ZT60 Open Box: Did I make the right decision?

[McCrutchy]

Hi all,

So, with the announcement that Panasonic will no longer be producing plasmas, I have been hankering after a 65" ZT60. I have been monitoring the prices, and today I saw that Best Buy is selling them for $3,199.98. On a lark, I decided to see if any of my local stores had them in stock. One store did, I called them, and the CSR said that they had an open box item and an item in "for service", but I decided to go over and double check. I also had a 10% off BB MasterCard coupon I was hoping to use.

It turned out that they only had one item in the store--the open box one. I did not get to see it (I actually didn't ask to see it, either), so I opted to order a new one, but unfortunately, I was blocked from using the 10% off coupon, because the TV was already on sale, and the coupon was only good for 10% off list price (which is lame, because most things in Best Buy are always on sale...but I digress).

I inquired about the open box item, hoping to get something off of that. I was told that it did not have the manuals or glasses, but did have the remotes and cables. After some prodding, they were also willing to give me 10% off the $3,199.98 price, and they threw in two pairs of Panasonic TY-ER3D4MU 3D glasses to compensate for the ones missing from the unit.

Now, I have a disability, and it would be impossible for me to bring this bad boy home myself and set it up, so I inquired about delivery, and was told it could be delivered for free. Standard delivery at Best Buy apparently includes them bringing it into the home, setting it down, and ensuring it works, so this also takes a huge load off of me and my wallet. Finally, because they took everything off the price of the TV (so I "paid" for the glasses), I was able to get a cheaper Geek Squad 2 year protection plan, which ended up costing $349.99 instead of $419.99.

Altogether it was:

$2,719.12 for the TV with open box and glasses discounts
$159.98 for the glasses
$349.99 for the Geek Squad protection plan

with tax it came to $3,450.03. I even bought it across the border in a state where the sales tax is 2% lower, and used my Best Buy MasterCard to get 24-month no interest financing.

To put that in perspective, A new TV ($3,199.98) with the service plan ($419.99), delivery ($69.99) and tax ($258.30) is $3,948.26 on BestBuy.com right now.

Now, obviously the big fear, because I didn't see the model, is that there is something cosmetically wrong with it. But I would hope that any flaws will be apparent enough that I can have the delivery people take it back. I also ended up with two pairs of the superior, rechargeable glasses, as opposed to the battery-operated ones that come with the TV, and I saved $70 on the Geek Squad protection, and I should hopefully still have the manufacturers warranty to boot.

Still, I am feeling concerned. Is there a chance that Panasonic will disavow the warranty? Did I make the right decision, or should I have just shelled out for a completely new unit?

Any opinions are appreciated. I would prefer not to have to finance the extra, almost $500, and give back the better glasses I was given, but if the consensus is that it is safer in the long run not to buy open box, I will defer to the community.

[Halcro 1]

So you did all this bought a model that need service.. To save 500.00. Then you openly say that you have buyers remorse.... You answered your own question... Sorry I'm to the point... But why? The geek squad warranty is third party, no need to worry about that...

[McCrutchy]

Originally Posted by Halcro 1

So you did all this bought a model that need service.. To save 500.00. Then you openly say that you have buyers remorse.... You answered your own question... Sorry I'm to the point... But why? The geek squad warranty is third party, no need to worry about that...

1. The TV does not need service. As I understand, it is in perfect condition. And if it is not, my plan is to have the delivery people box it back up and take it back.

2. I certainly do not have buyer's remorse right now. I'm merely concerned about whether, in the long run, an open box item is a good idea, as this was not something I have ever done before.

[Wingman1977]

When it comes to open box, it's buyer beware.

[dobyblue]

Me personally, I wouldn't buy an open box plasma...but if you see no burn in and no dead pixels then I can't see why there would be an issue. I still would go new for TVs unless I bought from someone like myself.

