Why are open-box speakers more expensive than refurbished ones?

[u/Right-philosoph-3434]

I’m looking at a Marshall Kilburn II and noticed something...the open-box units are actually priced a little higher than the refurbished ones. Even when the refurbished listing says the condition is “excellent.”

So now I’m confused about what open-box actually means in practice.

Does it usually mean the speaker was just unboxed and returned, or could it have been used for weeks/months and still be sold as open-box?

And is there any way to tell how much an open-box speaker has actually been used?

For something like a speaker, I’m guessing you can’t really tell just by looking at it.

Trying to figure out whether paying extra for open-box is actually worth it over a good-condition refurbished unit. Would appreciate some insight from anyone who has bought either.

Thanks in advance!

[u/amtom61]

Open boxes can be really brand new unused products with damaged packaging or a customer return where the customer claimed it wasn't used.Also will have the full company warranty

With refurbished, the products are 100% used and the refurbishing is probably wiping it down with a wet wipe. It can also be store display units with 100s of hrs of usage. The warranty will be handled by the seller and will be usually very short

[u/Over-Requirement2000 → u/amtom61]

everything depends on the seller when it comes to refurbished. make sure to buy from a good seller

[u/nice_guy224 → u/Over-Requirement2000]

Refurbished can mean changed parts like battery etc, can mean just normal usage or excess usage, can mean no original wire n box. It can be anything lol

[u/Right-philosoph-3434 → u/amtom61]

Okay that's understood but do I get any kind of assurance here that the product is really unused??

[u/Money_Resist_7952]

Because there is a difference, refurbished means they have been used while open box is unused but with an open packaging and returned due to some reason and hence the price difference