Newbee dumb question, What exactly is B stock

UnderwoodWally once gave me an excellent explanation of B-Stock loudspeakers. He may have a website that you can dig up with a search engine. In the case of the Soliloquy loudspeakers he described as B-Stock, they were physically perfect. The veneers of the 2 speakers did not have exactly matching grain patterns as an A-stock pair would. This may be a specific case, but it shows that details on the described B-Stock item are important.

A lot of times b stock has been repaired for some reason. I have tried many different pieces of electronics over the years that were b stock and have had a lot of bad luck with the b stock pieces breaking down. Another downfall is that if it is B stock usually they only give you a 30 day warrenty and if it breaks down you are stuck with it.

Really can mean almost anything. As well as what is posted above; some B stock is actually A stock that they have lower the warranty period, so they can then lower the price, in order to clear out overstocks. Not necessarily 30 days. I've seen many B stock items where the A stock's 3 year warranty is lowered to 1 year. Still a lot of time.

Just keep in mind that if it is B stock that was refurbished; it was A stock before it was sent back. In my experience, the few things I have owned that broke, were just as likely A stock than B. It seem sometimes that when A stock breaks, we don't react the same as when B stock breaks.

Be careful with "B" stock. I have got some really good deals but they are prone to breakdowns!! I won't even go into problems with a pair of Sony DAT's (forget about ANY help from Sony...too damn big...even getting the correct department/phone number was a one hour tooth-pulling procedure!) Warrantees are usually 30-90 days only. A Pioneer Elite "B" stock laser disc player died one day after purchase. However the warrantee replacement "B" stock unit has worked flawlessly for over 5 years! Speakers are your best bet! I saved almost 50% on speakers because the mounting holes for the grill cover on one was cut 1/16" off center (almost unnoticeable)!!! Good luck, and Happy Tunes!

I suppose it all really depends on the product you are
buying. In some cases - such as racks or speakers - it
may mean that certain parts don't have an exact color and/or
finish match. With electronics it can be a dealer demo
unit, a unit that had some type of problem (either mechanical and/or electrical) and was returned to the
manufacturer for repair and/or refurbishing, or possibly
a discontinued model that the manufacturer wants to unload
at a discount.
It should be clearly noted that most electronic items
tend to fail within the first 90 days of use - if they fail
at all. If an electronic unit has been repaired and then
sent out for sale as a "B" stock unit - it may often have
a new item warantee - and should function as new.
I personally DO NOT consider any item being sold as a
"scratch & dent" item - especially consumer electronics -
as a "B" stock units. Most of this stuff has been either
been damaged in shipping or by the dummy employees of an
electronics store. Save your cash and time - and avoid this
junk at all costs. In most cases - even if the item functions well - it's appearance will be a constant sore
point and make future re-sale a problem.