Experience with buying a TV online? - Blu-ray Forum

iice74 · 05-03-2008, 06:23 PM

Has anyone purchased a TV online? (i.e Amazon)

I am looking at purchasing a new LCD and finally after several weeks of research, visiting stores, checking out the various TVs etc...I decided on the Samsung LCD (LN52A650 or LN52A750).

Now the big question is where to buy it from? Online at a place like Amazon or go to a store and pick it up. Online will save me around $300.

Anyone have a good or bad experience with purchasing a TV online they can share and help me make the right choice?

thanks everyone!

sokrman14 · 05-03-2008, 06:33 PM

Get it from a store, buying online can save you money, but no warranty, pay for shipping, (no tax, but still obligated to pay buy your state), and nowhere to go if you have questions about it.

cubbieBLU · 05-03-2008, 06:38 PM

I would personally go into a store like Best Buy and see what the best deal they can give you in comparison to the online price. Unless the TV is already on sale, you won't pay regular price.

moviefan · 05-03-2008, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sokrman14

Get it from a store, buying online can save you money, but no warranty, pay for shipping, (no tax, but still obligated to pay buy your state), and nowhere to go if you have questions about it.

Maybe true, but most stores don't want to knoe you after the sale. If you have a problem, they refer you to the manufactures.

Check out Vanns and Crutchfield online. They generally offer excellent prices, free delivery, sometimes setup, and no tax.

Zaphod · 05-03-2008, 07:18 PM

I agree with the OP's, too many risk factors...the two that would worry me the most are:

Warranty (what if the store you buy from is not an authorized dealer)

Shipping Damage

Moefiz · 05-03-2008, 07:21 PM

I would buy at the store.I bought my Tv from CC and I had no problem also when you are actually buying you might be able to compare picture's on different model's.

If you really want to go online i would recomend Crutchfield any day, i have bought other stuff from them and they were very easy to deal with also have a nice return policy.

Wilche · 05-03-2008, 07:21 PM

I bought my Sony XBR4 from Amazon. Their white glove delivery service called for a delivery appointment and they carried it upstairs and set it up. Excellent service. Plus, the price came down for one day within the 30 day window, so I got a nice credit. Amazon is a recognized dealer for many electronic brands, so check it out.

Darren70 · 05-03-2008, 07:35 PM

I bought my TV from Amazon in Feb. 07 & I didn't have any problems. It came with a full warranty & in-home delivery and it was in perfect condition. Since the retailer (Amazon) is not located in my home state (Texas), I was not obligated to pay ANY sales tax. If you know exactly what you want, it's just easier & cheaper to get it online.

SquidPuppet · 05-03-2008, 07:49 PM

I bought my TV from AMAZON and saved $665.00 off of the price of the TV.
I paid no tax ($240.00) AND no freight. I have the SONY warranty. I would have tried to price match at Best Buy, however, Best Buy did not carry the model and size that I wanted and therefore wouldnt match it.

If you decide to buy online, open the box and inspect the item BEFORE signing for it. Simple.

Shiggidy75 · 05-03-2008, 07:51 PM

I ordered a Panasonic plasma from amazon a few weeks ago. It had free shipping and manufacturer warranty. I did go to the store first to check picture and all that to make sure I wanted it. Well I got it delivered last Tues and when the delivery guys took it out of the box to set it up we noticed that the screen was cracked. So I called Amazon and they are replacing it with another that will come on Monday. No ifs, ands, or buts. very nice customer support with Amazon IMO. Just as long as this next tv is in great shape. If not I will get a refund. But if you think about it, anything can happen with the tv whether you get it online or with a local store. They are still shipped from the factory. Plus like you said, I saved $300.

ehaser · 05-03-2008, 11:30 PM

I bought my 46" Sharp from abesofmaine.com.

I saved $800 compared to buying it from BestBuy.
Free shipping, and I have a four year warranty.
It arrived on my doorstep three days from when I purchased it.

It's up to you, how much is $800?

iice74 · 05-05-2008, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ehaser

It's up to you, how much is $800?

After thinking about this really hard and everyone's help on this forum (as always) I've decided to get the TV online and save $300.

I was going to have Circuit City deliver the thing anyways, and if it had problems I would have had to go through the same hassle to take it back only difference is with Amazon they will send folks to pick it up and I will probably have to pay (although Amazon says if there is something wrong with the product they cover the cost) but even if I pay I am sure it will be less than the $300 I am saving!

For now I will use the $300 to buy more of the speakers on my coming soon list! (see sig)

Shiggidy75 · 05-07-2008, 12:30 AM

Like I mentioned earlier in this thread I had gotten a bad tv from amazon and had the delivery guys take it back. Well I got the new one today and it is a beaut. So far no problems. Glad I saved the $300 plus and you will too.