For stuff like Blu-ray players, etc., I have no issues with open box, got a Pioneer Elite BDP-62FD 3D Blu/SACD/DVD-A from Best Buy for $149 this year.

[Blu Balls]

Originally Posted by McCrutchy

1. The TV does not need service. As I understand, it is in perfect condition. And if it is not, my plan is to have the delivery people box it back up and take it back.

2. I certainly do not have buyer's remorse right now. I'm merely concerned about whether, in the long run, an open box item is a good idea, as this was not something I have ever done before.

Open box doesn't necessarily mean that there is anything wrong with the product. Only time will tell if there is an issue. I don't understand why you paid $350 for a geek squad warranty though. I would have used that money to have the set evaluated and calibrated by a pro.

[Auditor55]

Nothing wrong with purchasing an open box especially if it has no burn-in. That's the whole issue, burn-in. If you have a 15 day return policy, that should give you enough time to check for burn-in or any other fault the display might have.

Remember, check for burn-in because that's the only things that's not covered by the manufacturers warranty, which might be moot, since you have the Geek Squad warranty that does cover burn-in.

Sometimes purchasing a burn-in free open box plasma as cheaper price might be a better deal than buying new because the set's already broken in.

[Halcro 1]

For 500 bucks and piece of mind, I would have bought new. That's just me. If it were 1000. That's another story..

[kris achar]

Always buy new ones,especially since they are going to shut down PDP production sooner than later.

[cmay91472]

I would never buy an "open box" TV from Best Buy, especially when all you did was essentially make a trade off of a new TV for a "returned" TV with an added "Geek Squad" warranty and a pair of 2012 glasses.

Majority of "open box" TVs at BB are TVs returned for various reasons which for the most part include in regards to plasmas.... dead pixels, abnormal buzzing or overheating, minor image retention, cosmetic defects or minor damage/scratches during delivery such as scratches on the screen. Very few are returned in perfect condition because the buyer changed their minds.

If I were you, I would cancel the order ASAP. Just buy a new one and skip the warranty. If the TV is a lemon, you will know immediately as long as you do the standard pixel and uniformity tests to ensure the screen was manufactured correctly. Plus, the odds that Best Buy is even still in business in 3-4 years is up in the air.

[repete66211]

I probably wouldn't buy an open box TV, but any problems it may have are covered by the manufacturer's and Best Buy's warranties. If there are no major problems--really loud buzzing & fans being the primary complaints about this plasma and perhaps the reason that unit was returned--then you're just fine.

When they deliver the set make sure it powers on and then check it for dead pixels and loud noise. If everything looks OK you can check the number of hours in the service menu to see just how much time it has on it.

[Arkadin]

considering the price right now on amazon for a NEW zt60 you made a terrible decision. sorry.
it's only $2300 right now.

[shrex]

Originally Posted by Arkadin

considering the price right now on amazon for a NEW zt60 you made a terrible decision. sorry.
it's only $2300 right now.

A steal at $2300! Wow

[Arkadin]

honestly I think it will hit $2000 when all is said and done.
that's when I'm buying.
btw: the vt60 is only $1500 right now.

[COLD_COBRA_]

Return that beast! Seriously drop that thing off like it's an abandoned baby at a hospital.


at the very least they have to price adjust to the $2,300 it would have been for a new 60zt60. AT THE VERY LEAST have them price adjust to $2,300

I can't even imagine the the celebrating the tv department did after un-loading a freaking open box zt60. They probably had that thing set up with a nice cozy home off in a corner, thinking no one is buying this until spring 2018.

65vt60 for $2,149 consider this as well.

The 60vt60 is 1,749. There's no way an open box zt60 is worth $1,000 more than a new vt60.

Just my opinion though.

[McCrutchy]

Guys, first of all, the 65" model I got is actually $2,900.00 on Amazon today. The $2,300.00 price is for the 60" model.

