does the original box add value to an item?

Would a used refractor telescope be worth less money because of the lack of the box? If the telescope was worth $1000 used in excellent condition, what value would having the original box add to the scope, if any?

Personally, I always liked having the original box with items like filters, eyepieces, diagonals, but didn't really care if it came with larger items like mounts, or OTAs. Sometimes a different box than the original provided better protection for shipping anyways. Opinions appreciated!

Original packaging for a large item can add value. I recently sold a pair of 20 X 100 binos that still had the factory shipping materials. The fellow who purchased them was very excited because the binos were still just like "new". I think the boxes closed the deal. There was value there for me.

It could be perceived that a fellow who cares enough about his stuff to keep the original boxes in good condition, probably cared for the items in the same way. That has value even if it is not reality.

Having the boxes also suggests that the item may have been recently purchased, especially if the boxes are bulky. It also suggests that the seller is the original owner. The buyer has to ask the right questions to get the right information.

Some buyers who turn over a lot of equipment like the boxes for the reasons stated above. Equipment can be easier for them to resell. That has value.

Now I still have the original boxes for my RKE eyepieces I purchased in the early 80's although they are well scuffed from years of handling. I don't think they add any value to the eyepieces.

dan

Lots of interesting comments so far... My two cents:

There is a small pleasure in buying an eyepiece or other small item in the original box but it is not something I consider when deciding whether to buy something.

On the other hand, the original box can make packing and shipping an larger item much easier...

Jon

Hi Mark, I think it depends on the item being sold. If it is collectable then the box is iceing in the cake and can demand a premium. Having the original box can also have the meaning that the item being sold might be in excellent condition because the seller took the time to save the box. Here is another way... Say there are 2 ads for a complete set of UO flat top orthos mint for $800. One ad says no boxes. The other ad says each EP comes in original box. Which ad are you going to respond to first? Now if the ad read 25mm Kellner EP for sale...$25 I don't think it would matter much.

P.S. How is eveything in Montcalm County??

Joe

When listing an item having the orignal box clearly plays into the list price. For example I just sold a 27 mm panoptic for $210 had I had the box I would have listed it for $240. Would the box make it any better of an eyepiece? No, but people put stock into the origianl packaging. If you don't believe me, say in an ad that you are including the box and it didn't show up that way. The eyepiece would be coming back so fast my head would spin.

Thanks,

Gerald