Sony BDP-S550 Bargain

[dragondyn]

Hi. I'm new to registering for and posting on this forum but have long enjoyed browsing and learning from it. Thanks to input from here among other sources I deduced what needs my first blu-ray player would require, kept posted on what was coming out and decided the Sony BDP-S550 would have what I need in my set-up. Saved up $500 over the last few months to buy one hoping it would hit that price mark or less. Got a Crutchfield catolog in the mail a couple weeks ago and they had the BDP-550 at $399.99, available 9/28/08. I checked their website and it listed the player at $499.99 available mid-October. Called them and the catalog price of $399.99 is good(!!) with the mid-October release date. They also offer a 3-year replacement extended warranty for $30. I asked a rep on the phone if replacement was really the deal, not 'ship and fix'. Sales rep confirmed. The Sony site has the unit at $499.99 with a 2-year ship and fix warranty for $30. Also, no tax and free shipping from Crutchfield. Crutchfield is usually not the cheapest source but they are always reliable, great service and trustworthy. And in this case, what a deal! I mailed my cashiers check this afternoon!