For anyone in the US on the fence about buying '17 stuff now vs waiting for '18 sets

[Nothing371]

DISCLAIMER: This is not attempt to start a political disucssion. Keep politics out of it, please. This is about the current state of buying electronics in the US.

I think you should consider buying last years models sooner rather than later. If people haven't been paying attention to international news over the last couple of weeks, Trump just announced international import tariffs on steel and aluminum. Other countries are positioning themselves for repercussions to the US. The costs associated with imports: manufacturing components, TV sets, other electronics are all expected to go up in the near future.

Prices on 2017 sets have never been lower. They are back to black friday prices on both the high end Sony LCDs and the LG OLEDS. It is my opinion that now is the time to buy new (2017) equipment. Supply is starting to dry up at retailers. We might not see any price drops on 2018 equipment and as new sets get manufactured we could possibly even see prices rise.

I'm not posting this with intent to scare anyone. A lot of this is speculation at this point. But the cost of goods is about to start changing in our economy within the next few months. If you are on a limited budget like me, it's important to pay attention to these things as you forecast your spending. The Dow Jones Industrial just suffered its biggest losses in years, as investors are worried about a trade war. Unless these tariffs don't become enacted, the cost of goods coming from Asia is about to rise. This should make for an interesting discussion over the coming months.

[cynatnite]

It's important to keep in mind that some negotiations are underway with China and electronics are not on the list of products for now.

I expect a lot of this will in the end be a marginal impact on consumers given the political and business pressure trump will be under.

[Gneissoid]

I completely misread the title and thought you were talking about 17 and 18 foot TVs. Gave me pause.

Anyway, regardless of tariffs, I've heard that March is the best time to grab last years' TVs due to stores clearing inventory for the new lines. Once stock is gone we're much less likely to see 'bargain' prices until November. I personally used slickdeals + brickseek + a lot of patience and was able to get a 2016 TV set for pretty cheap last September. Even if the cost of the materials goes up, I don't see companies giving up their usual tactics by not letting anything go on sale.

For me, I've decided to save up and buy something higher-end so I can take advantage of the technologies available. As a result, 1) it will take me a few years to get the money together and 2) bargain prices will most likely not apply. Worrying about tariffs and politics and the economy doesn't make sense for me, but I can see how anyone looking to buy good equipment on the cheap should probably decide now, even just because of the season.

The last few years I've really backed off on watching the news and letting the day-to-day drama go to my head. Media and politics have become this weird beast, and it seems better to take everything with a bag of salt. I don't think there's been anything recently that made me change what I do in my everyday life e.g. planning for the future, etc.

... which is probably why I'll be the first to go when the zombie apocalypse hits.

[bradnoyes]

I'm just hoping that Earth is still here in early 2019 since that's when I'm planning to pick up a new set. But yeah, after going through the pains of trying to build new PCs last year with everything that's been going on with RAM/GPUs, I'd hate to see TV costs start to balloon as well.

[Aidenag]

I wouldnt really stress it too much. This is Trump tweets were talkin about, reality still has to set in as more informed staff inform him of said reality.

His big steel tariff announcement for "All imported steel" ended up having more countries exempted than having tariffs by a good 20-1 margin!. Just took staff informing him that we import more than just Chinese steel. I'll admit i freaked out on that one as my business involves the use of a lot of cutlery steel and i went on a major purchase spree when it was announced, only to watch as all the countries i import steel from(Canada, Sweden and Germany) all got exemptions.

And that's exactly what i expect here. Someone smart(er) than Trump on these issues will inform him of the pitfalls and that states like mine(WA) actually trade more to China than we import still, and how this will destroy our economy. And presto, the exemptions will come rolling in again and what will be left is a token tariff that amounts to nothing of significance, but looks great on re election slogans.

Hope this wasn't too "political" just stating what happened only a few weeks back in regards to tariffs on steel and why nobody here should fret too bad about anything actually happening to TV pricing. Cause let's face it, no politician who wants to be re elected, is going to raise prices on all the toys and fun stuff the masses use to distract themselves from everyday life. That's how revolutions start!

