Should I wait until after X-Mas?

[aj327]

Do you guys think the price will go down substantially after christmas?

I'm not sure if I can wait, but I've been known to jump into these types of things before, and I'd like to not do that this time since so much money is hanging in the balance.

Maybe I can save a few hundred by waiting - any opinions?

Also, is there a specific time of the year when the 2003 sets hit the market, or is it dependent on manufacturer...maybe waiting for the next lineup could save me some too.

-aj327

[57U]

Wait until after Christmas. Either hit the "sales" just after Christmas or in January/February - best time to buy because the retailers are dying for business at that point.

[aj327]

Does that include internet retailers?

[woodman]

Whatever you do aj ... do NOT buy an RPTV over the internet. That's not a good idea at all! Also, I highly recommend that you get extended warranty coverage on it.

[aj327]

ooohhh...boy that really puts a kink in things...

The LCD projection tv that I was interested in getting at Best Buy is $3000 before taxes - whereas I found it on the internet for $2500 after shipping and taxes...and I was going to get the extended with the company that I was buying it from (6th ave electronics). They get 5 out of 5 stars on the pricegrabber rating system so I thought it would be safe to do business with them.

Is it the companies that you're worried about or the shipping trauma? If I can't get one over the net, then I will probably have to downgrade my taste a bit. I can't afford MSRP.

Is this a rule for just projection TVs or all TVs?

And do you recommend the extended form a company like BB or CC or do you get it directly from the manufacturer...cause I know that the manufacturer ones can be pretty steep.

And do you think that I would need to get an extended on a direct view...they seem a bit sturdier and tried and true...and likely to have something to go wrong with it in the first year (under the manufacturers warranty), or after the extended has expired.

Let me know and thanks for all your responses woodman.

-aj327

[woodman]

aj:
A HiDef TV set, whether it's an RPTV or a direct-view is a very complex piece of machinery. Although the reliability is generally pretty good, there can be problems - and NOT just in the first year (contrary to popular belief). I wish I had a dime for every TV set I've had to service in it's 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th year of life!

Shipping a big RPTV across the nation (by truck) can cause problems - plus many trucking firms (almost all) will merely drop the set off at the curb in front of your house, leaving it up to YOU to unpack it and get it into your living room. This is not an easy task nor one without possible complications. But the really BIG kicker is - what if the set arrives DOA? Then, you'd have a real headache on your hands. It's possible of course, that such a purchase might work out perfectly well - leading you to think (as some others have) - what's the big deal? Are you willing to take that risk? I wouldn't myself, and I know how to deal with these beasts!

Here's what I'd recommend for you: go to your local Sears store and pick out the set that strikes your fancy - whether it's the one that you thought you wanted or not. Don't be overly impressed with which set on the showroom floor looks like it has the "best picture" - they're all capable of excellent performance when properly setup and adjusted. But IF you buy a set from Sears, and it turns out to be troublesome, Sears will go farther out of their way to make you happy ... more than any other retailer!

Hope this helps you - it's the best advice that I (or anyone) could possibly give you.

[aj327]

Thanks woodman...

I'll have to give that some serious thought. Sears doens't match online store prices do they?

And speaking of calibrating TVs, the Direct view Pansonic that I was considering getting apparently doesn't come well set up as far as color tone goes and needs professional calibration, which apparently is a job that can run you up to two or three hundred dollars.

Is this a problem that you usually only run into with direct view sets or do the projection sets need profesional calibration from time to time as well? Or do you just recommend always getting your TV calibrated once it arrives? This is another expense that I wasn't prepared to pay.

I think I'm really going to have to reevaluate things at this point...just too many expenses.

-aj327

[57U]

aj,

1. Read the post, "what you need to do to your new HDTV" in the FAQ section. This will discuss calibration. No convergence required on LCDs or Plasmas, but it looks as though your headed in another direction that will need calibration. You can do it yourself with a setup DVD like AVIA or S&V.

2. I disagree with Woodman on the extended warranty, unless you also get some sort of additional service with it. Extended warranties make a lot of money for the retailers - something like 50% profit - this means that very few sets fail between years 2-5. Woodman might have fixed a lot of them, but the odds still are that it's not going to fail then. (a 1-2% failure rate still means that out of a 100 Million TVs out there, 1-2 million fail, meaning that there are lots of sets to repair, but statistically few).

