Refurbished returns: 14 days, but who pays the return shipping?
3 min read
The device arrives, you unbox it, and two days later it's obvious it doesn't suit you. Withdrawing is easy under German law. Who pays return shipping is the part it leaves open.
What the law actually says
The 14 days come from section 355 BGB; under section 356 BGB they start once the goods reach you. Section 357(5) BGB governs cost: you pay the direct return cost only if the seller told you beforehand, under Art. 246a EGBGB, or not even then if they offered to cover it. The Verbraucherzentrale Hamburg puts it simply: "Die Rücksendekosten trägt der Käufer, wenn der Händler ihn darauf hingewiesen hat."
Don't confuse this with faults. Warranty and guarantee apply only when something's genuinely broken, and last far longer.
Refurbed, rebuy and Back Market returns (as of 13 August 2026)
For Refurbed returns, the shop's own page says: "Mit deinem ausgedruckten Label oder dem QR-Code vom Verkäufer ist deine Rücksendung garantiert kostenlos."
On rebuy returns, the shop draws a line instead: "Sie tragen die unmittelbaren Kosten der Rücksendung der Ware … wenn der Preis … einen Betrag von 40 Euro nicht übersteigt. Anderenfalls ist die Rücksendung für Sie kostenfrei."
For Back Market returns, the terms of sale say under Art. 7.5: "Sofern in dem Verkäuferblatt nicht anders angegeben, übernimmt der Verkäufer nicht die Kosten." On a marketplace, you deal with the seller, not the platform.
At asgoodasnew it's unambiguous: "Die unmittelbaren Kosten der Rücksendung der Waren trägt die asgoodasnew electronics GmbH." One model from it:
Apple iPhone 15 Pro 128GB Titan blau
View at asgoodasnewAffiliate link. Buying through it earns us a commission; the price stays the same for you.
Two minutes before you order
Every shop's withdrawal notice sits in the footer, opening almost always with "Sie tragen die unmittelbaren Kosten".
And if you test the device during the window, same as in a shop? Costs you nothing extra. Only unneeded handling triggers compensation under section 357a BGB. Which seller works how, see the provider comparison.
This isn't legal advice, just a pointer to your own answer.
All products from this post
The ones we named above are marked; the rest are alternatives in the same category.
Affiliate notice: As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Product prices and availability are subject to change.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who pays return shipping when you withdraw?
The seller pays the return shipping by default. They can only bill you for it if they told you first. That's section 357(5) BGB, and a seller that skipped the notice pays.
Does the 14-day window apply to refurbished devices?
Yes, a refurbished return is an ordinary distance sale, so section 355 BGB applies. Several shops voluntarily grant more: Refurbed and Back Market state 30 days, rebuy 21 days (as of 13 August 2026).
Do I owe compensation if I tried the device out?
Only if the loss in value came from handling that wasn't needed to check the goods. That is section 357a BGB. Switching it on and testing the functions doesn't count.
Sources
- section 355 BGB gesetze-im-internet.de
- section 356 BGB gesetze-im-internet.de
- Section 357(5) BGB gesetze-im-internet.de
- under Art. 246a EGBGB dejure.org
- Verbraucherzentrale Hamburg vzhh.de
- the shop's own page refurbed.de
- the shop assets.ctfassets.net
- the terms of sale backmarket.de
- asgoodasnew asgoodasnew.de
- section 357a BGB gesetze-im-internet.de
