If you‘re a bargain hunter, you‘ve probably browsed the open box deals at Best Buy and wondered if the savings are too good to be true. On one hand, you can snag deep discounts – often in the 20-30% range – on items that are basically as good as new. On the other hand, you may worry about ending up with a dud that breaks down the moment the store warranty expires.
As a picky shopper and retail expert, I‘ve learned that Best Buy‘s open box program can be a gold mine for deals, as long as you understand what you‘re getting into. With a little know-how about the warranty options, you can maximize your savings and minimize your risk. In this guide, I‘ll share everything you need to know to become a savvy open box shopper at Best Buy.
What Does Open Box Mean at Best Buy?
An open box item at Best Buy is a product that was purchased and returned with little or no use, then put back on the shelf at a discount. According to a Best Buy employee on Reddit, most open box items are returns that came back "unopened and still factory sealed." Others may be missing some accessories or have minor cosmetic damage.
Best Buy thoroughly inspects each open box item to ensure it still works like new before repackaging it for resale. Items that don‘t meet strict quality standards – about 10-15% of returns – never make it to the open box shelf.
Open Box Discounts and Conditions
The amount you save on an open box item depends on its condition, which Best Buy grades as either Excellent, Satisfactory, or Fair. Here‘s a breakdown of each open box condition with typical discounts:
| Condition | Description | Typical Discount |
|---|---|---|
| Excellent | Looks brand new, all accessories included | 10-20% |
| Satisfactory | Minor cosmetic damage, may be missing accessories | 15-25% |
| Fair | Noticeable wear, missing accessories, non-original packaging | 20-40% |
In my experience, the sweet spot is usually items in Excellent condition. The discounts are substantial – a $500 laptop is now $400 – and you‘re essentially getting a new product. Only consider Satisfactory or Fair items if you‘re willing to accept some flaws in exchange for a steeper discount.
It‘s also worth noting that availability of open box deals varies widely. Stores in major metropolitan areas tend to have a larger open box selection across categories, while smaller stores may only have a handful of items. Be sure to check Best Buy‘s website and your local store frequently to catch new open box deals, which often sell out quickly.
Types of Best Buy Open Box Warranties
All right, let‘s get to the nitty-gritty of Best Buy‘s open box warranty options. There are three main types of coverage to be aware of:
1. Manufacturer‘s Warranty
Most open box items still come with the original manufacturer‘s warranty, just like if you bought it brand new. The standard coverage is 1 year for parts and labor on defects in materials or workmanship.
However, there are a few caveats to keep in mind:
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Some manufacturers won‘t honor open box warranties. They require the original purchaser to register the product or will only service items sold and shipped by an authorized dealer. Always check the specific warranty terms before buying open box, especially for high-end brands.
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The warranty clock usually starts ticking from your purchase date, not when the item was first sold. So if you buy an open box laptop that originally went on sale 6 months ago, you‘ll effectively have 6 months less warranty coverage. Ask a Best Buy associate to confirm the "born on" date before purchasing if you‘re unsure.
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Refurbished items may have a shorter warranty or none at all. Although Best Buy clearly labels refurbished products separately from open box ones, sometimes the lines get blurred. When in doubt, assume a refurb only has a 90-day Best Buy warranty unless the manufacturer‘s warranty is explicitly confirmed.
The bottom line? In most cases, you‘ll be protected by the standard manufacturer‘s warranty when buying Best Buy open box. Just be diligent about checking the specific terms for your item and retain your receipt and any warranty cards for proof of purchase.
2. Best Buy‘s Return & Exchange Promise
Best Buy offers a blanket Return & Exchange Promise on open box items to give you extra peace of mind. As long as you have the receipt, you can return or exchange any open box purchase within 14 days, no questions asked. This is a great option if you discover any defects or just have buyer‘s remorse.
Keep in mind that the 14 day window is firm, so be sure to thoroughly test your item right away. Some sneaky issues like battery drain or dead pixels may not be immediately apparent until you‘ve used the product for a few days.
Also note that you‘ll need to return the item with its original accessories and packaging to get a full refund. Best Buy may give you a partial refund if you‘re missing any components, but don‘t count on it.
3. Geek Squad Protection
If you want longer term coverage than the basic manufacturer‘s warranty, you can purchase a Geek Squad Protection (GSP) plan. GSP is essentially an extended warranty through Best Buy that gives you an extra layer of protection for 2-4 years, depending on the product category.
