Have you ever wondered whether or not you should buy that discounted “Open Box” item? Where should you go to find the best deals on quality items?

An “Open box” item refers to a product that was returned to the original retailer. A buyer may return an item for as trivial a reason as not liking its color. These items are often completely new and unused. Most reputable companies such as Amazon, etc. inspect the items before resale.

We also take the time to add a second layer of consumer protection by double-checking items for functionality and the inclusion of its original accessories and/or manual. If these are missing or there are signs of wear and tear we will clearly say so in our listing descriptions and include detailed photos.  

Only about 5% of items are ever returned because of a defect.

We are so confident in our processes that if for some reason our inspections miss a defect, we are always happy to pay for the return and refund or exchange for any available comparable items in our store.

Another source of our inventory is the floor models of many products that can no longer be directly sold. These are often missing the original packaging but are in excellent condition so we can offer you an even bigger bargain! Again these will be clearly marked in our product listings.

Open box is NOT the same as a refurbished item. A refurbished item is one that has been “repaired” to return to working condition. However, these are not always reliably high quality as they must at least be refurbished by the original manufacturer. Some smaller online stores may claim that their items are refurbished but that may not always mean the same thing…  

Here are some tips to keep in mind when you are considering buying that open box item:

1. What is the return policy and cost from the store or seller? If there are no returns accepted you are buying an item “as is” and are not protected if the item is not actually functional. (We always guarantee or offer to pay for the return/refund!)

2. Who is the seller? If you are buying from a large store such as Amazon you can generally depend on their open box quality. However, smaller sellers can vary and it is important to get as much information as you can BEFORE you buy! (We strive to keep detailed listings, including photos of items so you know what you are getting!)

3. Look for many well-lit photos of each item! It can be easy to hide a defect or unauthentic branded item. If you are ever unsure, ask the buyer to provide you with more photos and information.

4. Is the item still under warranty?

5. What is the amount of the bargain? Generally you can save up to 20% on open box items. If the listed price is far far lower, you may want to ask for more information. This happens a lot when sellers offer “new” smartphones at super-discounted prices. We have seen listings, especially on eBay for phones for pennies on the dollar. If it seems too good to be true, IT PROBABLY IS!!

6. Look for positive feedback, especially on eBay where the cost to begin listing is very low. (Our store has a 99.6% positive feedback rating for the past 2 years!)

7. Make sure all of the parts are included!

Often times you can get the best deals on those pricey electronics if they are open box but you have to be more careful to check its quality!