Are Refurbished Tech Stores a Scam? Back Market, Reebelo, and Gazelle Tested

Refurbished Tech Store Comparison

• 🎯 The video tests three major refurbished tech stores: Back Market, Gazelle, and Reebelo, by buying and then attempting to trade in the same devices.
• 💡 The experiment aims to evaluate the accuracy of condition descriptions and the trade-in values offered by each company.

Back Market Evaluation

• 📱 An iPhone 12 purchased from Back Market was described as having an "almost flawless body" and "flawless screen" with 100% battery health, which largely matched the received device.
• 💻 A MacBook Pro 16-inch was purchased in "fair condition" but arrived with significant cosmetic damage, including a buckled screen and dents.
• 💰 For trade-in, Back Market offered $130 for the iPhone 12 (purchased for $212) and $241 for the MacBook Pro (purchased for $347).
• ⚠️ Back Market later counter-offered $120 for the MacBook Pro, claiming the screen was cracked, despite the damage being present upon arrival and not affecting functionality.

Reebelo Evaluation

• 📱 An iPhone 12 bought from Reebelo in "excellent condition" had a heavily scuffed screen, contradicting the description of "minor scratches barely noticeable when the screen is off."
• 📱 A Z Flip purchased in "excellent condition" also showed significant scuffs, worn edges, and a large scratch across the camera lens.
• 💰 Reebelo offered $165 for the iPhone 12 (purchased for $213) but later counter-offered $100, citing it as "used."
• ⚠️ The Z Flip trade-in offer of $164 (purchased for $269) was drastically reduced to $47, with Reebelo claiming "damaged with an aftermarket frame."

Gazelle Evaluation

• 📱 An iPhone 12 purchased from Gazelle in "good condition" arrived with minor scuffs but was otherwise flawless, with 100% battery health.
• 💻 An iPad 9th generation in "good condition" also had a clean body with minor wear on the bezel.
• 💰 Gazelle offered $100 for the iPhone 12 (purchased for $227) and $90 for the iPad (purchased for $210), with no changes upon inspection.

EcoATM and Trade-In Conclusions

• 🚗 An additional iPhone 12 was purchased for $233 and traded into an ecoATM kiosk, yielding only $83.
• ✅ Back Market is considered the best of the three for its iPhone trade-in value and the ability to decline the MacBook trade-in offer without loss.
• ❌ Reebelo is heavily criticized for significantly undervaluing devices during trade-in, especially the Z Flip.
• 👍 Gazelle provided a seamless experience with low but consistent trade-in offers.
• ⚠️ The overall conclusion is that while refurbished tech can be a good value, the trade-in process with these companies can be problematic, with descriptions and offers varying significantly.