Buy Online vs Local Store

hjf · 06-14-2009, 04:28 PM

I notice that HDTV purchase prices from online sellers are significantly less than retail stores (including a nationwide chain). I can save several hundred $ by ordering the model I'm looking at online and some sellers have free shipping. Have you purchased your HDTV online and would you recommend it?

iserum · 06-14-2009, 07:09 PM

there are pros and cons to buy online are,
the only pro is lower price.
Now the cons,
almost impossible to return if they are not defective, if you don't like performance either you have to live with it or if authorized for return you have to ship at your own expense which could be expensive including insurance, when TVs were 2 to 3K range the saving were significant online, now prices with in $1200 (most tv 46 inches or 50 inch plasmas)the saving are not that significant online. At this point it is not worth buying online.
Local store will exchange TVs for even one dead pixel or even you don't like performance. Costco online purchases could be return at stores.

daleb · 06-14-2009, 08:14 PM

'Returns' is the key issue. Beyond that there are some excellent dealers online.
What does not pay, is going online to save money with a reputable company and then switch to a questionable source just to save a few more bucks.

jmcohen23 · 06-15-2009, 07:11 AM

I completely agree with iserum and daleb.

I have purchased online (from ebay in fact), and I would recommend it, so long as you are willing understand the risks involved.

buying online is only riskier if you buy from a non-retail store. you can buy from best buy online, and then return the product to one of their retail store.

returning an item to a non-retail store could be problematic (I have yet to experience this with a tv, and I hope I don't have to).

but you will have to determine if the savings is worth the risk to you. for me, it was worth $250 (or 33% of the cost).

if you are going to buy online from a non-retail store, do your research and check for reviews on the seller to determine their reputation.

good luck.

numan2good · 06-15-2009, 11:18 AM

yups i also agree by them
but the reason i think people preffer online buying because you save much money by not paying high taxes as you have to pay less taxes when you shop online.so this may also be the reason.and yups there is free shipping i got one of mine....and it was free shipped
but it depends how early you want your order...you can change your shipping options by on the website or first have information by calling there agents..so i will preffer online buying
and return is concerned i guess we read all the specifications and reviews about the certain product before buying so its not that after reading many reviews you would like to return it...but exceptions are always there...

daleb · 06-15-2009, 12:53 PM

The tax thing is certainly an issue, and could be a very hotly debated one...so I will not start anything I can't finish.
But I have found better customer service at the better online stores than at some local retailers.

Shopping online does not have to be a negative experience. Whatever you do, online or not, being educated on your product is rule #1.

numan2good · 06-15-2009, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daleb

The tax thing is certainly an issue, and could be a very hotly debated one...so I will not start anything I can't finish.
But I have found better customer service at the better online stores than at some local retailers.

Shopping online does not have to be a negative experience. Whatever you do, online or not, being educated on your product is rule #1.

100% agreed
product knowledge is essential and i guess internet would be the best way to get the product knowledge as many sellers have the information about the product to there website...

auburnfan23 · 06-16-2009, 06:37 PM

I think buying online is a great way to go. I have had good luck in the past with Amazon.com..

numan2good · 06-16-2009, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by auburnfan23

I think buying online is a great way to go. I have had good luck in the past with Amazon.com..

great
best of luck for future....

Cle. Plasma · 06-17-2009, 09:33 AM

Get to know the company you are considering doing business with.

-The retail stores we are talking about do not have good reviews on www.resellerratings.com even though they have a 30 day return policy or less. Internet companies do not have that type of return policy but get higher reviews ??

Cadssdac · 06-17-2009, 12:20 PM

Shopping online seems to be the easiest thing you can do when you're in a hurry to buy things. You can get items shipped to you next day or 2nd business day if you need to. One disadvantage of shopping online is the cost of shipping. However, you can often find good deals like free
shipping or free shipping on orders over a certain amount. One benefit of shopping online is a wider variety of items you wouldn't be able to find in the local store. You can also take your time online rather than rush through the store like most of us do. I would look around online for different places that offer free shipping and keep track of them because you save in gas money also.

daleb · 06-17-2009, 03:37 PM

One concern I read a lot about online retailers has to do with shipping. It goes something like this: " I can pick it up in the store, or they only have to drive it a few miles to my house. Much less risk!"

How do you think they got it from the assembly plant to your dealer? Beam it up???

Cle. Plasma · 06-18-2009, 03:57 PM

^^^ I hear it all the time. Last time I checked best buy does not have teleportation machines

daleb · 06-18-2009, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cle. Plasma

^^^ I hear it all the time. Last time I checked best buy does not have teleportation machines

Hey, you could be the first!!! Might have to consult 'Scotty' for a plan...

Cle. Plasma · 06-20-2009, 01:15 AM

I wish I could invent this devise. No more TV sales for me, lol. ( actually I love my business, job )

06-14-2009, 07:09 PM	#2
iserum High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 1,954	there are pros and cons to buy online are, the only pro is lower price. Now the cons, almost impossible to return if they are not defective, if you don't like performance either you have to live with it or if authorized for return you have to ship at your own expense which could be expensive including insurance, when TVs were 2 to 3K range the saving were significant online, now prices with in $1200 (most tv 46 inches or 50 inch plasmas)the saving are not that significant online. At this point it is not worth buying online. Local store will exchange TVs for even one dead pixel or even you don't like performance. Costco online purchases could be return at stores. __________________ Panasonic 50PX80U/Pioneer BDP-51FD /Toshiba HD A1/Tivo HD SAMSUNG LNT-4661F/ Pioneer BDP-51FD/Dell XPS, Nvidia 9500 GT SONY BRAVIA 40V2500/40 GB PS3, WII, Intel Core 2 Duo with Nvidia 6800 Yamaha RXV1700 Def. Tech. Mythos III, V & Gems, Super Cube III Harmony Remote One Power Conditioner: Belkin PF40