Secondly, this DID turn out to be the right decision, and here is why:

Part One

I had been thinking about my decision for a long while, because, although I purchased the open box unit on Monday, 11/25, it had still not been delievred yet (again, I need delivery because of my disability).

Now, I'm not superstitious, but initially, the set was supposed to show up on Wednesday, 11/27. Tuesday came, and, as standard, I received a robo-call from the delivery service with a two-hour timeframe (that night... ). Wednesday morning comes, and I get a call from a human at the warehouse, saying that they did not receive the unit from the store, and it will have to be delivered on Saturday, 11/30 instead.

I agreed to this, but then the same situation repeated itself. Late Friday robo-call with delivery timeframe, Saturday morning call from warehouse saying that it had not left the store.

I called the store, and after some searching, the manager confirmed it went out on a shuttle to the warehouse that morning, but they were unable to give me an estimated delivery date. I was told to call 1-888-BEST-BUY to find that out.

45 minutes on hold at that number, and I find out that the delivery has been re-scheduled to Thursday, 12/5, which happens to be the one day this week that I can't take delivery of this TV...

I rescheduled for 12/6, but at this point, I was starting to feel like I was getting A Sign from Above that this TV was not a good idea, and I admit that this thread did not help matters.

Today, I ventured to the Panasonic site to see that they are now price matching Best Buy, so I decided to "return" this open-box nightmare before it had been delivered into my home, likely to catch fire and burn down my entire entertainment center. I brought the accessories and glasses back, and was refunded for everything. Then I purchased a new set from Panasonic.

But the story doesn't end here...

Part Two

This afternoon I received a call from the manager of the Best Buy where I had returned the open box TV. He was obviously concerned that I had returned the unit. I explained the whole situation, including my increasing anxiety about the open box nature of the unit, and my frustration with Best Buy's delivery practices.

The manager was very understanding. He offered to sell me a new model, at the price I paid for the open box unit.

So, this solves all my problems. I got a brand new, 65" ZT60 for $2,719.12 + tax, which will be delivered on Saturday. Since this isn't open box, there was no reason to get the Geek Squad warranty (which I got as a fail-safe) or the other glasses, and I still get to do 24 month interest-free financing on the BB MasterCard, which is a hell of a lot better than paying Panasonic upfront and having to scrimp through the holidays.

So, on balance, I'd say I made out pretty well.

[cmay91472]

Originally Posted by McCrutchy

Guys, first of all, the 65" model I got is actually $2,900.00 on Amazon today. The $2,300.00 price is for the 60" model.

Secondly, this DID turn out to be the right decision, and here is why:

Part One

I had been thinking about my decision for a long while, because, although I purchased the open box unit on Monday, 11/25, it had still not been delievred yet (again, I need delivery because of my disability).

Now, I'm not superstitious, but initially, the set was supposed to show up on Wednesday, 11/27. Tuesday came, and, as standard, I received a robo-call from the delivery service with a two-hour timeframe (that night... ). Wednesday morning comes, and I get a call from a human at the warehouse, saying that they did not receive the unit from the store, and it will have to be delivered on Saturday, 11/30 instead.

I agreed to this, but then the same situation repeated itself. Late Friday robo-call with delivery timeframe, Saturday morning call from warehouse saying that it had not left the store.

I called the store, and after some searching, the manager confirmed it went out on a shuttle to the warehouse that morning, but they were unable to give me an estimated delivery date. I was told to call 1-888-BEST-BUY to find that out.

45 minutes on hold at that number, and I find out that the delivery has been re-scheduled to Thursday, 12/5, which happens to be the one day this week that I can't take delivery of this TV...

I rescheduled for 12/6, but at this point, I was starting to feel like I was getting A Sign from Above that this TV was not a good idea, and I admit that this thread did not help matters.

Today, I ventured to the Panasonic site to see that they are now price matching Best Buy, so I decided to "return" this open-box nightmare before it had been delivered into my home, likely to catch fire and burn down my entire entertainment center. I brought the accessories and glasses back, and was refunded for everything. Then I purchased a new set from Panasonic.

