Back Market Revamps Grade and Battery Quality Standards for Japanese Market

Back Market Japan Inc. (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, hereinafter referred to as Back Market), one of the world's largest marketplaces specializing in refurbished electronics, announced today that it has revamped its grade and battery quality standards for refurbished smartphones, including iPhones. These revised standards are unique to the Japanese market and are not deployed in other countries. Refurbished products are pre-owned electronic devices that have been collected, inspected, cleaned, and repaired by professionals, ensuring all functions operate correctly.

A survey conducted by Back Market with 1,000 participants revealed that 'when the battery life started to degrade' (69%) was the top reason for smartphone replacement. The survey also showed a strong tendency to prioritize 'price' (61.1%) and 'battery life' (52.8%) when purchasing a new device. To ensure transparency in the customer purchasing experience, Back Market has expanded its battery capacity criteria from the previous single category of '80% or more' for grades A to C, to three distinct options: '80-89%', '90-99%', and '100% (new battery)'. This allows customers to understand the battery's condition in more detail before purchasing.

*Image illustrating the product page (monetary amounts are sample figures)

Furthermore, for the premium grade, the battery capacity standard has been changed from '90% or more' to '100%', and all components will be manufacturer-genuine. The premium grade also features enhanced post-purchase support, with battery returns, repairs, or replacements handled under the following conditions:

Within 30 days: Return or exchange if the maximum battery capacity drops below 98%.

Within 1 year: Repair or exchange if the maximum battery capacity drops below 90%.

■Back Market's Commitment to Quality Improvement

Back Market mandates strict testing and quality inspections for all sellers, ensuring that the batteries of all refurbished products sold meet specific quality standards. The company also strives to maintain high quality levels through anonymous quality checks (mystery orders) and continuous monitoring of customer reviews. All refurbished products come with a free 1-year operational warranty and a 30-day return guarantee.

■About Back Market Japan Inc.

Back Market, a unicorn company founded in France in November 2014, is one of the world's largest marketplaces for refurbished electronic devices such as mobile phones and computers. Operating in 17 countries including Japan, Asia, Europe, and the US, Back Market works to maintain high quality by rigorously vetting sellers, sharing expertise on refurbishment methods, and developing a unique algorithm that balances quality and price. To provide customers with greater peace of mind when purchasing refurbished items, Back Market automatically includes a free 1-year operational warranty and a 30-day return guarantee. The company aims to popularize refurbished products that offer prices lower than new items but quality and warranties superior to used items. Back Market's corporate mission is to continue sustainable and environmentally friendly business activities. In April 2023, it obtained 'B Corporation (B Corp)' certification. Compared to new products, refurbished items use approximately one-tenth the amount of raw materials, water, and generate one-tenth the electronic waste and CO2 emissions during their manufacturing process. Through the expansion of the refurbished market, Back Market aims to reduce environmental impact. https://www.backmarket.co.jp/ja-jp