I have been looking at buying a new LCD HD TV and have noticed several online companies offering the same model for $200-$400 less than I've seen them in the store. I am sure you'll have to pay shipping but it would still have to be cheaper.
Would there be any major disadvantages to buying it online vs in the store? The only one I could think of is returning it if something goes wrong.
Second Question: Sony or Sharp? Sony does have a better picture, but I don't know if it is $1,000 better.
Posts: 555 | Registered: Jun 2005
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Shipping is by truck freight, and usually runs about $200. If that makes it a wash, it's definitely not worth ordering online. You need to include shipping, taxes, and all necessary accessories in your total price to get a good idea of exactly how much you're saving.
Do you have to pay sales tax if you order online? I don't, which means the tax for a local TV cancels out the shipping for an internet TV, so I just look at total price, service, and warranty.
Posts: 5462 | Registered: Apr 2005
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How much would it cost for shipping? What if it needs repairs? Would you have to ship it back?
Posts: 4569 | Registered: Dec 2003
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My theory is that comparisons only mean so much. Once you have it in the house, you probably won't be thinking how much better the other one is, as long as the one you get is better than what you currently have. If that makes any sense.
Long story short, if they're similar, I always let price break the tie. Sony and Sharp are both reputable.
Posts: 5462 | Registered: Apr 2005
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On the online thing, check to make sure they are an authorized dealer. If not, you may have trouble getting the warranty honored.
Also, if you go to a store to view the TV, give them a chance to match the offer - taking shipping into account. They may do it. Plus, it's a little nicer than just using them as a show room when they have no chance to make a sale.
Posts: 26071 | Registered: Oct 2003
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Where would you be buying it from online? Is it a reputable company?
As long as they both have the features you want I can't see why you wouldn't order online, providing the place you want to order from is reputable.
Just make sure you look for hidden charges....Some plasma (I don't know aout LCD's though) tv's need to be installed my the company in order to not void the warrentee...my aunt found that out too late. Posts: 15082 | Registered: Jul 2001
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I had never heard of any of the cheaper companies online. They try to get tricky, like "Best Buy Plasma", not "Best Buy". Seemed to be several Camera companies selling TV's.
Posts: 555 | Registered: Jun 2005
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quote:Originally posted by SC Carver: I had never heard of any of the cheaper companies online. They try to get tricky, like "Best Buy Plasma", not "Best Buy". Seemed to be several Camera companies selling TV's.
I would not go with a company I had never heard of. If you can find it cheaper on amazon, go for it. But to many of the smaller websites are scams. At the very least, reserch them on google (type the name of the company +scam). Even if that doesn't turn anything up, I'd still be nervous about buying online from an unknown.
Posts: 1901 | Registered: May 2004
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Some differences right off the bat: The BraviaXBR has a pixel response time that's twice as fast as the Aquos; which means that fast action and fast camera movement is more likely to be tracer-blurred on the Aquos. The BraviaXBR has a 1300to1 contrast resolution while the Aquos has a 800to1 contrast resolution; ie the BraviaXBR has darker darks and brighter brights, and more gradations between them than the Aquos. The BraviaXBR can interpolate the "missing" pixels from normalTV signals into nearHDTVquality video while the Aquos will present a normalTVquality video from a normalTV signal; ie the BraviaXBR offers a nearHDTV experience far more often than the Aquos. The BraviaXBR presents a color spectrum which is 90%+ of the NTSC standard while the Aquos' palette is only 80%+. The BraviaXBR automaticly adjusts to the room's ambient light.
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