But the story doesn't end here...

Part Two

This afternoon I received a call from the manager of the Best Buy where I had returned the open box TV. He was obviously concerned that I had returned the unit. I explained the whole situation, including my increasing anxiety about the open box nature of the unit, and my frustration with Best Buy's delivery practices.

The manager was very understanding. He offered to sell me a new model, at the price I paid for the open box unit.

So, this solves all my problems. I got a brand new, 65" ZT60 for $2,719.12 + tax, which will be delivered on Saturday. Since this isn't open box, there was no reason to get the Geek Squad warranty (which I got as a fail-safe) or the other glasses, and I still get to do 24 month interest-free financing on the BB MasterCard, which is a hell of a lot better than paying Panasonic upfront and having to scrimp through the holidays.

So, on balance, I'd say I made out pretty well.

Congrats. Glad to see you dumped the open box. Too many nightmare stories you read in regards to open box and Amazon warehouse deals.

Next thing you need to do is to tell BB that in no way do you want the delivery company to open the TV up prior to delivery which is a common practice with many of the third party delivery vendors. They say they do this to check to make sure the screen is not cracked because if it cracks during delivery, the delivery company is on the hook for the TV. Problem is they often slice n dice open the boxes with little regard as well as fail to repack correctly which can lead to dead pixels from the jarring back n forth, especially since these TVs are often jammed into the delivery truck like a Jenga puzzle. Last spring I had a cedar playset delivered and being crushed underneath the multiple boxes of wood were at least half a dozen poor TVs. Even had one of those 84 inch LG 4Ks laying flat in there being used as a buffer between the wood pieces and the slide for the playset. Yikes.

[Arkadin]

whew.....
glad you got a new set and returned the "open" box one.
congrats.

[Wingman1977]

Originally Posted by cmay91472

Congrats. Glad to see you dumped the open box. Too many nightmare stories you read in regards to open box and Amazon warehouse deals.

Next thing you need to do is to tell BB that in no way do you want the delivery company to open the TV up prior to delivery which is a common practice with many of the third party delivery vendors. They say they do this to check to make sure the screen is not cracked because if it cracks during delivery, the delivery company is on the hook for the TV. Problem is they often slice n dice open the boxes with little regard as well as fail to repack correctly which can lead to dead pixels from the jarring back n forth, especially since these TVs are often jammed into the delivery truck like a Jenga puzzle. Last spring I had a cedar playset delivered and being crushed underneath the multiple boxes of wood were at least half a dozen poor TVs. Even had one of those 84 inch LG 4Ks laying flat in there being used as a buffer between the wood pieces and the slide for the playset. Yikes.

Regardless that it worked out in the end, you still made a bad choice getting a open box (you just lucked out that the manager went out of his way to give you a brand new set).

[repete66211]

All's well that ends well. Congrats OP!

Originally Posted by cmay91472

Next thing you need to do is to tell BB that in no way do you want the delivery company to open the TV up prior to delivery which is a common practice with many of the third party delivery vendors. They say they do this to check to make sure the screen is not cracked because if it cracks during delivery, the delivery company is on the hook for the TV. Problem is they often slice n dice open the boxes with little regard as well as fail to repack correctly which can lead to dead pixels from the jarring back n forth, especially since these TVs are often jammed into the delivery truck like a Jenga puzzle.

The box has a perforated flap designed specifically to check the unit for damage. Using this flap does not upset the integrity of the packing. Dead pixels are in no way tied to this practice. And having an open flap (which is taped back into place) will not be tossed around any more than an unopened box.

Personally I would rather they find out the screen is cracked so I don't find out myself on delivery. Besides, it's possible Best Buy checks for cracks, not just the delivery company. And regardless of who does it, they're not going to change that practice after a phone call from a customer.