[Robert Zohn]

Posted this on Blu-ray.com two days ago as a rumor and sorry to say it was correct.

Beginning today, prices were increased on the 55" C8 and E8 by $200 and the 65" C8 and E8 went up $300.

All retailers up'd the prices already, I can't get to editing my website till tomorrow morning so everyone gets an Easter/Passover break.

[anthonyls]

Forget buying a 2018 set... wait until 2019 because 2 major changes will occur. In 2019, most set will be available with a 3.0 ATSC tuner, and will introduce HDMI version 2.1. Both of these things will be huge! So, I'd wait until next year.

[Robert Zohn]

Good points and this comes up often. Hope you don't mind my thoughts on this subject.


ATSC 3.0 is not a deal breaker as if you want to go with ATSC OTA or IP just add a ATSC 3.0 set-top-box to any existing TV of any vintage.

Also not sure what you may want from HDMI 2.1 that won't be available with the current HDMI 2.0b chip that can be firmware upgraded to accept VFR and eARC. The big deal with HDMI 2.1 spec is the ability to support 8k resolution and color space 4.4.4, but in our lifetime no content (other than PC gaming) will be mastered in 4.4.4 color.

Also with HDMI 2.1 you will need all new equipment and interconnects, new cables, new 8k TV, new audio receiver, new BD player, etc. And with content years away I don't think we need to wait for TVs equipped for the 8K resolution and HDMI 2.1.

Another thing to consider is that 8K HDMI 2.1 TVs will be very high priced for the first couple years and many folks may want to wait for the technology and hardware to mature before jumping in. So I don't expect 2019 to be the year for the full scale adoption of HDMI 2.1, more likely several years at best.

If you want or need a new TV this year's crop offer an excellent selection for the most discerning a/v enthusiasts and in a few years you can consider HDMI 2.1.

[Robert Zohn]

Another heavy snow storm is preventing us from getting to our store this morning. Shoveling our driveway and waiting for the snow plow to clear our street.

So everyone gets a few more hours of extra discount shopping at Value Electronics!

[RAILERSWIM]

I honestly am going to wait for 2019 models. The HDR war needs to get settled. If more DV hardware comes out then I'll jump on it. As it stands I got screwed over on HDR10+ with my 2016 model Samsung TV. So being kinda burned once is going to make me wait heavily.

I'm actually waiting for 4K projectors to get better. And I'm going to hold off on buying them till we get more laser projectors, and more that support DV out of the box.

[slimdude]

A person will save a lot of money if they buy the last year's model TV because they're much cheaper. Retailers have an tendency to sell their 2017 models at a low discount price, to make room for the 2018's The features can't be that much of a difference because the TV is only a year old. If I were in the market for an new TV, I would most definitely buy a 2017 model to save money.. Who doesn't like to save money!

[bruceames]

I always buy last year's model as they are clearing them out, usually around this time of the year. They are about half the price and the difference in features and performance doesn't justify paying twice as much for a new set.

Also buying last year's model gives me the opportunity to buy a flagship model over middle tier this year, as they would be priced about the same. The flagship models of last year are always better than similarly priced mid-tier models of this year. I can't justify paying flagship prices for current models and watching the prices of them drop so steeply soon after buying would be just painful, lol.

[Nothing371]

I just noticed that the 55" 930E page has been taken down from Bestbuy.com and only the 65" set remains listed at "clearance". So the 930's are just about gone.

They also have the Sony 900F listed for purchase in all five sizes now. It might not be too much longer before the 900E is no longer available for purchase.

The stores in my district haven't changed their displays over to the new LG B8 or C8's yet though. But I imagine it's coming soon. I keep reading about people buying C8's online already.

[MarvelCollector]

Honestly this is the particular set I feel is best for my situation. I have researched for months and have been patiently waiting to upgrade for last two years now.

X930 lets me not worry about burn in, not miss out on future dolby vision over hdmi (if it matters down the road).

So by listing "Clearance" it means they will sell out soon? I was excited when you mentioned "Clearance" but that price is still 2k... was waiting for this set to be at $1500 for the 65 X930E and that would have been a great choice for my requirements.

