Fear the B-stock?

[moneycat12]

I see a lot of Firestudio's online for very affordable prices. The only problem is that they are "b-stock". From what I understand B-stock just means open boxed right? B-stock isn't like the difference between Gibson and Epiphone right?

[cakewalkgg]

i got a b-stock cabinet from music123.com, and it was in perfect condition. if I remember right their definition was only minor cosmetic blemishes if any.

[String7th]

Fear it.

When it comes to equipment with many parts in the box, it's just not worth the risk. If the Firestudio is ok, they will mark it down a hundred bucks maybe. But what they don't tell you is that the free Cubase disk is missing or already been registered to someone else, leaving it useless. Or the 2 Digipak disks and the 15 free programs and plug ins are gone. The power supply, if missing or damaged is an easy $100 with shipping from Presonus.

I bought my Firestudio from Guitar Center full price and the digipak demos were missing. I went back and they replaced it, with no questions asked, from another box that will probably be sold as B-stock.

B-stock can probably be trusted with dynamic mics because mic clips are the only other thing in the box, and are cheap to replace. I'd probably buy b-stock cables and accessories.

[String7th]

Originally Posted by cakewalkgg

i got a b-stock cabinet from music123.com, and it was in perfect condition. if I remember right their definition was only minor cosmetic blemishes if any.

Good example, there's 1 item in this box and most stores, if has cosmetic damage, would sell it as a "scratch and dent" item, not b-stock.

[garageband]

Lotsa times "B stock" means factory refurbs.
I wouldn't fear it at all. If you are buying from a major e-tailer and something doesn't add up when you open the box, you get on the phone and make them fix it. Period.

[garww]

B-stock is a factory rating and they often include refurbs - though it should be labeled as a refurb - it was owned by someone else. I think some Merchants may use that label for returns and demo.

For the most part, I don't think bad about it.

[garageband]

Worth noting is this merch still usually has the full factory warranty.

[garww]

Quality control is a thing that can be changed daily. In tuff marketing times, even well meaning companies have to make those hard decisions. If something is just out of spec, who's gonna know ? If there is a flaw, the full warranty might become a game of attrition.

If you are going for the 30-50 pct off regular discount price, you shouldn't "expect" a whole lot. But, that's a game we play. There are plenty of those demos and returns that are as new. B-stock on a cab might mean the cones are not centered to spec.