John Y’s Musings from the Middle: Open Box Sale Tables

One more reason to avoid the “Open Box” Sale Table.

Like all American consumers, I like a bargain. The sense that I, with some savvy, cleverness and sound judgement, paid less and got more than others. It’s a sort of game we play with ourselves. Best Buy is well know for these tables but they aren’t alone. Just the seeming leader in tech retail gimmicks, from “sales” to “open box” to “rebates” to “packeges” to “trading up” and “trading in” and so on.

So, when I walked into Best Buy this afternoon I gravitated to the “Open Box” Sale table announcing 20% additional off the open box prices. Pretty darned good deal, if you can find something you really need and want. So I dug through about 20 laptops….and narrowed it to two.

I researched both on my phone. Talked to a sales clerk. Browsed some more.Researched a little more. Talked to a second sales clerk and was back at the table, finally, to make my decision between the two finalist laptops.

Until a I had that feeling in my gut like I just realized I left home fully dressed but forgot to put my pants on.

Although that’s never happened to me. I have had to check a few times, being a little absent minded and easily distracted.

What happened?

One of the two laptops I was about to purchase was a laptop I traded in 4 weeks ago (for about $417) because I missed the 14 day return policy cut off by a couple days and had to “trade in” rather than “return” And the awesome price I was about to pay thinking I was outsmarting my fellow shoppers? $695.

After 30 minutes of sharp bargain hunting, I was on the brink of purchasing a computer today for $300 more than I sold the exact same computer for last month.

So does this mean I bought the other laptop from the Open Box table?

No. I decided given my shopping acumen so far today, I shouldn’t buy anything more expensive than a soft drink. At least while shopping alone. I found a PowerAde drink for $1.50 and don’t remember reselling it to Best Buy last month. And then I slinked out the door to bargain hunt in a less sophisticated environment.