Back Market vs Refurbed

Back Market and Refurbed are both marketplaces for used electronics (phones, tablets, laptops, etc.) that reduce e-waste and extend the lifespan of devices. Both operate in the European market and target consumers looking to save money on a new device while still enjoy reliability (they offer a minimum 12-month warranty). Both use a network of third-party "repair shops" that inspect and refurbish devices.

But Back Market (founded in 2014) is a French marketplace - the leader in the European market, that also operates in around 17 countries outside Europe. They have a stricter seller selection process and not all repair shops are accepted on the platform. Quality control and ratings are centralized. The company is certified as a B-Corp (this is a social and environmental standard) and actively participates in the "right to repair" movement, has partnership with iFixit - an international community that specializes in the repair of electronics.

Refurbed (2017) is an Austrian marketplace popular primarily in Austria, Germany and France. They offer a wide selection: in addition to small electronics, they also offer large home appliances. The company strives to ensure that all refurbished devices "look like new" and are 30-40% cheaper than new counterparts. For every device sold, Refurbed plants a tree to offset the environmental footprint.