Home Theater Forum  ›  Forums  ›  Home Theater Hardware  ›  Display Devices (TVs/Projectors)  ›  Where is the most ideal place to purchase a TV?
Forum Nav More Forums | All New Posts | New Thread

Where is the most ideal place to purchase a TV?

#1
Rating: 0
3/13/08 at 7:11pm
  • Joined: March 2008
  • Location: FL
  • Post Count: 8
I am considering the purchase of a new Television. I see the online stores selling TVs for a very competetive price (i.e. Best Buy online, Amazon.com), where the price is lower, the shipping is free and there may or may not be associated sales tax. I see stores in the smaller 'boutique' stores - selling 'service' and competitive prices and lower installation costs. Then there are the large retailers, like Best Buy and Circuit City.

Financing is not an issue since I will pay with my American Express (I pay it off monthly and I get another year on the warranty through Buyer's Assurance program).

Where is the most ideal place to purchase a TV?

Is there really a pitfall from ordering online? If there is a problem with the TV after it is opened, are you in for a major inconvenience? Who eats the cost in shipping for a defective item? I see "White glove" deliivery - is that a scam?
Export to Wiki
#2
Rating: 0
3/14/08 at 6:04am
  • Joined: January 2001
  • Location: Colorado
  • Post Count: 297

Re: Where is the most ideal place to purchase a TV?

If you can afford the luxury of dealing with a local specialty retailer, that's the best solution. You will get better service and advice over time.
Export to Wiki
#3
Rating: 0
3/14/08 at 11:04am
  • Joined: March 1999
  • Post Count: 1,288

Re: Where is the most ideal place to purchase a TV?

I have bought 3 TVs from Onecall.com, 2 RPTVs, 53" and 65", and a 42" plasma from them. Curbside delivery on 2 while whiteglove on the 65". The prices are very much lower than B&M stores even with delivery factored in. Only problem I saw with ordering online was the waiting. Unlike whne u buy at BestBuy, u can take it home right away. Online, u have to wait for it to come in.
Check the delivery box, anything busted on it, u can just refuse it. They now have this fancy device on the box outside. It changes color or something when the box have been jarred too much or received some unwanted trauma. Makes it easy to see and it also makes the trucking guys take more care of it.
Export to Wiki
#4
Rating: 0
3/17/08 at 11:01am
  • Joined: August 2000
  • Location: SF Bay Area
  • Post Count: 856

Re: Where is the most ideal place to purchase a TV?

On-line is the way to go, IF you already know what you want. If you need to check each set out yourself and play with them in a showroom, buy from a local B&M specialty dealer. But don't waste the local dealers' time by doing your research in their stores and then buying the same thing on-line. That's not fair the your local retailers.
Dan

"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."
--Benjamin Franklin
Export to Wiki
#5
Rating: 0
3/17/08 at 5:02pm
  • Joined: June 1997
  • Post Count: 10,882

Re: Where is the most ideal place to purchase a TV?

Amazon is a great place to order through as they often have their own supply and then they deal with others like One Call, Vann's, etc. I would recommend some sort of extended warranty on top of the one you get with the set and your AMX.

Follow us on Facebook. | Follow us on Twitter | Check out our podcasts on You Tube

Export to Wiki
#6
Rating: 0
3/31/08 at 8:53am
  • Joined: March 2008
  • Location: FL
  • Post Count: 8

Re: Where is the most ideal place to purchase a TV?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Parker Clack
Amazon is a great place to order through as they often have their own supply and then they deal with others like One Call, Vann's, etc. I would recommend some sort of extended warranty on top of the one you get with the set and your AMX.

I went with Circuit City Online for the return policy. They had 10%off and a 10% off online coupon. The price was equivalent to Onecall but I don't know if they charge sales tax which would have saved a little more money (enough to buy 4 Bluray movies, I suppose).

I did look into onecall who has a good reputation through the Better Business bureau and they are a member.

Amazon would have take 1 - 2 months. Amazon Marketplace etailers have a no return policy on TVs >32".
Export to Wiki
#7
Rating: 0
4/4/08 at 3:34pm
  • Joined: November 2002
  • Post Count: 1,847

Re: Where is the most ideal place to purchase a TV?

I bought from Sears and I purchased the 5yr warranty. Convenient as online is - there is NOTHING like brick and mortar for service. Sears will come to my house and pick up or fix my tv. They will leave a loaner if I need.

Sure, it cost me a little extra up front, but I have already reaped the benefit when the bulb burned out. Sears was right there with a new one, and the even sent a spare. had I bought it online I would have been stuck with a 3rd party warranty, shipping costs on a heavy unit and other nonsense.

Brick and mortar - totally.

Martin Luther observed that the human race is like a drunkard who falls off his horse on the left and makes up for it by falling off the next time on the right.

Export to Wiki
Forum Nav More Forums | All New Posts | New Thread