54" AKAI projection TV at Sam's Club - $798

[JDub02]

Seems like a pretty hot deal if you don't need HD or widescreen, but still want a big TV.

Sam's Club

 

[DarkNephree]

Akai? Hmmm, anyone know about the quality of this make?

 

[JDub02]

I have an Akai 27" TV and it's just a rebadged Samsung.

My parents have the 54" HD Akai and it's worked out for them so far. They got it for $998, but it doesn't look like Sam's carries any more.

 

[djk]

most of the akai televisions are Samsung rebadges.

They used to carry a 27" flat tube akai, which was a rebadge, and costed 50% less than the samsung's identical model.

 

[JDub02]

Akai link

 

[IgorTs]

it used to be one of the leading Japanise brands few decades ago.
Not popular in USA.

 

[Duckstab]

I too picked up the Akai 27" flat tube from Sam's and i love it, although i do wish it were larger

 

[JDub02]

Duckstab .. me too. That's why I'm planning on upgrading.

 

[TEEZLE]

only 90 days labor warranty? Is that good?

 

[JDub02]

Originally posted by: TEEZLE
only 90 days labor warranty? Is that good?

For < $60, Sam's offers a 3 year extended warranty on top of the manufacturers .. and it covers everything.

 

[JDub02]

Sam's warranty


Description:
With SAMS CLUB Service Agreement, there is no deductible or hidden fees. All eligible repairs are fully covered for three years after expiration of the maunfacturers warranty. And, if we cant fix it, well replace it -- FREE!
Youll save 50-70 off Regular Retailers Prices on Premium Extended Warranty Packages!


No deductibles or hidden fees
Three years of coverage after expiration of manufacturers warranty
90-day money back guarantee
24-hour toll-free help line - 365 days a year
Covers damage caused by normal wear and tear
Nationwide service center network with more than 25,000 providers
100 refunds
No-lemon policy



$54.68 on the Akai

 

[MaxDepth]

Hmm. Pay rent or buy the TV. Damn, I hate these decisions.

 

[JDub02]

Weird double post.

 

[JDub02]

Went tonight to look at them again. It's a rebadged Samsung. Well, at least a Samsung remote worked with it. The picture looks as good as the HD Samsung they had beside it. Not quite as good as the RCA they have for $963. I think I'm going with that one.

RCA Link

 

[Nemesis300]

drool big TV's!

 

[Zim]

I saw this in Sam's recently. I noticed that there was a lot of space inside the back of the cabinet so I took the opportunity to drop a couple of smelly ones in there. Some happy shopper's gonna get a nice surprise!

 

[Jawadali]

Is there any way to get a temporary or promotional membership for Sam's Club?

My family is looking for a good non-HDTV.

Thanks

 

[JDub02]

Originally posted by: Jawadali
Is there any way to get a temporary or promotional membership for Sam's Club?

My family is looking for a good non-HDTV.

Thanks

There was just a post about it. I forget when the dates are.

I think a year is only $20-30, though. Worth it if you shop there a few times.

Or just find someone with a Sam's membership. You can go in with them and just buy it with their card.

 

[rogerq]

Don't know about Akai Video products;but, Akai audio products have always been great. Akai is a subsiderary of Mitsubishi.

In the mid 60's, they were one of the leaders in the tape deck market. They were the first tape deck to offer a home deck with both reel and 8 track cartridge in the same deck for the audiophile market. It was a very good product. Later, when Mitsubishi became better known, the Akai product line dissapeared somewhat in the US. About 10-12 years ago, I purchased an Akai Audio/Video receiver for my home theater. Worked great.

I just recently noticed that Costco was carrying some Akai TV products.
But they are in no way associated with Samsung. Akai is Japanese and Samsung is Korean. The two don't mix.

 

[buybuybuy]

There is a free guest pass expiring on Feb. 1, but I think there is a 10% service charge to anything you buy with the guest pass, unless you are in CA, SC or NY... so you're better off buying the membership or borrowing someone else's card....

Link to Guest Pass

 

[SledgehammerFab25]

Originally posted by: IgorTs
it used to be one of the leading Japanise brands few decades ago.
Not popular in USA.

Samsung is Korean! I don't see how they could have been one of the leading Japanese brands. It made me laugh though. Thank you, seriously. Nice TV anyway. I've been looking over the last 6 months. Actually, just trying to talk myself into it. This might swing the pendulum to the buy side.

 

[Jawadali]

Heh, a 10% sevice charge would be $80 on this TV. I'd rather buy a 1 year membership for $35. However, I've heard that most stores don't charge the extra 10%, but I'm not positive about it.

 

[JDub02]

Originally posted by: rogerq
Don't know about Akai Video products;but, Akai audio products have always been great. Akai is a subsiderary of Mitsubishi.

In the mid 60's, they were one of the leaders in the tape deck market. They were the first tape deck to offer a home deck with both reel and 8 track cartridge in the same deck for the audiophile market. It was a very good product. Later, when Mitsubishi became better known, the Akai product line dissapeared somewhat in the US. About 10-12 years ago, I purchased an Akai Audio/Video receiver for my home theater. Worked great.

I just recently noticed that Costco was carrying some Akai TV products.
But they are in no way associated with Samsung. Akai is Japanese and Samsung is Korean. The two don't mix.

You seem pretty knowledgable, but I'm 99% sure that my 27" Akai CRT is a rebadged Samsung. And I'm 80% sure that this Akai projection TV is a rebadged Samsung, given that the Samsung remote from the TV beside it worked just fine.

 

[TEEZLE]

Damn i wish this was widescreen (i'd pick it up in a minute if it was )

 

[JDub02]

Originally posted by: TEEZLE
Damn i wish this was widescreen (i'd pick it up in a minute if it was )

They have a couple HD widescreens there in the 11-1200 range.

Also found a Daewoo 43" HD plasma for <$1700.