Not every worthwhile discount comes from a code or a scheduled sale. Open-box, refurbished, and floor model items are frequently sold at meaningfully reduced prices simply because of their condition or history, offering a separate path to savings that does not depend on timing a sale at all.
These categories are often grouped together loosely, but they describe fairly different situations and carry different levels of risk.
The discount attached to each category roughly reflects the uncertainty involved, with refurbished items generally commanding a smaller discount than open-box items because of the added testing and warranty coverage.
Because condition and terms vary so much within each category, a few direct questions make the difference between a genuine bargain and a risky purchase. Confirming whether a warranty is included, and for how long, is the most important one, since a heavily discounted item with no warranty carries more risk if something goes wrong shortly after purchase. Asking why the item is being sold at a discount, whether it was returned for a functional reason or simply because a customer changed their mind, is also reasonable and can reveal whether the discount reflects a real defect risk.
These discounts tend to be most worthwhile on higher-cost electronics and appliances, where the savings are large in absolute terms and manufacturer refurbishment programs are common and well established. They are less useful for inexpensive items, where the discount may not be large enough to offset the reduced certainty about condition.
Buying open-box, refurbished, or floor model items requires a bit more diligence than buying new, but for shoppers willing to ask a few questions first, they represent a source of savings that exists independently of any sale calendar or discount code.