Duh Vuh Duh

Sorry if this is the wrong forum, but I recently read this article:

http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10098474-1.html

Which mentions this:
And I was just wondering if this was consistent with any of you dvdtalkers' experiences? When did you get the best deal? A few weeks before xmas, days before?

Superman07

I'm not sure, but if you look at some of the deal sites there are some truely amazing finds out there right now. I think the low prices, as a result of stores trying to bring in customers, and this other added deals/bonuses ontop are creating unheard of prices. It's possible they may go lower, but as low as they are now I'd be a little shocked. Of course that means 1) they are taking a loss, or 2) they are still making money and the markup is much higher than we thought.

jonw9

Which are these great bargins?

My wife wants to buy her parents an LCD (or perhaps plasma), and we want to stay affordable, in the 32"-37" size.

Who are the "go to" brands in this area?

Spiky

I find electronics stores use cheap (meaning crappy) stuff on Black Friday as loss leaders, but don't put the good stuff on huge discounts. After Christmas is more likely for the best deals on quality products, or just before. (but the best time is right when a new model comes out, find the old one on discount)

Walmart might be a place to get decent deals Friday if they have any decent stuff, but bring a weapon if you want to survive. I'd rather pay more than go there this Friday.

JimRochester

TVs are easy to use as loss leaders because many people will buy the $80 HDMI cable and a $300 entertainment center, plus a few other accessories with a bazillion % markup.

Brian Shannon

Just my .02 but i would focus less on the price and more on the quality of the set.

Choose a tv first then shop for price.

Geofferson

Agreed. For example, I'm in the market for a couple plasma's (large & small). I've narrowed it down to Panny -- now just searching around for the best price...

Sdallnct

In my experience, better deals come in early January...for the Super Bowl.

Agree with others. Decide on the TV you want based on needs, quality, etc. Then find the best deal on that TV. Buying a random TV based on a price point is not smart.

Though, if you are willing to work today and tomorrow, you could check the adds on what TV's will be a great price and do some research and read reviews. Remember the really, really good buys will require you to wait in line perhaps several hours if not till midnight or even earlier to actually get one.

JimRochester

I agree, but in my case I'm not looking for anything great. I have a nice 58" Panasonic in the Family Room. I'm looking for a 32ish size set for the bedroom for a few times per month. It will probably take 10 years before it gets the hours the regular TV gets in a few months.

jonw9

I am looking through today's ads, and one thing that is kind of confusing me is:

What is the difference between a class 720p and a 720p tv?

mrhan

I was thinking along the same lines a couple of years ago. I also have a 58" Panny and wanted a 42" in the bedroom; bought a Vizio and hardly ever used it. It crapped out after 2 years. It was a good thing I bought it at Costco and traded up to a 50" Panny for cheaper. Go with a name brand.

Spiky

Find the specs, don't trust marketing. If you can't find them, I'd say you've found something NOT to buy.

DVD Polizei

I'd go on Fatwallet and look for a Vizio or something then.

jonw9

Here is a Samsung class 720 for $499:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1218013168625

Here is a Samsung, listed as 720P, for $599
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1202648987833

Both have the same resolution. I was just wondering if the "class" had something to do with the price difference.

Spiky

They look almost identical to me. The 330 has a higher contrast rating, probably a slightly better panel, hence the higher price.

Larry C.

As someone who worked in High end home electronic sales.... The best deals on TV's are the couple of weeks before the Superbowl.

Sdallnct is right 100%

jonw9

That is what I figured too, i was just confused by the "class" description.

Spiky

Well, I follow my own advice and completely ignore marketing copy. If it had been me doing the original shopping, I likely wouldn't even have noticed that extra word. I guess I'm saying that I wouldn't worry about it.

The thing that would bug me in this case is that they are both PC panels instead of TV panels. The 1366x768 resolution gives that away. It means the TV will have to convert all TV signals to its native resolution.

MrVette99

After Christmas is my target. If this season retail sales is as bad "they" are predicting, then bargains galore will be had for those with some cash left over.

SkipKassidy

I'll go out on a limb and say that you'll find huge HDTV discounts around the time of next year's Super Bowl, which is a few weeks after the changeover from analog to digital.

So check out deals around February 17, 2009, give or take a week.

Spiky

I think you mean "before". Super bowl is Feb 1.

Duh Vuh Duh

So I waited even though a few were tempting but afte reading this and a few reviews of the BF tvs sounds like they are cheaper sets made specifically as loss leaders. So, I figured why spend $900 on a good priced set that may not have all the features I want, just wait and spend $1200 on the set I really want.

Mr. Cinema

I think we'll also see some great deals just before the digital switch deadline in February as well.