Where is the Best Place to Buy an HDTV?

[TheDev]

I went to Target, Walmart, and two malls today, and I was very disappointed. Based upon the info you guys have given me and my personal preferences, I was looking for a 40-inch Panasonic LED HDTV with 1080p. I could not find one. The Panasonics were either 47-inches or bigger (too expensive) or 32-inches or smaller (too small). Does Panasonic make any HDTV's around 40-inches?

The only TV I saw today that interested me was a 40-inch Samsung LED HDTV with 1080p and a price of $599.99. I would go with that but you guys seem very critical of Samsung, so I'm holding off for now.

Where do you guys go to buy TV's? I'm thinking I might try Best Buy. I'm afraid of buying online because I don't want it to be delivered by some douche like this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=--4U4BkulC0

 

[IndyColtsFan]

I have 3 Panasonic plasmas and I bought all of them online (2 from Amazon and 1 from Newegg).

 

[Brainonska511]

I purchased my LG 42" from Amazon. I think it may have come through a reseller, but to me, it was still Amazon. It was delivered by a freight company (I even got to schedule the delivery so I could be home).

 

[frowertr]

I went to Target, Walmart, and two malls today, and I was very disappointed. Based upon the info you guys have given me and my personal preferences, I was looking for a 40-inch Panasonic LED HDTV with 1080p. I could not find one. The Panasonics were either 47-inches or bigger (too expensive) or 32-inches or smaller (too small). Does Panasonic make any HDTV's around 40-inches

Where do you guys go to buy TV's? I'm thinking I might try Best Buy. I'm afraid of buying online because I don't want it to be delivered by some douche like this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=--4U4BkulC0

50" is the new 42". The 42" Tv's just didn't meet sales expectations the big companies wanted. Besides this is America. Bigger is better, right?

The only 2012 model that Panasonic makes in 42" is the UT50.

I buy my Atvs from amazon. Their white glove delivery is top notch and I avoid sales tax.

 

[TheDev]

50" is the new 42". The 42" Tv's just didn't meet sales expectations the big companies wanted. Besides this is America. Bigger is better, right?

The only 2012 model that Panasonic makes in 42" is the UT50.

I buy my Atvs from amazon. Their white glove delivery is top notch and I avoid sales tax.

I don't care if 50" is the new 42". I have no need for a 50". That's bigger than I want or need.

 

[frowertr]

I don't care if 50" is the new 42". I have no need for a 50". That's bigger than I want or need.

Go to panasonics website. They have several non plasmas in the 42" range. They only offer the one 42" plasma I mentioned earlier.

 

[fralexandr]

costco.

costco is the best place to buy because they accept returns for pretty much any reason, have a longer return window, and have extended warranties. They are usually not, however, the cheapest place to buy TVs.

as suggested earlier, amazon.com is one of the better places to buy TVs online due to free super saver shipping and wide ranges of stock (though their search is pretty retarded)
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_no...=panasonic+led

also... you ask who makes the best HDTVs and then you say panasonic 47" LED TVs are too expensive?

 

[TheDev]

costco.

costco is the best place to buy because they accept returns for pretty much any reason, have a longer return window, and have extended warranties. They are usually not, however, the cheapest place to buy TVs.

as suggested earlier, amazon.com is one of the better places to buy TVs online due to free super saver shipping (though their search is pretty retarded)
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_no...=panasonic+led

also... you ask who makes the best HDTVs and then you say panasonic 47" LED TVs are too expensive?

I do not need a TV that big. If you want to get one that big, go for it.

 

[fralexandr]

since you're on a budget, get a vizio 40-42" TV from costco.

or buy the panasonic 42" led TV online at walmart and ship it to a store near you (in store pickup)
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Panasonic-...L42E5/21014016

or buy one from amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_no...+panasonic+led

 

[TheDev]

since you're on a budget, get a vizio 40-42" TV from costco.

or buy the panasonic 42" led TV online at walmart and ship it to a store near you (in store pickup)
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Panasonic-...L42E5/21014016

or buy one from amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_no...+panasonic+led

You're saying that I can order a TV online through Walmart's website, then it will be shipped to a nearby Walmart where I could go and pick it up? Interesting. I didn't know you could do that.

I like the Panasonic you posted. I'd rather get a TV without the smart" features since I don't really need them and I don't really want to feel like I am spending extra money on something I don't want. Does Panasonic have similar TV's without the smart features?

 

[fralexandr]

yep, that's how in-store pickup works.

I don't think finding an LED TV without "smart" features is going to be feasible, smart features and LED almost go hand in hand these days.

basically any TV without "smart" is going to be old. since LED back-lighting is rather new in TVs, only older/out-dated models will have LED w/o "smart" (if they even exist) and it'll be difficult to find in-stock anywhere other than amazon or other online-only sources

 

[TheDev]

I think I am going to buy this TV from Walmart: http://www.walmart.com/ip/Samsung-40...H5000/20554022

 

[thescreensavers]

If you live near a brandsmart go their cheapest prices anywhere including online.

