In Reply to: HDTV Plasma Screen Price Discounting? posted by AbeCollins on January 27, 2003 at 17:33:01:
Most B&M stores aren't going to budge much from what they're asking on the sticker. What you gain by using them is usually better access, the ability to do in store comparisons and a local venue to deal with if there is a problem (ie, if there are dead pixels, the local dealer can either give you another plasma or -- possibly -- get another one for you quicker). Many of the local dealers can send someone out with the delivery (if you don't bring it home yourself) to help with setting up the monitor and whatever hookup difficulties you might have. If you live in Athens GA and order online from a seller in Spokane WA, the "helpful hardware man" probably won't come attached to the pallet in most cases. :-)Here's an idea you might want to look into. Try to find out a downtime in electronics sales. It might be the end of a quarter, the end of the month, right before new products will be introduced, etc. Get the best price you can find from a reputable* online dealer, include shipping and any accessories you are going to need. Go to the manager of the store and see if you can work out a better deal than what the sticker price has listed. The manager might be more inclined to make you a better deal due to the fact that he is more concerned (in most cases) with moving product at that time, as opposed to making a sales commission. Can't hurt to try if you don't want to buy online.
* The two online sources for plasma monitors that I've seen the most favorable mention of are:
1800plasmas.com and plasmaextreme.com
There may be others that are mentioned, but these two seem to come up more often than any others. Regardless of where you buy, ALWAYS inquire about the warranty and what will be done for you should any service complications arise. Plasmas, at least for most people, are not cheap. As they represent quite an investment, it is impairative that you do your research "before" -- it may be too late "after".
On a similar note, NEVER buy Fujitsu online. Fujitsu will NOT honor the warranty on ANY online purchase, REGARDLESS of what the online seller tells you. That said, Fujitsu does, however, make the best plasma monitor in the business. But you will pay for the best.
Good luck with your search. Just remember this: when you own a plasma monitor, you seem to get more than your fair share of guests that just "happen" to be in the neighborhood...
:-)
This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:
Follow Ups
- going to be tough - Joe Murphy Jr 09:48:45 01/28/03 (7)
- Re: going to be tough - AbeCollins 23:21:48 01/28/03 (2)
- Abe, saw your "audio" pics - Joe Murphy Jr 11:55:27 01/29/03 (1)
- Re: Abe, saw your "audio" pics - AbeCollins 22:14:10 01/29/03 (0)
- which mags? - TA 11:03:47 01/28/03 (3)
- www.plasmatvbuyingguide.com - FineChina 21:57:32 02/20/03 (0)
- Forget the mags... - Harmonia 21:16:58 01/29/03 (0)
- As my favorite Doctor, - Joe Murphy Jr 13:31:09 01/28/03 (0)