Our refrigerator went out last Saturday due to a power surge. We needed a new refrigerator asap, and didn't have the time or money to shop around much. and I found this Whirlpool French Door refrigerator rated as "open box excellent" at the Best Buy Outlet store in Chesterfield. My parents have a bigger model of the same refrigerator, and they are happy with theirs, so it seemed like a good purchase to make.
Best Buy Refrigerators Open Box
In the "open box excellent" general description it reads: "Looks Brand New", "Includes all parts and Accessories" "Typically contains packaging" (I don't care about the packaging). Then, it states in detail, "Products in excellent condition look brand new - with no physical flaws, scratches, or scuffs - and include all the original parts and accessories".
This was a Sunday afternoon, so first I called the store we bought it from, which is 22 miles away and we would not have made it back to the store while they were still open. The person I spoke with informed me that they were a "scratch and dent store", which is contradictory to what I was under the impression I was purchasing, rated as "open box excellent", sounds more like the description of "open box satisfactory", which was much cheaper.
On Monday, I called customer service. They told me that I could bring the item back, or go to any best buy store and talk to someone in the appliance dept - but this is a refrigerator,. We were thinking we were getting somethingn that we would only have to move the one time. We were both at work all day Monday, and couldn't leave if we wanted to go to Best Buy, anyway.
On Tuesday, I went in to a Best Buy store, and was told by the employee I spoke with that I needed to call customer service, which I had already done- so that is really frustrating. He mentioned that the open box ratings are at the discretion of whomever is at that store, so he told me that my other option is to go to that store and speak to them. Gas prices are outrageuos. My husband already drove 44 miles round trip to get this refrigerator.
I don't think I am being unreasonalble- but I feel like I was led to believe that I was getting an "open box excellent" rated appliance that was actually an "open box satisfactory" rated appliance- and now I am having to do all of this extra work and spending my time running around town. I should be at least refunded the price difference between "excellent" and "satisfactory" on this model.
When you see an item marked as "open-box," it means just that: the packaging has been opened. It's likely been returned for some reason, but not necessarily because it's damaged. An open-box product could simply be something a shopper changed their mind about. The buyer may have returned it because they decided they didn't like the color, or for an equally trivial reason. So you could be picking up a completely new, unused item for a nice discount.
However, that may not always be the case. Most stores allow you to return products for at least a couple of weeks, and as a result, open-box items could have seen some use. They could show a little wear or cosmetic damage from their brief time in the original buyer's hands. This usually isn't a problem, but you should be aware that buying open-box means some items will be used, if only lightly.
Open-box products can also be floor models that the store has used to show the item off to customers. These can be a risky buy, as they've probably seen a lot of use. They may have never left the store, but all-day demoing from random customers adds up, and can make the items more prone to failure. If the open-box item you're looking at is a floor model, you may want to reconsider.
Whatever the reason items have been labeled "open-box," these products usually get an inspection to make sure they're working before they're resold. This could be a thorough check of each product's functionality, or the inspection could be as basic as plugging the item in to make sure it powers on. Either way, open-box products should (usually) work, though it's worth finding out how they've been tested by the retailer. More testing can help ensure a more reliable product.
One other thing to be aware of is the fact that open-box products may be sold "as is," meaning you can't return or exchange them. The manufacturer's warranty may or may not apply, too. So if you buy an open-box product that turns out to be damaged or defective, you have no recourse. Not all retailers do this, but you'll want to find out before you buy.
Retailers may sell refurbished and open-box items in the same section of their store or website, and even use the terms like they're interchangeable. However, there's a big difference between refurbished and open-box products. Refurbished items tend to be damaged goods that have been repaired to return them to like-new condition, while open-box items have simply been returned to the store for some reason, then put back on store shelves with an open-box label.
Even with a particularly low price, there are reasons to avoid buying open-box. A lack of return policy can be a big warning sign, with the best prices only offered on products the retailer won't stand behind. Because open-box items may not have a manufacturer's warranty either, there may not be anything you can do if the product is defective.
The best place to buy open-box products is at a retailer you trust. Amazon, Newegg, and Best Buy all sell open-box items, and products often fall under their standard return policies (though obviously, you'll want to double-check before making a purchase).
eBay is another place to look for open-box items, but you'll want to shop with care. When buying from a small seller on eBay (or anywhere else), you should look for good feedback, so you can be sure you aren't throwing your money at products that just don't work.
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