 

[donfm]

If you buy from Amazon just watch out for the ones sold by Paul's TV. I've read numerous horror stories about this company. Their prices however are the best.

You know most of this information you're asking for is readily available online if you did your homework. At last count this is your fourth post about purchasing this same TV. It doesn't appear you've put in any time at all researching your purchase and expect people here to just do all the work for you. People are not going to choose you a TV set only give you options. If you don't like the options presented at least you could be polite. Would be nice if you showed a little bit more respect to the people here trying to help you and lose the attitude.

 

[SlitheryDee]

I got a great deal on a Panasonic plasma on ebay. ~$800 for a tv that was going for ~$1100 everywhere else. Just makes sure you research the retailer you're buying from thoroughly before pulling the trigger.

 

[TheDev]

Is Target a good place to buy one?

 

[Vdubchaos]

I would never buy a TV online (one and only item).

Best Buy and Costco are the places to go. Best buy ONLY when it's deeply discounted, note they do have 2-3 year 0% financing.

Costco is usually better due to MUCH lower cost of extended warranty (best buy warranty is expensive).

 

[purbeast0]

purfail

 

[purbeast0]

ooooh look a spammer bumped an old thread!

I would never buy a TV online (one and only item).

Best Buy and Costco are the places to go. Best buy ONLY when it's deeply discounted, note they do have 2-3 year 0% financing.

Costco is usually better due to MUCH lower cost of extended warranty (best buy warranty is expensive).

why would you never buy a tv online?

 

[Vdubchaos]

ooooh look a spammer bumped an old thread!

why would you never buy a tv online?

For many reasons.

TV is something I buy local vs have delivery service handle it (regardless if it's under warranty or not). If there is anything wrong I go back to Costco/Best Buy vs shipping it/paying the cost/waiting time etc.

It's simply not worth the hassle and I hardly ever see internet prices beat what's local anyways.

When I bought my 46" Samsung from Best Buy internet prices were 200-300 over (for same model).

But it depends on timing.

 

[Brainonska511]

I would never buy a TV online (one and only item).

Best Buy and Costco are the places to go. Best buy ONLY when it's deeply discounted, note they do have 2-3 year 0% financing.

Costco is usually better due to MUCH lower cost of extended warranty (best buy warranty is expensive).

For many reasons.

TV is something I buy local vs have delivery service handle it (regardless if it's under warranty or not). If there is anything wrong I go back to Costco/Best Buy vs shipping it/paying the cost/waiting time etc.

It's simply not worth the hassle and I hardly ever see internet prices beat what's local anyways.

When I bought my 46" Samsung from Best Buy internet prices were 200-300 over (for same model).

But it depends on timing.

1) Buying extended warranties is idiotic. You can pay with an Amex card and get double your warranty, up to a year, for free (assuming you're responsible with your credit). If you pass up on extended warranties, you'll be self-insured and win in the long run.

2) Handled locally or not: I don't see the issue. A delivery company is a delivery company, whether it comes from BB or from Amazon.com. Unless you're hauling the TV out of the store yourself.

I had no problems ordering my tv online - saved me a bundle and a whole lot of hassle over buying in a B&M (no car to transport it with).

If there is a problem, you'd still be out time with one or the other. And depending on the store policies (and for when it may break later, manufacturer warranties) which you should probably read before purchasing, you may not be out return shipping if there was a problem.

 

[purbeast0]

For many reasons.

TV is something I buy local vs have delivery service handle it (regardless if it's under warranty or not). If there is anything wrong I go back to Costco/Best Buy vs shipping it/paying the cost/waiting time etc.

It's simply not worth the hassle and I hardly ever see internet prices beat what's local anyways.

When I bought my 46" Samsung from Best Buy internet prices were 200-300 over (for same model).

But it depends on timing.

that looks like 2 reasons lol, far from "many".

the return one i can understand. but i've never had an extended warranty on a tv nor have i ever had a problem with it, so those 2 things don't concern me at all.

as far as the delivery company goes, the white glove delivery service with amazon was great. it was delivered and he waited while i hooked it up to be sure nothing was wrong with it, then went on his way after it was fine.

and for returns - amazon doesn't charge you return shipping, and they will even send you a new tv as they are grabbing the new one, so you may not be without a tv at all. much easier than having to manually return it to a store and bring it home, if you even bring it home that same day.

i have an AVR that i purchased from bb with an extended warranty, and when it failed, i brought it back to bb. they had to mail it out and i had to wait 4 weeks to get it back fixed. so in my experience there is a lot of turn around time in the case of something breaking, you don't just go and get a new one.

the tv i purchased was $1599 with free delivery from amazon, while it was $1999 + tax at best buy. so over a $500 difference when all said and done, which is about 1/3 the cost of the tv.

im the opposite of you - i will never ever buy a tv in store, always online since it is always the better deal (from my experience) with extreme exceptions such as black friday sales or labor day sales, but usually those are lower end models.