Buy Local or online? - Blu-ray Forum

photorebel · 12-01-2008, 05:38 AM

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 · 12-01-2008, 05:41 AM

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 · 12-01-2008, 05:49 AM

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 · 12-01-2008, 04:24 PM

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 · 12-01-2008, 06:33 PM

I only buy online

gem_n_webz · 12-01-2008, 06:39 PM

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

coolmilo · 01-08-2009, 11:08 PM

I buy 90% from Amazon.com and 10% local (Fry's and Best Buy sales). I am very pleased with Amazon service.

doctorsteve · 01-08-2009, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coolmilo

I buy 90% from Amazon.com and 10% local (Fry's and Best Buy sales). I am very pleased with Amazon service.

I'd love to buy local, but when I can't find Bottle Rocket and Caligula at a B&M, I (unfortunately) have to start thinking of going Amazon... maybe exclusively.

supersix4 · 01-10-2009, 06:57 AM

I always worry about big things I buy online... I probly shouldnt but I some how am always able to justify to myself the extra $$$ it "might" take if something should go wrong.

ixlegitballinxl · 01-10-2009, 08:51 AM

online no doubt... too much money to be saved vs buying in stores

Fors* · 01-13-2009, 07:13 PM

I just got my new TV that I bought online for the first time from Amazon, the Sammy 46" 650. The price was under $1500 (as of last week), no tax, no shipping and the white glove service was all excellent. Ordered it on Monday and got it Friday morning (Illinois to PA with their regular shipping). Everything worked out great and the TV is unbelievable. Really hard to beat Amazon right now.....

[1080-p] · 01-13-2009, 07:32 PM

locally i perfer to grasp the movie and take it home the same day

Krudy · 01-13-2009, 08:27 PM

I had my local bestbuy match a price from an online store. I know Bestbuy doesn't usually match prices online, but I happened to find a really good deal from an online store that had a B & M Storefront as well. Bestbuy matched the price because of it.

The reason I went with Bestbuy was because when I bought my TV, I signed up for the bestbuy credit card that got me 18 months of 0% interest. I don't know how you can beat that. I planned out my payment schedule and figured that I can pay only $50 a month for the first 11 months, and $100 a month for the remaining 7. That can't be beat

fighthefutureofhd · 01-13-2009, 09:43 PM

i prefer buying at a brick and mortar store. especially with big ticket items. that way i know if anything goes wrong i can take it back with little problems. i am leery of buying big ticket items online. i was worried when i bought my sony bdp-s300, but thankfully it all worked out.

12-01-2008, 05:38 AM	#1
photorebel Active Member Member since:Dec 2007	Buy Local or online? 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?

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12-01-2008, 05:41 AM	#2
ixlegitballinxl Banned Member since:Feb 2008 Location:Magic Kingdom, FL Home Theater Gallery:7 Blu-ray collection:631 Trading Score:22	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

12-01-2008, 05:49 AM	#3
photorebel Active Member Member since:Dec 2007	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.

12-01-2008, 04:24 PM	#4
Hammie Blu-ray Champion Top ranked HT gallery Top contributor Member since:May 2008 Location:Washington, DC Metro Home Theater Gallery:53 Blu-ray collection:545 DVD collection:12 Trading Score:12	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.

12-01-2008, 06:33 PM	#5
PanasonicPlasmaMan Special Member Member since:Jul 2008 Location:California Home Theater Gallery:14 Blu-ray collection:25 Blu-ray reviews:1 Trading Score:18	I only buy online

12-01-2008, 06:39 PM	#6
gem_n_webz Active Member Member since:Jul 2008 Location:Flint, Michigan Blu-ray collection:228 Trading Score:14	i bought our tv online. and typically i buy our bd's online, much cheaper that way.

01-08-2009, 11:08 PM	#7
coolmilo Blu-ray Guru Member since:Jan 2007 Location:Silicon Valley Home Theater Gallery:16 Blu-ray reviews:2 Trading Score:2	I buy 90% from Amazon.com and 10% local (Fry's and Best Buy sales). I am very pleased with Amazon service.

01-10-2009, 06:57 AM	#9
supersix4 Blu-ray Archduke Top contributor Member since:Mar 2007 Blu-ray collection:572 Blu-ray reviews: 53 Trading Score:3	I always worry about big things I buy online... I probly shouldnt but I some how am always able to justify to myself the extra $$$ it "might" take if something should go wrong.

01-10-2009, 08:51 AM	#10
ixlegitballinxl Banned Member since:Feb 2008 Location:Magic Kingdom, FL Home Theater Gallery:7 Blu-ray collection:631 Trading Score:22	online no doubt... too much money to be saved vs buying in stores

01-13-2009, 07:13 PM	#11
Fors* Moderator Top ranked HT gallery Top contributor Member since:Jan 2009 Location:Pottstown, PA Home Theater Gallery:160 4K collection:12 Blu-ray collection:142 Trading Score:11	I just got my new TV that I bought online for the first time from Amazon, the Sammy 46" 650. The price was under $1500 (as of last week), no tax, no shipping and the white glove service was all excellent. Ordered it on Monday and got it Friday morning (Illinois to PA with their regular shipping). Everything worked out great and the TV is unbelievable. Really hard to beat Amazon right now.....

01-13-2009, 07:32 PM	#12
[1080-p] Banned Member since:Jan 2009 Location:house	locally i perfer to grasp the movie and take it home the same day

01-13-2009, 08:27 PM	#13
Krudy Member Member since:Jul 2008 Trading Score:2	I had my local bestbuy match a price from an online store. I know Bestbuy doesn't usually match prices online, but I happened to find a really good deal from an online store that had a B & M Storefront as well. Bestbuy matched the price because of it. The reason I went with Bestbuy was because when I bought my TV, I signed up for the bestbuy credit card that got me 18 months of 0% interest. I don't know how you can beat that. I planned out my payment schedule and figured that I can pay only $50 a month for the first 11 months, and $100 a month for the remaining 7. That can't be beat

01-13-2009, 09:43 PM	#14
fighthefutureofhd Blu-ray Baron Member since:Jun 2008 Location:Dry County	i prefer buying at a brick and mortar store. especially with big ticket items. that way i know if anything goes wrong i can take it back with little problems. i am leery of buying big ticket items online. i was worried when i bought my sony bdp-s300, but thankfully it all worked out.

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