06-14-2009, 08:14 PM	#3
daleb High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Clovis, CA Posts: 7,296	'Returns' is the key issue. Beyond that there are some excellent dealers online. What does not pay, is going online to save money with a reputable company and then switch to a questionable source just to save a few more bucks. __________________ Samsung PN50A650 plasma, Arcam AVR350, Dali Ikon6 (Vokal2&OnWalls), Outlaw Audio LFM-1EX sub, Anti-Mode 8033B, Oppo Digital BDP-83, Polk XM Tuner, Furman Elite power conditioner

06-15-2009, 07:11 AM	#4
jmcohen23 He who hesitates is lost Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 310	I completely agree with iserum and daleb. I have purchased online (from ebay in fact), and I would recommend it, so long as you are willing understand the risks involved. buying online is only riskier if you buy from a non-retail store. you can buy from best buy online, and then return the product to one of their retail store. returning an item to a non-retail store could be problematic (I have yet to experience this with a tv, and I hope I don't have to). but you will have to determine if the savings is worth the risk to you. for me, it was worth $250 (or 33% of the cost). if you are going to buy online from a non-retail store, do your research and check for reviews on the seller to determine their reputation. good luck. __________________ "A nickle just ain't worth a dime anymore." -- Yogi Berra

06-15-2009, 12:53 PM	#6
daleb High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Clovis, CA Posts: 7,296	The tax thing is certainly an issue, and could be a very hotly debated one...so I will not start anything I can't finish. But I have found better customer service at the better online stores than at some local retailers. Shopping online does not have to be a negative experience. Whatever you do, online or not, being educated on your product is rule #1. __________________ Samsung PN50A650 plasma, Arcam AVR350, Dali Ikon6 (Vokal2&OnWalls), Outlaw Audio LFM-1EX sub, Anti-Mode 8033B, Oppo Digital BDP-83, Polk XM Tuner, Furman Elite power conditioner Last edited by daleb; 06-15-2009 at 12:59 PM.

06-16-2009, 06:37 PM	#8
auburnfan23 High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 31	I think buying online is a great way to go. I have had good luck in the past with Amazon.com.. __________________ Samsung LN52A650 52-Inch 1080p 120 Hz LCD TV Comparisons

06-14-2009, 04:28 PM	#1
hjf My plasma is High Def. Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 9	Buy Online vs Local Store I notice that HDTV purchase prices from online sellers are significantly less than retail stores (including a nationwide chain). I can save several hundred $ by ordering the model I'm looking at online and some sellers have free shipping. Have you purchased your HDTV online and would you recommend it?

06-15-2009, 11:18 AM	#5
numan2good High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 581	yups i also agree by them but the reason i think people preffer online buying because you save much money by not paying high taxes as you have to pay less taxes when you shop online.so this may also be the reason.and yups there is free shipping i got one of mine....and it was free shipped but it depends how early you want your order...you can change your shipping options by on the website or first have information by calling there agents..so i will preffer online buying and return is concerned i guess we read all the specifications and reviews about the certain product before buying so its not that after reading many reviews you would like to return it...but exceptions are always there...

06-17-2009, 09:33 AM	#10
Cle. Plasma WWW.CLEVELAND PLASMA.COM Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: CLEVELAND, OHIO Posts: 455	Get to know the company you are considering doing business with. -The retail stores we are talking about do not have good reviews on www.resellerratings.com even though they have a 30 day return policy or less. Internet companies do not have that type of return policy but get higher reviews ?? __________________ President: Chris Majoros WWW.ClevelandPlasma.Com

06-17-2009, 12:20 PM	#11
Cadssdac High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 33	Shopping online seems to be the easiest thing you can do when you're in a hurry to buy things. You can get items shipped to you next day or 2nd business day if you need to. One disadvantage of shopping online is the cost of shipping. However, you can often find good deals like free shipping or free shipping on orders over a certain amount. One benefit of shopping online is a wider variety of items you wouldn't be able to find in the local store. You can also take your time online rather than rush through the store like most of us do. I would look around online for different places that offer free shipping and keep track of them because you save in gas money also. __________________ Car GPS Reviews Reviews LCD TV

06-17-2009, 03:37 PM	#12
daleb High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Clovis, CA Posts: 7,296	One concern I read a lot about online retailers has to do with shipping. It goes something like this: " I can pick it up in the store, or they only have to drive it a few miles to my house. Much less risk!" How do you think they got it from the assembly plant to your dealer? Beam it up??? __________________ Samsung PN50A650 plasma, Arcam AVR350, Dali Ikon6 (Vokal2&OnWalls), Outlaw Audio LFM-1EX sub, Anti-Mode 8033B, Oppo Digital BDP-83, Polk XM Tuner, Furman Elite power conditioner

06-18-2009, 03:57 PM	#13
Cle. Plasma WWW.CLEVELAND PLASMA.COM Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: CLEVELAND, OHIO Posts: 455	^^^ I hear it all the time. Last time I checked best buy does not have teleportation machines __________________ President: Chris Majoros WWW.ClevelandPlasma.Com

06-20-2009, 01:15 AM	#15
Cle. Plasma WWW.CLEVELAND PLASMA.COM Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: CLEVELAND, OHIO Posts: 455	I wish I could invent this devise. No more TV sales for me, lol. ( actually I love my business, job ) __________________ President: Chris Majoros WWW.ClevelandPlasma.Com

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