What is Back Market UK?

Back Market UK is a leading online marketplace specializing in professionally refurbished electronics, offering discounted smartphones, laptops, games consoles, and appliances. It acts as a trusted intermediary connecting consumers with certified refurbishers, providing a 1-year warranty and 30-day return policy for all items.

Does Back Market work in the UK?

Back Market is currently available in 13 European countries, Australia, Japan, the UK, and the United States of America. We work closely with sellers around the US. When looking at a specific item, you'll see the seller of the device, their location, and where the shipment is coming from.

What is the difference between the big phone store and the Back Market?

Back Market and The Big Phone Store both sell refurbished phones — but how they do it is very different. Back Market is an international marketplace that connects you with independent sellers. The Big Phone Store is a UK-based refurbisher that restores and sells its own stock, direct to customers.

What are the risks of buying a refurbished phone?

What Are the Security Risks of Refurbished Phones?

• "Refurbished Phone Can Be Hacked." ...
• "Refurbished Devices Are in Unpredictable Condition, Which Leads to Poor Performance." ...
• "Refurbished Phones Are Cheaper, but They Will Break and Require Additional Expenses."

Why do Back Market prices change so much?

Prices are not necessarily always consistent for several reasons. Firstly, Back Market is a marketplace, not a seller. Sellers offering devices for sale on Back Market set their own prices freely for each product.

Don't Buy a Phone From This Company...

Is Back Market used or refurbished?

Other renewed electronics sold on Back Market have been tested, refurbished and cleaned by independent refurbishers. These don't usually come with original accessories or packaging, but they are still guaranteed to have perfect functionality.

What country is Back Market from?

Back Market is a French company, founded in Paris in 2014, that operates as a global online marketplace for professionally refurbished electronics, with its main headquarters in Paris and Bordeaux, France, serving customers across Europe, the U.S., and Japan.
 

Why does Back Market need my social security number?

Long answer — our payment provider Adyen requires your full driver's license number or the last 4 digits of your Social Security Number (SSN) to confirm your identity and transfer money into your bank account. Your personal information is completely secure and is only used to verify your identity and prevent fraud.

How long does Back Market take to deliver in the UK?

Our sellers only ship on business days (no weekends or holidays). Orders placed after 1 PM will be shipped out the next business day. If your order contains a large device (e.g. TV), it'll ship within 2 business days.

Can you return things from Back Market?

You're free to change your mind about your order for any reason within the first 30 days of receiving it. Sometimes issues only appear after prolonged use, which is why we also provide a 1-year warranty. The warranty starts on the date of delivery and covers hardware defects.

What is the best site to buy used phones?

The best websites for used phones often include major marketplaces like Amazon Renewed, eBay, and specialized refurbished sellers like Back Market, MusicMagpie, and Swappa, offering a range from budget to near-new devices with warranties; direct manufacturer sites like Apple Certified Refurbished and Samsung Certified Renewed provide premium, certified options, while platforms like Giffgaff (UK) offer great value and detailed condition checks. Your choice depends on your priority: Amazon/eBay for broad selection, specialized sites for quality certification, or direct manufacturer for peace of mind. 

Where does Back Market ship from?

Back Market worldwide delivery from France and the United States.

How do I spot a fake refurbished product?

Look for Authentic Refurbishment Certification

One of the clearest signs of a fake refurbished laptop is the lack of official certification. A legitimate refurbished device should come with a certificate or proof that it was restored either by the manufacturer or an authorized refurbisher.

Does Back Market use genuine parts?

Premium devices are the best devices offered by sellers on Back Market because: They have flawless screens and bodies that show no signs of use. They contain only genuine manufacturer parts and batteries. Their batteries come with a minimum of 90% capacity.

Is Back Market reputable?

Yes, Back Market is generally considered legit and trustworthy, operating as a large marketplace for refurbished electronics with good reviews, strong warranties (1-year minimum), and a 30-day return policy, though some individual seller issues can occur, making it wise to check seller ratings for the best experience. They vet their sellers, enforce quality standards, and offer protections for buyers, making them a solid choice for refurbished tech. 

What is the 40-80 rule on iPhones?

The 40-80 rule for iPhones is a guideline suggesting you keep your phone's battery level between 40% and 80% to maximize its long-term health and lifespan, as lithium-ion batteries experience more stress at very low (under 20-30%) or very high (over 80-90%) charge states, leading to faster degradation. While Apple's built-in Optimized Battery Charging helps, manually managing this range (e.g., charging to 80% and unplugging) reduces the battery's chemical aging, extending its useful life before it needs replacement, though it requires more user effort. 

What time of year is best for phone deals?

The best times for phone deals are Black Friday/Cyber Monday (late November), January sales, and around new model launches (like September for iPhones or February for Samsung) when older models get big discounts. Other good periods include Boxing Day and the Back-to-School season, offering significant price drops, especially for slightly older, but still great, devices.