[Nothing371]

Originally Posted by MarvelCollector

Honestly this is the particular set I feel is best for my situation. I have researched for months and have been patiently waiting to upgrade for last two years now.

X930 lets me not worry about burn in, not miss out on future dolby vision over hdmi (if it matters down the road).

So by listing "Clearance" it means they will sell out soon? I was excited when you mentioned "Clearance" but that price is still 2k... was waiting for this set to be at $1500 for the 65 X930E and that would have been a great choice for my requirements.

I have the 930E and I absolutely adore it. Highly recommend getting that set. It's also not going to get any cheaper than $1500 for the 55" or $2000 for the 65". Because the 55" 900F is debuting currently at $1500. While very similar, the 930E is better than the 900F in regards to higher brightness and a few more dimming zones. I'm not saying you could never find one cheaper, but the warehouse stock is just about gone on those. That's been the price on black friday, super bowl week, now, and most of the weeks in between. We're talking about 2017 sets and its april 2018 now. They are on their way out and have no reason to discount them further. In about a month it's no longer going to be time to buy a TV at a good value; not until November again, or unless you find '17 models on Amazon.

[Nothing371]

Just got back from my Best Buy store. It's finally happening. They had the 85" 900F on display. They also had the C8 and E8 in the corner of Magnolia, but hadn't put them up on the main LG feature wall yet. The sales floor was filled with about a dozen 65" 900Es, a few 49" and only one 55" that they're trying to get rid of ASAP. So the changeover is currently happening.

What I was really looking for were the discounts on the floor models. Apparently they sold their 2016 75" Z9D floor model for $2500 and had to transfer it to another store. This is what they had available on the floor:

[Show spoiler]55" E7 $2,043


65" C7 $1,949


65" Sony A1E $2,719


75" Sony 900E $1,999

So you might want to check your stores if you're looking for a deal on a used floor model. They might be willing to work with you on the price if you talk to a head manager. Just make sure that you buy the service plan :P

[MarvelCollector]

Originally Posted by Nothing371

I have the 930E and I absolutely adore it. Highly recommend getting that set. It's also not going to get any cheaper than $1500 for the 55" or $2000 for the 65". Because the 55" 900F is debuting currently at $1500. While very similar, the 930E is better than the 900F in regards to higher brightness and a few more dimming zones. I'm not saying you could never find one cheaper, but the warehouse stock is just about gone on those. That's been the price on black friday, super bowl week, now, and most of the weeks in between. We're talking about 2017 sets and its april 2018 now. They are on their way out and have no reason to discount them further. In about a month it's no longer going to be time to buy a TV at a good value; not until November again, or unless you find '17 models on Amazon.

So I noticed that in store availability for the 930e is gone. That means only for shipping. So basically no way for me to get this under 2k? They will just wait for the remaining stock to sell at current price?

[ROSS.T.G.]

I picked up the B7 a few weeks for the lowest price I have seen. I have no issues buying last years model. A good display is a good display. I’ll be keeping this display for many years.

[Network23]

yeah after waiting till this year, and ive been saving my pennies, Ive had my eye on the Sony900E 55' for a price drop under $1k then Ive been looking at the 900F as a possiblity. But the price of the F and its not a major upgrade from the E. Now my sites are set on the 930E 55'. I like the specs, the DV ready, and I like the backward compatible on composite video and features. Also I really like the Center Stand, I dont know why sony went with the 2 foots approach with all the New F series just to be different. Hoping to get a good sale price on the 930E sometime this year

[MarvelCollector]

Originally Posted by Network23

yeah after waiting till this year, and ive been saving my pennies, Ive had my eye on the Sony900E 55' for a price drop under $1k then Ive been looking at the 900F as a possiblity. But the price of the F and its not a major upgrade from the E. Now my sites are set on the 930E 55'. I like the specs, the DV ready, and I like the backward compatible on composite video and features. Also I really like the Center Stand, I dont know why sony went with the 2 foots approach with all the New F series just to be different. Hoping to get a good sale price on the 930E sometime this year

From where? These sets are almost gone.. the existing supply is likely a open box store demo unit