Backpack isn't "kinda" illegal, gray-area, like AirBnB or Uber. It's straight-up, completely illegal. And this isn't municipality-level policies it's up against, it's customs and border, national law.

I can't see any future where they don't get shut down.

prices are not the same within EU. There is an opportunity here.

Doubtful about backpackbang.

All it is going to take is a couple smuggling stings on the travelers, and then they will have the reputation as not being safe.

I mean, who wants to spend their vacation in a foreign prison, waiting for the consulate? Or risk losing their job for smuggling a couple hundred dollars?

Seems like something wealthy people would be interested in.

Maybe that's why it stands out.

Do wealthy people need all the hassle to save a few hundred dollars on a Macbook?

maybe you want a fancy wine or a cuban cigar.

Maybe whatever you take along has a bunch of cocaine in it.

I'm a pretty experienced traveller and I do people all kinds of favours but I'm fairly picky about what I take across borders for others. As in: I get to inspect the item inside and out beforehand.

If you believe in the backpack idea, here is a whole list http://blog.piggybee.com/2014/08/delivery-by-travelers.html

Even if backpackbang dodges the bullets, I still don't see the market being that big for it. It's a total niche service.

I'm in Eastern Europe right now, and the percentage of people I know who do this, either via a friend, friend of a friend, or a client, is high.

Obvious, though not insurmountable, problems aside, I disagree it's niche.