Are mystery boxes from eBay, MediaMarkt & Co. worth it? | FYI – our research, your advantage NDR
Smartwatch, tech, or just junk? We bought three mystery boxes – one for €10, one for €50, and one for €100 – and checked: What's really inside? ➡️ Vending machine items, eBay package, and MediaMarkt box 📦 Whether on TikTok, YouTube, or Instagram – mystery boxes are currently going viral. The promises: tech gadgets, surprises with high-value goods, sometimes up to €300. But is that really true? What do I get for my money? We not only check the contents but also show how the business with returned goods really works – and how much retailers earn from the boxes. ------------ 00:00 The story behind the mystery box hype 01:11 Buying a €10 mystery box from a vending machine – What's inside? 02:09 Operator of the vending machine 03:37 Scam site for mystery boxes 04:31 €50 mystery box from eBay - What's inside? 05:49 Right of withdrawal for mystery boxes 06:50 Visit to the returns dealer 09:03 €100 mystery box from Media Markt - What's inside? 10:58 Bargain or junk? 12:05 Items from Asia in the EU 13:01 Conclusion -------------- Note: This video is part of FYI – Our Research, Your Advantage NDR, a format by NDR and rbb. It was published on May 21, 2025, on the ARD Marktcheck channel. By the way: Since Marktcheck belongs to ARD, you can download this video for free via Wi-Fi and watch it offline on the go! ---------------- 📢 What do you think of mystery boxes? Let us know in the comments! 🔔 If you enjoyed the video, please give it a like and subscribe to ARD Marktcheck for more exciting investigations. Subscribe here: / @marktcheck 👋 WELCOME TO FYI – Our Investigation, Your Advantage! You're probably already familiar with the exciting consumer tips from our colleagues at Marktcheck SWR, Markt NDR and WDR, SUPER.MARKT rbb, Voss & Team, buy better, Eine Minute Geld, and ECHT?. FYI – Our Investigation, Your Advantage complements the diverse content on the ARD Marktcheck YouTube channel and delivers a new investigation every two weeks, always on Wednesdays at 5 p.m. Discover the best tips for your everyday life – exclusively with our investigations! ✔ We test, question, and uncover problems – right where it matters. ✔ We'll make you smarter in everyday life and show you how to protect yourself from scams. ✔ Because: Our research is your advantage, allowing you to share useful knowledge with your friends and acquaintances. Author: Florian Heide Image source: Adobe Stock/vectorfusionart/graphixmania picture alliance/dpa|Armin Weigel --------------------- ► • Diese Firmen wollen dich vor Bußgeld rette... ► • Life Coaching: Hilfe oder Abzocke? Mein Se... ► • Mystery-Boxen – was steckt wirklich drin? ... ► • SO werden wir beim Einkaufen getäuscht – f... ► • Mysteriöse Coladose: ungeöffnet, aber trot... --------------------- ► More current information on our homepage: marktcheck.ard.de ► More practical everyday tips and tricks on our Facebook page: facebook.com/marktcheck ► We look forward to your comments – but please observe netiquette: ard.de/die-ard/netiquette-100 ► Our legal notice: https://www.swr.de/impressum/ ►Our privacy policy: https://www.swr.de/datenschutz #mysteryboxes #unboxing #ebay #mediamarkt