Some key benefits of GSP:
- Covers accidental damage like drops and spills
- Extends coverage for defects and power surge damage beyond the manufacturer‘s warranty
- Provides 24/7 tech support and repairs/replacements through Best Buy‘s Geek Squad
- Allows unlimited claims (subject to service fees)
GSP plans aren‘t cheap – expect to pay 10-20% of the item‘s purchase price for 2 years of coverage. But if you‘re accident-prone or just want total peace of mind, it can be a worthwhile investment, especially on a big ticket item like a TV or gaming console.
Just be aware that you can only add GSP on the day you buy the open box item, not later on. There‘s also a service fee of $29-99 per claim for most repairs and replacements.
All in all, GSP is a nice option to have for longer warranty coverage, but carefully weigh the costs vs. your risk tolerance before buying it.
Is an Open Box Warranty from Best Buy Enough?
Now that we‘ve laid out the warranty options, the million dollar question is – are they good enough to make open box purchases a smart choice? As a picky shopper myself, my short answer is yes, with a few caveats.
Let me explain my rationale. First, for items in Excellent condition, you‘re getting what is essentially a brand new product at a solid discount. The manufacturer‘s warranty applies just like normal, so there‘s very little downside in terms of reliability or long-term support. I‘ve personally saved hundreds of dollars over the years on barely used open box laptops, cameras, and headphones with zero issues.
The 14-day return window also provides a crucial safeguard for any initial defects or buyers remorse. In my experience, most issues with electronics pop up within the first week of use. Having the ability to easily return an open box clunker is a major advantage over buying used from a private party seller.
That said, I‘m more cautious about buying open box for big ticket items or brands with notoriously bad customer support (cough Asus cough). In those cases, I lean towards either buying new or springing for the Geek Squad Protection for a longer safety net. A 40% open box discount doesn‘t do you much good if you‘re stuck with a $1500 paperweight when the 1-year warranty is up.
I also steer clear of most open box items in Fair condition, unless it‘s a very cheap product or I know I can easily repair/replace any damaged parts. Call me a snob, but I don‘t want to deal with any surprises when I‘m already compromising on an open box purchase.
Ultimately, every shopper has to assess their own risk tolerance. If you‘re on a tight budget, aren‘t prone to accidents, and are comfortable troubleshooting minor issues yourself, then Best Buy‘s open box warranty is probably more than sufficient for most purchases. If you‘re a stickler for perfection, need mission critical reliability, or just want long-term protection, you may be happier buying new or investing in an extended warranty.
Tips for Maximizing Your Open Box Warranty
If you‘ve decided to take the plunge on an open box purchase, follow these tips to make sure you‘re getting the most out of your warranty coverage:
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Inspect the item thoroughly in-store before purchasing. Open the box, look for any damage, and confirm all accessories are present. Don‘t be shy about asking to test the item as well.
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Check the manufacturer‘s warranty terms. Before handing over your credit card, verify that the warranty hasn‘t already expired and that there aren‘t any gotchas like non-transferable coverage. The Best Buy associate should be able to provide the item‘s born on date and look up the warranty status.
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Keep all your documentation. Hang on to the receipt, UPC code, and any warranty cards or registration info. Snap photos of everything and back it up to the cloud so you‘re never left in a lurch.
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Test, test, test! As soon as you get your open box baby home, put it through its paces. Use every feature, port, and accessory to suss out any potential issues. The last thing you want is to discover a defect after the return window has closed.
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Consider Geek Squad Protection for big ticket items. For pricey products over $500, it‘s often worth springing for the GSP plan. The price of repairs can quickly exceed the upfront warranty cost, and Best Buy is pretty good about honoring their protection agreements based on my research. Just be sure to factor in the cost of the plan and any service fees to the total cost of ownership.
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Know how and when to file a claim. If you do need to use your warranty, first determine if it‘s the manufacturer‘s or a GSP plan. Contact the appropriate party right away with your proof of purchase and a detailed description of the issue. Be prepared to jump through a few hoops in terms of troubleshooting and providing documentation.
By being proactive and informed about your warranty options, you can reap the rewards of sweet open box savings with minimal risk. It just takes a bit of due diligence and smart shopping to ensure you‘re protected.
The Bottom Line
As someone who‘s always looking to stretch my budget without sacrificing quality, I‘m a big fan of Best Buy‘s open box program. By understanding the warranty options and being a savvy shopper, you can score deals that are just as good (if not better) than buying brand new.
Yes, there‘s always going to be some inherent risk in purchasing an item with a previous life. But between the manufacturer‘s warranty, Best Buy‘s generous return policy, and the option to add Geek Squad Protection, you‘re far from flying without a safety net.
At the end of the day, it comes down to your personal preferences and risk tolerance. If you‘re willing to roll the dice a bit – and be diligent about inspecting items and maintaining your proof of purchase – then embrace those open box deals with confidence. Your wallet will thank you.
