I wouldn’t use the pictures on a box as an indication as to its quality either way, every telescope manufacturer is out there to promote their product. They all use fancy photos that you’ll never see through any telescope.
In saying all this, you made the right decision. Those sub $100 telescopes aren’t great mostly because they’re very flimsy. My Aunty had one and wanted me to help her use it, I felt like just burning it as it was so horrible to deal with!
So, getting a small dob is the best choice. Keep away from cheap equatorial mounts and cheap refractors