buy monitor online or in store?

[benjamit]

i was looking at prices for monitors online and they still seem high compared to other comp parts online

is it worth the $50 in shipping or is it better to buy in stores

what about damage in shipping?

 

[Sugadaddy]

If you can get it from a store, that's what I'd do. You save on shipping, it has less chances of being destroyed, and it's a lot easier to RMA.

 

[Vegito]

a lot of online place gives free shipping, i think ecost is one of them if you order 500 or more... but which monitor are you getting,

 

[Stark]

Only buy online if you don't pay tax or shipping. Otherwise you can probably get it cheaper (and faster) locally. Some places also have specials on UPS ground ($7 under 150 lbs.), but then you have to wait for it.

 

[dave127]

i think the best way is to go look at the monitors in the store and the buy what you like online...unless you can get a really good price at a store, they r usually cheaper online

 

[skace]

I only buy monitors online when I can't find them local - which is pretty often. It seems like most computer places don't stock the good monitors.

So go look locally, just don't expect to find the best monitors.

 

[NelsonMuntz]

I think you can probably find better deals online, but I would also look for sites that don't charge shipping or have a flat rate for shipping and compare their prices with shipping to what you can get in a B&M store. Egghead.com has a little bit higher price, but the shipping is a flat $6.95 for UPS ground I think for monitors so it can be a good deal if you are willing to wait. I guess I am just a patient person because I have almost everything shipped on the ground. I did get a monitor along with all the other parts for a computer from Newegg.com and the total shipping was pretty reasonable.

 

[Gosharkss]

If you decide to purchase from a store, be certain to have the sales person set up and show you the exact unit you plan to take home. The showroom model and the unit you take home can vary. Make them remove the unit from the video splitter box they typically use. Have them run it at the same resolution and refresh rate you plan on using. Look at patterns other than the pretty pictures they usually display, these photos tend to hide artifacts and screen defects.

I cannot seem to find the more popular brands of monitors in my local stores and I live in Silicon Valley. Anyone know where to find the more popular brands on display?

As far as RMA's are concerned many online resellers have reasonably priced enhances warranty options where they will fed-x a unit to you, some have programs where they will send a technician to your location, set up a new unit and take away your old unit. This means you do not need to save the shipping carton, foam, no lifting or trying to get it into your little sports car etc. Many stores require original packing materials when you return the unit.

Good Luck

Jim Witkowski
Chief Hardware Engineer
Cornerstone / Monitorsdirect.com

 

[AaronP]

I am so sick of seeing dumpy monitors at my local stores. KDS, Optiquest, and a host of true generics. Arrgh. I wish someone would carry Sony G500's but noone does.

 

[benjamit]

i don't plan on spending too much on another monitor since the most expensive single computer related item i have bought was a $250 cdrw a year or so back

but due to the large number of computer parts i have the costs add up

so i'm looking to spend more than $100 but less than $250 for a 18 inch viewable CRT

i know that this would not be the best quality but it's a price/feature compromise that fits me

as of now i have a 16 inch viewable kds that was $100 after rebate (so so quality) and a 16.25 inch viewable generic (cybervision c70- that's better quality than the kds)

i'll look online and see what i can find

and i'll check out the leads you guys listed

thanks for the input

 

[BillClo]

I ran into this problem when I wanted to buy a Samsung 900NF. NO ONE, even the big chains had one. I ended up going to a Best Buy, and looking at their lower model; the 955DF. I thought it had the best display of ALL the monitors they had, so I took a small chance and ordered it online.

Outpost.com was where I bought mine, and it was a good experience. They had it for $399, and with 2nd DAY AIR shipping, it came to $409. They called me to let me know that they were backordered, and expected it in 5-6 days. 3 days later it arrived, and even sooner than they expected. Cool.

It seems that consumers are more willing to buy the cheapo monitors, and stores can't or won't pay to have the really nice ones. I would, if I had a store, because I prefer quality to price, within reason.

 

[subxeon]

You could order through staples, they do pricematching, which is good... plus if its defect they will send u a sticker to send the DOA product back for free, and get it replaced for FREE.

i just got a sony cpd-g400 for 420 shipped..

sweeeeet

 

[benjamit]

well i don't have as much money as you guys so i got the

HITACHI
19IN/18.0V 22MM 1600X1200 75HZ SUPERSCAN 715
for $270 from buy.com

still better than either of my current monitors but it's not as nice as most people's in these forums

 

[bruntoj]

Why not spend more on a monitor? Its about the only component that isn't a relic after two years. I purchased my Sony 500PS 21" over two years ago. Cost over $1k but cheaper than doing a 17->19->eventual 21 upgrade.

Purchased online because I couldn't find a B&M store that carried decent monitors, especially that size. I was worried about damage at the time but I've had no problems so far.

 

[Kingofcomputer]

high-end model : store
mid-end to low-end model : online

 

[LukFilm]

First, check it out in the store, then buy it online with price-matching, using a coupon, a rebate and free shipping

 

[RossMAN]

DEATH - I would definitely buy a monitor online because the selection and prices are definitely to your advantage.

A monitor you may want to consider is the Samsung 955DF for $256 after $25 off $250 coupon and $20 rebate with FREE SHIPPING from Buy.com

Here's a previous Hot Deals thread which has a lot of good information.

Please PM me for the $25 off $250 coupon code since we cannot post them here. Best of luck!

 

[jamarno]

My concern would be the cost of shipping a lemon back because even some quality monitors have poorly adjusted convergence (color fringes around features, especially at the edges). Few manufacturers pay for shipping both ways.

In-store displays aren't very useful because you need a white-on-black text display to judge quality of focus and convergence, and you have to try all the video modes with a white screen to check for moire problems.

I wouldn't worry about UPS or FedEx causing damage because I've seen about 30 monitors shipped, and only one arrived damaged, and that was because Panasonic mishandled it at their facility (box arrived intact & sealed but bits of broken off plastic were nowhere inside, also some wires had been left unconnected inside).

 

[RossMAN]

I believe it's been mentioned in this thread that Buy.com pays for shipping on defective products.

 

[benjamit]

rossman

thanks for your input

i did see the unit that you mentioned when i got my hitachi at buy.com yesterday

but i'm silly about looks, i didn't like the way the back end of the unit you suggested looked and the refresh rate at the same resolution was lower than the one i got, listed at the top of this tread

i checked out your thread about the monitor and i believe the coupons have expired on 6/20

thanks again

ben

 

[WhatWasIThinking]

I second the Staples recommendation from subxeon (if they have what you want). I got a cheapie 17" envision from them and it was delivered by the Staples truck, not UPS (crush, kill, destroy). I don't know if that is always true (we have a local Staples). I would not risk shipping a monitor via UPS if you can avoid it. If you have a local retailer that has decent prices, a decent selection, and isn't CompUSA, go there.

 

[Courtland]

Stuff is cheaper onling, but if I were you I would get it from someone with a good return policy, ex free shipping back and forth like staples. I ordered a g400 from them, the first one blew up the second day in use, and the second one I just got had a crack on the edge of the casing. These were both shipped via UPS, and they apparently don't treat their packages too well. The second one looked like the box had been dropped off a friggin building. I decided to not order a third, and I do not know what I am going to do now.

 

[Stark]

I once ordered a Hitachi from buy.com.

 

[benjamit]

how was it stark?

i'm hoping its good enough

 

[kehi]

Buy it from a store unless you can ship it fedex b/c ups will f#*k it up royally if they get their hands on it.