If something is an electrical product and has been through QC testing even once, then it is the equivalent of "B" stock in most ways that matter. I'm not someone who is overly concerned by product appearance because between kids and pets I tend to hide most stuff out of sight and harm's way, so the cosmetics are not my top concern either.
I PREFER refurbished products because they almost always have been through a full set of product testing at least ONCE because these days it seems like only the best suppliers don't assign the QC testing job to the customer. If I can't do that, I try for a demo unit off the showroom floor, where I have already auditioned it, and few dealers will let customers abuse their display systems. A few hours of use, and let's face it, not much showroom stuff gets more than a few dozen hours of actual in-service time, and I am saving both money and burn-in time. A few fingerprints on a faceplate have never had much impact on sound quality and if you can't tell a blown speaker when you hear it, you probably should not be selecting your own equipment anyway.
A final comment - The dealer, and especially the salesperson, want to make a sale more than anything else. They will all have their opinions, preferences, and motivations, but the bottom line is to make a sale that Stays sold.
If you have talked with them a few times, and met them a time or two before you actually plan to buy, they will probably have sized you up and decided if you will be good for their future well-being. Are you a one-shot wonder or possibly also a source of future sales to you and your friends? Are you an arrogant SOB or actually interested in what they know and have to offer? Respect usually goes both ways and a good reputation is a precious thing. Other current threads attest to that. B-stock? In many ways that could mean it is Better stock at a Better price. Even if that means it is "open box, unused, but I gotta make my numbers for the quarter" type of B-stock, I will always be more interested than if the condition is totally unknown. We will never know if someone on the line had a bad day with a new unit, dropped it and then boxed it anyway to cover their bad. B-stock has usually had a second review, and for me, that makes me think my odds are better.