Buy Local or online?

[photorebel]

I had actually ordered online from One Call,then I read their return policy. Basically, no returns unless there is shipping damage. The Manufacturer warranty should take care of any defect issues.
I contacted One Call and cancelled. I'd ordered a 52" model, so I was a little worried.
I'd been in the local shop, but their prices were a good bit higher than online. I've bought other equipment over the years from them. But We're talking $500 difference.
Still, I asked...what is the best price I can get, tax included? After all, they had advertised a "Black Friday" sale. To my amazement, he quoted me a price that was within $150 of the online price. Plus, if it's defective they will replace it with a new model right away. And they handle the warranty/repairs, if needed. And give me a loaner TV, while my TV would be in the shop.
To me, that's worth $150.00
I think, but don't know, that maybe they had ordered too many sets, and sales did not go as well. He has two brand new factory sealed Samsung 750s coming in on Monday. I went ahead and paid, and they will deliver as soon as they come in. I'm happy, the dealer is happy. I can't wait.
I have no problem with buying online for smaller items, but a 52" TV is not something I want to bother with packing and shipping, should something be wrong.
So do you guys prefer online or local?

[ixlegitballinxl]

Online for me, no tax, free shipping... I cringe when I see price tags at b&m stores...

Online shopping saved me over 3k this year alone v.s. buying in-store

[photorebel]

I normally buy everything else on line, but a big TV, sort of concerned me.
I buy all BluRay discs, both my players, and everything else online.
Of course the only place to buy Blu Ray locally is WalMart, and they have a lousy selection.

[Hammie]

I did the same thing. When I purchased my Samsung LCD, the local company price matched Amazon's online price, however, when I exchanged the LCD for a Panny plasma, they came within $150 dollars of the Panasonic Employee Purchase Program price and got the Panny BD35 as well. Netting a $130 refund to my pocket.

[PanasonicPlasmaMan]

I only buy online

[gem_n_webz]

i bought our tv online. and typically i buy our bd's online, much cheaper that way.

[Bizdady]

I went online just cause after taxes I saved 400+ dollars on my set.

[fatediesel]

If prices were comparable I would buy local, but I'm yet to see an instance where the prices were even close on HDTVs. I have bought 4 HDTVs online, all from amazon. The last TV I bought, the 50-inch plasma, was over $800 more at Best Buy, plus tax. If we were talking $100 I might decide it was worth it, but at over $1000 more I wouldn't even consider it.

[seigneur_rayden]

Originally Posted by gem_n_webz

i bought our tv online. and typically i buy our bd's online, much cheaper that way.

Who did U buy it from?

Originally Posted by Bizdady

I went online just cause after taxes I saved 400+ dollars on my set.

Who did U buy it from?

[DezNutz]

I am online only as well.. save on retail price, plus no tax is huge advantage..

I usually use pricescan.com to compare online prices.. and they vet retailers to meet certain basic requirments which I like..

[glenn-bob]

i usually shopp online and find a quote then take it to someone local.

[Bizdady]

Originally Posted by seigneur_rayden

Who did U buy it from?



Who did U buy it from?

www.6ave.com used a 6% off coupon code:couponcabin

[syk69]

i bought online as well. i was cautious about it but it was a great experience! perfect tv no issues what so ever and if i would have had issues i know i would have been taken care of from the great reputation and track record of Roman from www.buybestplasma.com

he is well known in the avs forums. always helping out and wont try to sell you anything. you can even check the companys resellerratings its a perfect 10. ordering from him and you wont be dissappointed. also very competitive prices!

you can PM him over there his ID is Roman O or go to the website and chat live or call!

[Bizdady]

Originally Posted by syk69

i bought online as well. i was cautious about it but it was a great experience! perfect tv no issues what so ever and if i would have had issues i know i would have been taken care of from the great reputation and track record of Roman from www.buybestplasma.com

Whoa! $1,875.00 for the Th-50PZ80U? Glad I went with 6ave for under 1200.

[Trix]

This is a topic that has always irked me for a few reasons.

First, let me start by saying that there are vast differences in how people buy online. Some people will read ratings, post around forums, and make their decision that way before buying online. This, to me, seems to be an evolution of the marketplace, and I find it perfectly understandable.

Other people will look at reviews, but will not buy without auditioning the equipment in stores with employees, then going to an online retailer to complete the purchase. Here begins the irking...

The most widespread reason for auditioning in store and buying online is price; the online retailer has a much lower price than the store. However, do these people stop and think of WHY that is? A store has an overhead which is exponentially higher than an online retailer; not only do they have to arrange warehousing and logistics, but they have to maintain a store front, they have to pay their store employees on top of their other employees, they have to take margin hits by opening products for demonstrations, which then get sold as used items, and so on.