View Poll Results: Where to buy the Samsung LN52A 650 or 750?
Buy it online and save the $300.	9	45.00%
Buy it from the store and avoid the shipping hassles.	8	40.00%
Samsung sucks buy something else.	3	15.00%
Voters: 20. You may not vote on this poll

05-03-2008, 06:23 PM	#1
iice74 Member Member since:Apr 2008 Location:San Diego	Experience with buying a TV online? Has anyone purchased a TV online? (i.e Amazon) I am looking at purchasing a new LCD and finally after several weeks of research, visiting stores, checking out the various TVs etc...I decided on the Samsung LCD (LN52A650 or LN52A750). Now the big question is where to buy it from? Online at a place like Amazon or go to a store and pick it up. Online will save me around $300. Anyone have a good or bad experience with purchasing a TV online they can share and help me make the right choice? thanks everyone!

05-03-2008, 07:18 PM	#5
Zaphod Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Apr 2007 Location:A small planet somewhere in the vicinity of Betelgeuse. Blu-ray collection:350 Trading Score:4	I agree with the OP's, too many risk factors...the two that would worry me the most are: Warranty (what if the store you buy from is not an authorized dealer) Shipping Damage

05-03-2008, 07:35 PM	#8
Darren70 Junior Member Member since:Jun 2007 Location:Carrollton, TX Blu-ray collection:318	I bought my TV from Amazon in Feb. 07 & I didn't have any problems. It came with a full warranty & in-home delivery and it was in perfect condition. Since the retailer (Amazon) is not located in my home state (Texas), I was not obligated to pay ANY sales tax. If you know exactly what you want, it's just easier & cheaper to get it online. Last edited by Darren70; 05-07-2008 at 12:52 AM.

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05-03-2008, 06:33 PM	#2
sokrman14 Special Member Member since:Mar 2006 Location:Omaha, NE Home Theater Gallery:9 Blu-ray collection:32 Blu-ray reviews:1 Trading Score:1	Get it from a store, buying online can save you money, but no warranty, pay for shipping, (no tax, but still obligated to pay buy your state), and nowhere to go if you have questions about it.

05-03-2008, 06:38 PM	#3
cubbieBLU Member Member since:Mar 2008 Blu-ray collection:17	I would personally go into a store like Best Buy and see what the best deal they can give you in comparison to the online price. Unless the TV is already on sale, you won't pay regular price.

05-03-2008, 07:21 PM	#6
Moefiz Blu-ray Knight Member since:Jul 2007 Blu-ray collection:288 DVD collection:20 Blu-ray reviews: 15 Trading Score:70	I would buy at the store.I bought my Tv from CC and I had no problem also when you are actually buying you might be able to compare picture's on different model's. If you really want to go online i would recomend Crutchfield any day, i have bought other stuff from them and they were very easy to deal with also have a nice return policy.

05-03-2008, 07:21 PM	#7
Wilche Member Member since:Nov 2007	I bought my Sony XBR4 from Amazon. Their white glove delivery service called for a delivery appointment and they carried it upstairs and set it up. Excellent service. Plus, the price came down for one day within the 30 day window, so I got a nice credit. Amazon is a recognized dealer for many electronic brands, so check it out.

05-03-2008, 07:49 PM	#9
SquidPuppet Blu-ray Duke Top contributor Member since:Dec 2007 Location:Club Loop Blu-ray collection:277 Blu-ray reviews:27	I bought my TV from AMAZON and saved $665.00 off of the price of the TV. I paid no tax ($240.00) AND no freight. I have the SONY warranty. I would have tried to price match at Best Buy, however, Best Buy did not carry the model and size that I wanted and therefore wouldnt match it. If you decide to buy online, open the box and inspect the item BEFORE signing for it. Simple.

05-03-2008, 07:51 PM	#10
Shiggidy75 Active Member Member since:Mar 2008 Location:Lima, Ohio	I ordered a Panasonic plasma from amazon a few weeks ago. It had free shipping and manufacturer warranty. I did go to the store first to check picture and all that to make sure I wanted it. Well I got it delivered last Tues and when the delivery guys took it out of the box to set it up we noticed that the screen was cracked. So I called Amazon and they are replacing it with another that will come on Monday. No ifs, ands, or buts. very nice customer support with Amazon IMO. Just as long as this next tv is in great shape. If not I will get a refund. But if you think about it, anything can happen with the tv whether you get it online or with a local store. They are still shipped from the factory. Plus like you said, I saved $300.

05-03-2008, 11:30 PM	#11
ehaser Member Member since:Oct 2007	I bought my 46" Sharp from abesofmaine.com. I saved $800 compared to buying it from BestBuy. Free shipping, and I have a four year warranty. It arrived on my doorstep three days from when I purchased it. It's up to you, how much is $800?

05-07-2008, 12:30 AM	#13
Shiggidy75 Active Member Member since:Mar 2008 Location:Lima, Ohio	Like I mentioned earlier in this thread I had gotten a bad tv from amazon and had the delivery guys take it back. Well I got the new one today and it is a beaut. So far no problems. Glad I saved the $300 plus and you will too.

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