RyanK

In shopping around for Rear projection HDTVs, I’m finding that there are online sources that sell these things for FAR cheaper than the local stores I have been visiting. (Best Buy, Circuit City, Sears.)

Just how practical is cross-country delivery from online sources? I can’t say I’ve ever seen the postman or the FedEx guy delivering things as large as projection televisions. Nor can I imagine those same guys helping me get such a large parcel up my front steps and into my living room.

Is there a lot more trouble involved in such delivery – as compared to having a local store do it? Or am I just being paranoid?

57U

There should be no more "trouble" with an online delivery - usually two guys bring the set. The only issue may be service, which you may be able to get easier from a brick & morter store.

A smaller B&M store may also assist with setup, etc.

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57U - Toronto, Rogers Cable, SA8300HD, 500GB HDD & Hitachi 61UWX10B HDTV, Yamaha RX-V1 A/V Receiver, Martin Logan Speakers. Photos --> 57U's HT

SA8300HD, 250GB HDD & KDL40W3000 (Upstairs)

Please don't PM me with questions that can (and should) be asked in the forum, thanks. Personal Question? Fire away.

RyanK

That’s good to know. However, I don’t understand how that would be possible. Let’s take “onecall.com” for example – I think they’re on the other side of the continent from me. Do they have local warehouses? Or perhaps a network of local dealers that they pass the sale along to? Or are online companies such as OneCall really just another front for a common B & M chain?

Or do two guys in a truck drive my projection television across the country and to my front door?

57U

Don't know how it works, you have to ask the on-line store. There is not a lot of difference between taking a TV from where it's assembled/made, driving it to a local warehouse and then delivering it from that warehouse, to doing it all in one step, except a couple of days time.

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57U - Toronto, Rogers Cable, SA8300HD, 500GB HDD & Hitachi 61UWX10B HDTV, Yamaha RX-V1 A/V Receiver, Martin Logan Speakers. Photos --> 57U's HT

SA8300HD, 250GB HDD & KDL40W3000 (Upstairs)

Please don't PM me with questions that can (and should) be asked in the forum, thanks. Personal Question? Fire away.

kevinw

If you bought from an online more than likely it will be delivered by a local delivery service. Generally the TV will be shipped from the manufacturer to to a breakbulk. A breakbulk is local warehouse that a truck load is seperated for delivery to your home by a couple of guys.
Just like the big stores have. CC,BB etc have the products shipped truck load to there own warehouse vs a Roadway or other LTL or distribution center.

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Don Davison

I ordered mine online and it worked out great. However if you want to return it probably not as easy since you got to ship it out of state instead of take it down to the local store. I found a better selection of newer models online, alot of the tvs in stores are older models.

flyonthewall

I bought my tv via amazon. I live in MA and it came from a NJ warehouse. I think it was air freight to MA and then delivered by local company. No problems. And it was much cheaper than brick & mortars store - not to mention no tax. I wouldn't hesitate to do it again.

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humdinger70

Do these delivery people just bring the TV to the house - leaving you to move it to the correct position and setting it up?

...or, do they handle the whole thing - delivery, installation, hook-up?

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kevinw

No it was shipped by truck.. Air freight is to exspensive and the TV to bulky..
I like said earlier, rarely does an online vendor have a warehouse. They dropship from the manufacturer to your home. Generaly in as a LTL shipment.

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kevinw

All depends.. basic is to your door. Companies that offer "WhiteGlove" service bring it on in and put it in its place. I do not think any actually plug in your equipmnet to the TV.

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flyonthewall

It probably varies, but in the case of amazon they will bring it in and put it wherever you want. They are supposed to plug it in and make sure it works before you sign off on receipt. Not very practical as at that point you probably do not have your cable or sat or whatever all there just waiting to connect. But I guess you can at least make sure it powers up. Maybe connect directly to antenna or cable to check basic stuff.

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Toshiba 46HM84, Motorola 3416 STB, Pioneer VSX-1016TXV-k AVR, Toshiba SD-V592 DVD/VCR combo, CS Ensemble II, JBL EC35 & E20, URC MX-900 Remote, and lots of cables (none of them Monster).

videobruce

Just be sure, VERY sure there is a repair station in your area if you buy mail-order! Extended warrenty or not, it doesn't do any good if no one services the set in your area!

bigbw

I bought on line from crutchfield and the price included delivery inside my house, unpacking and setup on my stand. Couple of suggestions though.. Check the return policy.. some places like onecall will not accept returns unless the set is defective out of the box and I would definitly keep the box and packing material for a while.. If the online store does accept returns, you will need it if you decide to return the set.. Crutchfield does accept returns, but at your cost..

rankin

Beware, I'm dealing w/an issue now w/plasmawholesale in that I received a 61" dlp tv from them that had internal damange and is not covered by warrenty. Since they are not local, they are not inclinded to handle the situation at all. I wish I had paid the extra and bought locally.