What's a reputable place to buy TV online?

[JulesMaximus]

Basically, he ordered a 50" Sharp LCD TV online about a month ago and just took delivery of it last Friday. He told me this morning that the set looked like it had been opened and used and within an hour of use the screen started giving him a washed out picture. After looking through the manual (which was also worn) he noticed a paper drop out from between the pages. Are you ready for this? The paper was the original invoice from a different vendor some 7 months ago!

Anyway, he's trying to get an RMA number to return this set to the place he bought it. I told him to document everything, every phone call, every conversation, take pictures of the set and keep that invoice he found. He even called the previous owners of the set and confirmed that they had owned it and discussed the problems they had with it. Seems they owned it for 5 months and had difficulty returning it too. The original purchase was from Abe's of Maine. I'm not sure who my friend purchased this set from though.

I'm not sure if he'll buy online but thought I'd ask for a reputable place anyway.

Thanks.

 

[TheTony]

Crutchfield doesn't always have the best prices, but they're competitive and their service is top notch.

I've heard good things about Onecall, but that was some time ago.

I suppose some of the big box places might be decent as well (CC, BB, Sears, etc).

 

[jlazzaro]

I bought a 42" LCD from Newegg...couldnt be happier.

 

[Phokus]

Newegg won't let you return the TV for certain sizes (or is it amounts?)... better go with crutchfield.

 

[BurnItDwn]

I like onecall, but it has been several years since I ordered my TV from them. (I bought a 61inch Toshiba around in 2001 or 2002, I forget exactly when.)

 

[mzkhadir]

I bought mine from Amazon, no problems.

 

[iRONic]

I bought a 50" DLP from Amazon...couldn't be happier.

 

[jagga]

visualApex.com.. used it about 2yrs ago.. great experience!

 

[NuclearNed]

I bought my 46" Sony and other electronics from http://www.abtelectronics.com/. I've always been extremely happy with them.

 

[RossMAN]

Why buy online? Unless it's due to tax savings? But isn't that offset by shipping and handling?

I bought our Toshiba 50" DLP from a local video electronics store and negotiated a better price.

Best Buy usually has sales + 12% printable coupon, and don't forget about CostCo and Fry's Electronics.

 

[Mxylplyx]

Bought my 46" Sammy DLP from www.vanns.com. It was the cheapest price, AND they threw in a logitech harmony remote, which now I dont think I could live without.

 

[NuclearNed]

Originally posted by: RossMAN
Why buy online? Unless it's due to tax savings? But isn't that offset by shipping and handling?

I bought our Toshiba 50" DLP from a local video electronics store and negotiated a better price.

Best Buy usually has sales + 12% printable coupon, and don't forget about CostCo and Fry's Electronics.

The store to which I linked above doesn't charge tax in my state, and for most larger purchases doesn't charge s/h.

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: NuclearNed

Originally posted by: RossMAN
Why buy online? Unless it's due to tax savings? But isn't that offset by shipping and handling?

I bought our Toshiba 50" DLP from a local video electronics store and negotiated a better price.

Best Buy usually has sales + 12% printable coupon, and don't forget about CostCo and Fry's Electronics.

The store to which I linked above doesn't charge tax in my state, and for most larger purchases don't charge s/h.

What's sales tax?

<--- Oregonian 0%

 

[waggy]

i managed to get Best Buy to price match Amazon (ok so i lie. my wife did it sigh). Got a nice 65" dlp for a good price.

 

[iRONic]

Originally posted by: RossMAN
Why buy online? Unless it's due to tax savings? But isn't that offset by shipping and handling?

I bought our Toshiba 50" DLP from a local video electronics store and negotiated a better price.

Best Buy usually has sales + 12% printable coupon, and don't forget about CostCo and Fry's Electronics.

We got free s&h with our tax free purchase from Amazon. Although I'm legally obligated to pay the state it's sales tax.

 

[dabuddha]

Bought mine from onecall.com and have had no problems. My dad got his from amazon.com and had no problems either.

 

[akshatp]

abes of maine.. Oh my... dont get fooled by any of those websites that offer the tv at huge discounts...

if it sounds to good to be true.... it usually is...

 

[Ns1]

costco.com

 

[K1052]

I've had good experiences with Onecall and Abt

 

[dquan97]

Craigslist

 

[mugs]

Doesn't Abe's of Maine go by different names? He probably bought it from one of their other websites - that would explain why the invoice was from a different company.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: akshatp
abes of maine.. Oh my... dont get fooled by any of those websites that offer the tv at huge discounts...

if it sounds to good to be true.... it usually is...

That's what I told him. Oh well, apparently he got an RMA number today so it's going back and he's going to buy it locally probably.

 

[zoiks]

Buy it from one of the vendors on Avsforms. The reason is that if there was ever a problem such as this one, you can bet that everyone on the board would know about it and that would dramatically affect the vendors business. The vendors on that site are active in the discussions and bat for the customer even when the manufacturer denies the claim.

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: NuclearNed

Originally posted by: RossMAN
Why buy online? Unless it's due to tax savings? But isn't that offset by shipping and handling?

I bought our Toshiba 50" DLP from a local video electronics store and negotiated a better price.

Best Buy usually has sales + 12% printable coupon, and don't forget about CostCo and Fry's Electronics.

The store to which I linked above doesn't charge tax in my state, and for most larger purchases doesn't charge s/h.

stores don't charge tax. they collect it. your state charges tax. you most likely owe a use tax. not paying it is probably a crime.