS 13 (2019) | $849 | $1699 | $850 |
| Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (6th Gen) | $789 | $1599 | $810 |
I don‘t know about you, but I‘d much rather put that extra $500-800 towards a vacation than a shiny new laptop shell. Just saying.
Tablets & iPads
iPads are great, but they‘re not exactly known for their affordability. That‘s where Back Market comes in clutch. They have a full range of refurbished iPads, from the OG iPad 2 to the latest iPad Air and Pro models. And of course, a selection of Android tablets too.
Check out these price comparisons:
| Model | Back Market Price (Refurbished – Good) | Retail Price (New) | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPad Pro (11", 2018) 64GB | $519 | $799 | $280 |
| Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 128GB | $479 | $649 | $170 |
| iPad mini (5th Gen) 64GB | $299 | $399 | $100 |
Whether you need a tablet for work, school, or just streaming Netflix on the couch, Back Market has an option that‘ll fit both your needs and your budget.
Other Electronics & Accessories
Phones, laptops, and tablets are just the tip of the iceberg. Back Market is a one-stop-shop for all kinds of refurbished electronics. Some other popular categories include:
- Headphones: AirPods, Bose noise-cancelling headphones, Beats, Sony, and more
- Smart watches: Apple Watch, FitBit, Garmin, Samsung Galaxy Watch
- Cameras: DSLRs, digital cameras, GoPros, drones, etc.
- Gaming: Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch consoles and games
- Smart home: Philips Hue lights, Nest thermostats, Ring doorbells, etc.
- Home appliances: Instant Pots, Roombas, coffee makers, and more.
Basically, if you can plug it in or charge it up, Back Market probably sells it.
Why Buy Refurbished?
You might be thinking, this all sounds great, but why would I buy refurbished when I could just get a shiny new device? There are a few compelling reasons:
1. Save money (obviously)
The #1 reason to buy refurbished is to save that sweet, sweet cash. I already showed you some examples of the massive discounts, but let‘s put it into perspective.
The average American spends $1200 per year on new electronics. If they bought refurbished instead, they‘d save about $350 annually. Over 10 years, that adds up to $3500!
Think of what you could do with an extra $3500. Pay off debt? Fund an emergency savings account? Take a dream vacation? Treat yourself to those designer shoes you‘ve been eyeing? Hey, no judgment here.
2. Get more bang for your buck
Not only does buying refurbished save you money, but it also lets you get more for your money. That means instead of settling for a lower-end model, you could score a top-of-the-line device for the same price (or less).
For example, let‘s say your budget for a new laptop is $500. For that price, you could get a brand new Dell Inspiron with an Intel i3 processor, 8GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD. Not terrible, but nothing to write home about either.
OR, you could hop on Back Market and get a refurbished 2019 MacBook Air with an Intel i5 processor, 8GB of RAM and a 128GB SSD for the same $500.
Hmmm…a basic Dell or a sleek, speedy MacBook Air? I think we know who the winner is here.
3. Help the planet
Did you know that only 15-20% of e-waste is recycled? The rest ends up in landfills, leaching toxic chemicals into the soil and water. Yikes.
Every time you buy a new electronic device, you‘re contributing to that e-waste problem. In fact, the EPA estimates that recycling just one million laptops saves the energy equivalent of the electricity used by 3,500 US homes in a year.
When you buy refurbished, you‘re not just saving money – you‘re actively reducing e-waste and helping the planet. Back Market even plants a tree for every device sold on their site!
Plus, by extending the life of existing devices, you‘re decreasing the demand for new ones to be manufactured. That means less pollution, less carbon emissions, and less strain on our natural resources.
So basically, buying refurbished is like giving a big ole bear hug to Mother Earth. And who doesn‘t want that?
Real Customer Reviews & Experiences
By now, you‘re probably at least a little curious about shopping on Back Market. But don‘t just take my word for it – hear from some real Back Market customers:
"I was hesitant to drop $1000 on a new MacBook Pro, so I decided to give Back Market a shot. I got a 2019 model in excellent condition for just $849. It arrived quickly and works like a dream. Absolutely zero regrets!" – Jenna S.
"Back Market is my go-to for electronics now. I‘ve bought an iPhone, iPad, PS4, and Apple Watch from them over the past year. Every single item has exceeded my expectations. The quality is on par with buying new, but for way less money." – Tyson R.
"I love that Back Market offers a 1 year warranty on all their products. It gives me peace of mind knowing I‘m protected if something goes wrong. I had an issue with an iPhone I bought from them and they immediately sent me a replacement, no questions asked. Their customer service is top notch." – Maria G.
"As someone who cares about the environment, I really appreciate Back Market‘s mission and business model. Buying refurbished is such an easy way to reduce waste and support a more sustainable future. Plus, I get to save money in the process. It‘s a win-win!" – Liam P.
If those glowing reviews don‘t convince you, I don‘t know what will. Hearing from happy customers is one of the best ways to gauge a company‘s reputation and Back Market passes with flying colors.
Common Questions & Concerns
Before we wrap up, I want to address some of the most common questions and objections I hear about buying refurbished electronics:
How do I know I‘m getting a quality product?
Back Market carefully vets all of their sellers and only approves those with the highest quality standards. Every device goes through extensive testing and restoration to ensure it looks and functions like new. And if you‘re not satisfied with your purchase, you can return it within 30 days for a full refund.
What if something goes wrong with my device?
All Back Market purchases are covered by a minimum 1-year warranty against defects. If your device stops working during that time due to a manufacturer issue, they‘ll repair or replace it for free. For even more protection, you can add their optional 2-year "Extra Care" plan.
Aren‘t refurbished electronics just used devices?
Nope! There‘s a big difference between used and refurbished. Used devices are sold as-is, with no repairs or warranty. Refurbished devices go through a rigorous restoration process to bring them back to like-new condition. They‘re also thoroughly tested and come with a warranty.
Do refurbished devices have shorter lifespans?
Not necessarily. The lifespan of any device depends on factors like usage, care, and manufacturing quality. A well-refurbished device can last just as long as a new one. Plus, with the money you save, you can afford to upgrade more often if you want the latest and greatest tech.
Are the savings really that significant?
Absolutely! On average, refurbished devices cost 30-50% less than buying new. For example, a new iPhone 12 Pro retails for $999, but you can get a certified refurbished one from Back Market for around $629. That‘s $370 back in your pocket!
The Bottom Line
Whew, that was a lot of info! If you stuck with me this far, I applaud you. You‘re now a bona fide expert on all things Back Market and buying refurbished.
To recap: Back Market is an online marketplace for certified refurbished electronics. They offer a wide selection of devices from vetted professional sellers, all backed by a 1-year warranty and 30-day money back guarantee. Buying refurbished is a smart way to save money, get better tech for your budget, and help reduce e-waste.
If you‘re interested in giving Back Market a try, now is a great time. They‘re currently offering $10 off your first purchase with code NEWBIE10. Just click here to shop and automatically apply the discount.
I hope this article has helped open your eyes to the amazing world of refurbished electronics. Trust me, once you experience the thrill of scoring an incredible deal on a like-new device, you‘ll never want to pay full price again.
Your wallet (and the planet) will thank you.
Happy shopping!
-Damaris
PS: Have you ever bought refurbished electronics, from Back Market or elsewhere? I‘d love to hear about your experience in the comments!