Now, this higher overhead means that in order to stay in business, these companies must make a higher profit margin than an online retailer with a much smaller overhead. Now, if the two systems existed in their seperate cosmos, that would be fine; people who are familiar with the equipment and know what they want would order online, netting better prices, and those who have no idea what they want could seek the advice of store employees, paying a higher premium for the information they receive (I will not get into salespeople greed, as I consider this very seperate from this topic, since it existed long before the online marketplace).

When the two cosmos intersect, however, you get the following: retail stores having a higher overhead, and being, for lack of a better word, used as an auditioned, having to provide both products and salespeople for those people who have absolutely no intention of making a purchase, but are only looking to decide which products to order from another online retailer. Then comes the price argument; if the local shop would just match the online price, I wouldn't need to order online! As I've pointed out, however, the local retailer often simply can't compete with online retailers, because their overhead costs, which are just exhorbitant when compared to a company who only needs to maintain a web orders and a warehouse to transit goods from manufacturers to customers.

Now, I'm not in any way saying that I can't support online retailers; I'm simply saying that when people take advantage of local retailers only to buy from online stores, I begin to wonder how they will audition products when the online marketplace forces most local shops to close, leaving nowhere to actually audition anything.

So, in closing, I must say that I constantly have to remind myself that this practice is a minority, and probably has a negligible impact overall. However, it is a practice that continues to irk me, and I thought I might as well get other peoples' input on it, since I obviously overlooked certain points and made certain assumptions that maybe are overgeneralizations.

Sorry, this is a really long post...

[Bizdady]

Originally Posted by Trix

Sorry, this is a really long post...

Still doesnt give B&M stores the right to markup as high % as weve seem them do.

[Trix]

Originally Posted by Bizdady

Still doesnt give B&M stores the right to markup as high % as weve seem them do.

This depends, of course, on what is considered a high %.

The first example I will push forward is TV's, since that's a central product. Were we 10 years back, 5 years even, I would definitly agree that as a percentage, margin on TV's was inflated. In the last few years, however, margin on TV's has been dropping. Given this, it is no surprise that we have what seems to be what even I may consider criminally high margin on accessories; however, if we keep in mind the overhead costs, it is simply not feasible for some locally owned stores to make a sale which garners them less than, say, 15% of margin, because as soon as they drop below that, they are actually losing money by putting the product out the door.

Now, I in no way blame anyone who refuses to buy cables and accessories for retail prices; this is an area where there is definitly a huge discrepancy in margins, and where the margins in stores are nothing short of ridiculous. However, on certain items where the margin is low to begin with, these higher margin, smaller priced items are where the stores can keep their profit at a reasonable level.

I should point out that I am in no way out to lobby from local retail or B&M stores. It is obvious, I believe, that I have worked in retail, however I like to believe that had I been more than a salesperson, I would have brought certain changes within the store. Overall, however, I feel that it is not the B&M stores who lose the most, but specialty mom and pop shops who have provided local service for years, at a premium that people didn't mind paying as a tradeoff for the service.

[commish]

I order online about 95% of the time. It's much more convenient, typically cheaper, and in general requires less effort.The only times I go out to order is when the Mrs wants me to head out to help.

[gearyt]

The occurance is not a minor one but a major one..
Many shoppers now tie up hours of time and expertise
as well as being able to touch and feel in a B/M, only to buy online

although PROFIT is not a four letter word, you must make a buck to
stay in business.... You cannot get talent for $10 / hour, and there
are taxes and rent to be paid. Show rooms and specialists are expensive

Circuit City and Best Buy, Fry's etc drove out the speciality shops
Wal-Mart will drive them out..
When was the last time you got knowledge from a Wal-Mart clerk,
if you could find one....

[photorebel]

I'm happy to support my local dealers. I sympathize with the fact they can't compete with online pricing. The smart dealers offer a greater degree of service that online retailers cannot offer.
That said, I wouldn't have bought my TV locally if it had been $600 more than online.
As it was, a difference of less than $200, (including taxes) plus free delivery to my home, and they'll even set it up for me. If the TV is defective out of the box, or in the first couple of weeks, they will exchange it for a brand new one.
And if I need warranty work, they will pick up the TV from my house, and give me a loaner, and handle the warranty work.
I could see no advantage to buying online in the is instance. Not for only $200 difference.
Plus they've been in business over 10 years here, and have done well. Mostly because they offer a high level of service.
No, they aren't that competitive on pricing on a normal basis. This was a Black Friday Sale price.
Even so, I'm more likely to go back to them next time when I buy a larger TV.
Now for smaller TVs, I have bought online. (20 -23 inch). For one, my local doesn't even carry smaller TVs.
Sometimes, you just have to decide what is most valuable to you, service or price.