Also, if it does fail, it's unlikely to cost you any more than the net-present-value of the warranty cost to fix the set (unless you buy a direct view set, or an expensive set like a plasma, LCD, etc. - in which case, a repair could cost you the equivalent of the initial cost of the set...). That's another reason to stay away from direct view, but you've probably heard that story enough by now...

[woodman]

Originally posted by aj327
[B]Thanks woodman...

I'll have to give that some serious thought. Sears doens't match online store prices do they?

Yes, they will price-match any legit price. Speaking of which, I just came across some info that Wal-Mart has started selling the Panasonic 53WX42 for $1785 ! I don't know if Sears carries that particular model or not, but you might see if they'll match THAT one (or maybe something "comparable".


And speaking of calibrating TVs, the Direct view Pansonic that I was considering getting apparently doesn't come well set up as far as color tone goes and needs professional calibration, which apparently is a job that can run you up to two or three hundred dollars.

Is this a problem that you usually only run into with direct view sets or do the projection sets need profesional calibration from time to time as well? Or do you just recommend always getting your TV calibrated once it arrives? This is another expense that I wasn't prepared to pay.

Professional calibration is for the well-heeled and the extremely finicky, IMO. Someone to whom a $300-500 expenditure is no big deal. You should be able to do a credible job yourself with the aid of a "setup disc" such as Avia.

The brand that I recommend the most highly is Toshiba, and Sears does carry them (and will price-match). They have probably the sets that are the least in need of professional calibration, and they also have arguably the best "stretch modes" in the business.

This is about all I have for you ... the rest is up to you. Let me know how it all works out, will ya?

[aj327]

Woodman,

thanks for all your advice - it's helped a lot. I'll let you know what I decide to do...and I'm amazed that Sears will price match against internet prices. That's insane...and fantastic!

-aj327

[57U]

Remember - it might be a match on a "delivered" price. Internet stores may charge $300 to deliver....

[zarlor]

And don't just limit yourself to Sears if Sears doesn't carry a set you are looking for (and presuming Sears doesn't have a set you'd rather have, anyway). This is not a knock on Sears as I also reccomend them if they have the set you want.) If you walk into almost any A/V specialty store, even with a printed out internet ad price, many of them will at least try to provide a discount, even if they won't match. I have even heard that some Circuit City stores will internet price match. The nice thing about that, of course, is that you always have a store to walk right back into and speak to someone face-to-face about any problems you have. That can be a big help.

[syang]

I visited Sears store last weekend and was told that Sears changed the Price match policy. They match only the local retail's online price, not ANY internet price.

sy

[Leth]

Yes, Sears has changed the price match Policy. We no longer match any internet price. We only match internet prices from an internet store that has a local retail store and has the TV available for delivery. But many times the prices you find on the internet are well attainable given the right sale at Sears. Sometimes speaking to the manager well help you get a discount even if it isn't the lowest price you've seen on the web. Remember that most internet retailers after shipping will be just a little cheaper than a sale at Sears and that Sears will make sure you are satisfied with your Set and be the easiest place to rectify any problems should they arise. I may be biased as I work for Sears, but paying a little bit more getting it from Sears would offer me more piece of mind should any hitches arise. Also Sears has some of the best credit plans if you plan on financing a set.

[Wooger]

...and of course, the most RELAXED return policy on the planet. :)

Seriously... I DON'T work at Sears and it is THE place for TVs (and most anything else for that matter).

[Leth]

Oh yes and that too Wooger :)

[mattmc]

Best Buy is offering 24 months same as cash until this Saturday evenng... I found that too good to pass up. But, I have heard they do this on a regular basis. They dropped the price on a KP51WS500 by $150... Basically negated sales tax. Good enough for me!

[kdn]

The package fr Bestbuy varies weekly and also depends on where you live.
I bought my Mits 65" fr Bestbuy few weeks ago with 24 months no interest financing, $100 gift certificate, free leather chair + ottoman, free delivery and setup. The following week the price dropped and I got additional refund of $150. It's a good deal.
To see weekly ad, you can go to www.bestbuy.com and click on Browse Weekly Ad.