Noob about to make first HDTV purchase...

Hello there, I'm very glad I finally found a forum with some HD nuts on it. Three weeks ago, I was considering a Sony KV27FV310 and when I went looking locally, I found out about the glory that is HDTV.... Anyways I am about 90% sure that I want a Panasonic CT30WX54. I've got the PS2, and just went yesterday to get the HD reciver from Time Warner here in Corpus Christi, TX.

I'll try not to be a broken record poster, since I have already read a lot and have gotten a WHOLE lot more info about the Pany. It seems like they are quit a good set for the price. I saw this set at Circuit City and checked it out against a Sony, Samsung, and a Phillips. To me, on the HD they had, the Panasonic beat them all. I found it clearer than the Sony and Samsung by far. They have it for $854+tax, and I'm wondering just how you guys go about negotiation with them. I was quite unaware that this was even possible. Reason being, is that I would like to avoid dealing with one of those online shops out of NY, because I have no idea whether theyre any good or not (feel free to include any info about your experiences), but they're definately cheap. So are they just marked up that much at CC and BB? Also, I have only found this set at CC and at no other local stores even though Walmart supposedly carries them. So how do I do it? How do I haggle with them, and how much should I be looking at saving?

Thanks for all the help. I should be pulling the trigger on Saturday.

I am very new to HDTV and am also considering the Pana CT30WX54. In fact, I reserved one on-line for store pickup but haven't yet gotten the set. I agree that the picture quality seems superior to others in the price range. I am still unsure about Panasonic's reliability and need to check to see if Consumer Reports has anything. Based on anecdotal evidence though, reliability seems to be much better than Phillips, better than Samsung and slightly below Sony. I can live with that.
The Circuit City web site shows the set at $854 however, when I went to the store last Saturday, the floor price was $819 (the reason I didn't pick the set up at that point was that the salesman insisted that I needed HDMI interface cables - $120 at CC - to hook the set up so I walked out. I have since learned that is BS, that the set is HDMI capable, that you can use the old 3-cable set up and it's you shouldn't spend any more than $20 or so on HDMI cables). Anyway, I am assuming that I will be able to get the $819 price. I have heard from several others that you can negotiate the price downward a couple of percent. I would mention to the salesman that you know that CC in PA and Delaware are offering the set for $819 and at least get him to match that. You can also mention that Walmart sells the same set (I think they call it the CT30WX10 but it is essentially identical) for $798. They'll bargain a little bit.
Good luck.
Challey

If you're serious about that model, go around to as many retailers in your area and see if you can beat it. If not, get the cheapest deal written down as an offer from that store and take it around to the other stores to see if they can beat it. I'd try being short & sweet with the salespeople.

"I have this offer from X store at X location for X model. Can you beat it?"

If they say no, turn around and walk away. Either they really can't beat it, or they're not interested in beating it - and if thats the case, don't give them your business.

Thats just the thing though, I can only find one place around here that has it... Maybe I should try San Antonio

Don't forget to check the CC web site - I bought that model and they tossed in an $81.00 Store card. Made the purchase from the 800 number and did a store pick up ....