We all want that café-quality latte at home. But looking at the price tags of high-end espresso machines—like the Breville Barista Express or the De’Longhi La Specialista—can be a shock. Dropping $700+ on a coffee maker is a hard pill to swallow.
But there is a specific market quirk with espresso machines that savvy buyers exploit every day: The “Too Complicated” Return.
Because semi-automatic espresso machines require a bit of skill to dial in, thousands of people buy them, get frustrated when their first shot tastes sour, and return them immediately.
These returns cannot be sold as “New.” They become “Open Box” deals on eBay, often selling for 30-40% off retail. Here is how to find a machine that is virtually new for a fraction of the price.
1. Why “Open Box” is the Sweet Spot
On eBay, you will see a few condition types. “Open Box” is the holy grail for coffee gear.
Used: The machine has been used for months or years. The internal pumps might be worn out. (Risky).
Refurbished: The machine was broken and fixed. (Good, but sometimes still pricey).
Open Box: The customer likely opened it, looked at the manual, got intimidated, and put it back in the box. The steam wand has likely never even touched milk.
2. The Model to Watch: Breville Barista Express (BES870XL)
This is the most popular home espresso machine in the world. Because it is so popular, there is a massive supply of returns.
Retail Price: ~$750
Open Box Target: $450 – $550
What to check: Ensure the listing includes the Portafilter (the handle you put coffee in) and the Tamper. These are expensive to replace if missing.
3. Seller Vetting: “The Electronic Recyclers”
You aren’t just looking for random people selling their old stuff. Look for large electronics recycling companies on eBay.
Big retailers (like Best Buy or Target) often liquidate their returns in bulk to these eBay sellers.1
These sellers test the power, clean the unit, and list it. They aren’t emotional about the price—they just want to move inventory. This is where you find the best deals.
4. The “Descaling” Reality
If you do decide to buy a heavily used machine (instead of Open Box) to save even more money, be prepared to descale.
Espresso machines heat water, which leaves calcium deposits (scale) inside the pipes.
A used machine might have low water pressure.
The Fix: A $10 bottle of descaling solution and a 20-minute cleaning cycle usually brings them back to full power. It’s an easy fix that scares away lazy buyers, leaving more deals for you.
Conclusion: Your Morning Routine, Upgraded
There is no coffee that tastes sweeter than the cup you brewed on a luxury machine you got for half price.
Related Reading: Now that your coffee corner is set up, you might be looking for other high-end appliances. Check out our guide on Why Buying a Used Vitamix is Smarter Than Buying New to see how to get a commercial blender for cheap.