Buy PJ online or at B&M (1 Viewer)

[winniw]

I will be making my first projector purchase in a couple of weeks... Epson 8350. Should I buy it online or at a B&M (Ultimate Electronics)?


Sales tax would be around $110 but I worry about damage in transit with one of these delivery companies. What do you think? Are there any other caveats that I need to think about?


Thanks,

Nick

 

[GeorgeAB]

Ultimate Electronics has filed for bankruptcy and will likely not be around to support the sale much longer.

 

[Walter Kittel]

I've had great success with projector purchases from Projector People. I highly recommend them and since my last purchase they have become a sponsor for the HTF, which makes them an even better choice, IMHO. Their sales staff has always been friendly and it was a pleasure to do business with this vendor. When I'm ready for an upgrade/replacement in the future, they will be getting my next order.


My last purchase from them was an Epson projector and I thought the packaging was fine for shipment ( I live in the U.S.)


- Walter.

 

[Jim Mcc]

I also highly recommend Projector People, great company. I bought my last 2 projectors from them.

 

[Leo Kerr]

likewise, I've had excellent support from my two projectors and screen from Visual Apex.


Leo

 

[Jim Mcc]

Wherever you buy it, make sure they are an authorized Epson dealer.

Originally Posted by winniw

I will be making my first projector purchase in a couple of weeks... Epson 8350. Should I buy it online or at a B&M (Ultimate Electronics)?


Sales tax would be around $110 but I worry about damage in transit with one of these delivery companies. What do you think? Are there any other caveats that I need to think about?


Thanks,

Nick

 

[winniw]

Originally Posted by GeorgeAB

Ultimate Electronics has filed for bankruptcy and will likely not be around to support the sale much longer.


How true! I just went to Ultimate and they had "Store Closing" signs up. They had the 8350 marked down from $1299 to $1179... not much.


Nick

 

[Gregg Loewen]

but I worry about damage in transit

How do you think it got to the B and M store to begin with ?

 

[winniw]

Some how, I think that UPS and Fed Ex are quite cavalier in their handling of packages, with complete disregard of what is in them. One reason is that they are under such time pressure. I'm sure that regular transit companies are not as careful as I would like but it seems that most everything that I buy from a store is in a fairly pristine box. OTOH, all too frequently, with the delivery companies, I see gaping holes, deep slashes, severly crushed corners and such. When you go to one of their facilities they actually have a sign that says your package should be packed well enough that it could be dropped from shoulder height without damage.

I think another reason for the difference is that projectors or receivers are most likely shipped on a pallet, lifted with a forklift, and sat down on a truck, which keeps them stable and more protected. With the delivery companies, everything is handled as a single box, thrown around, stacked, dropped, etc.


Nick

 

[Jim Mcc]

It sounds like your mind is made up. Go buy from your local store, and let us know how it goes.

 

[winniw]

Actually, no, my mind is not made up. I was responding to Gregg when he asked me how I thought the equipment got to a B&M store to begin with. I'm just getting opinions, that's all.


Nick

 

[Jim Mcc]

The problem with most B&M stores is the limited projector selection, and you'll usually get a better price online.