Best Time to Buy TVs this Year...

kevhed72

So, the holiday shopping season is just around the corner...question:
When is the best time to buy a large screen TV...ie best price? And a side note - I have no problems haggling on price, and no hesitation buying on-line. Is the best time black friday, the day after X-Mas, after the New Year?

jflail2

I'd think Black Friday if you really scour the sales papers and know what you want and where you want it from. That being said, I'm not getting up at 4AM to go fight 1,000 other people for 1 of 4 TVs on sale at store X during Black Friday.

I'd wonder if the week/weekend of the Super Bowl might be a good time to look for a deal as well. I recall seeing "go buy a giant HDTV for the Super Bowl" ads the last few years.

I'm always hesitant to buy online, b/c if you have dead pixels or other issues, it can be more difficult (and time consuming) to get an exchange.

I'd be very aware of exactly what the return policy is for where ever you buy the TV from. Some places, especially online, seem to have a minimum dead pixel policy before a return is allowed.

exalted512

I'm in the same boat. The wife and I just assumed Black Friday, but as the days get closer, we're going to be looking more into this. I think the fact is they're all good times to buy, and which is a 'better' time to buy is ultimately up to how much money retailers made on black friday. If they didnt make enough, they might have better sales closer to christmas and such.

Definitely interested in this thread though.
-Cody

Joe08867

Bought my Plasma just before the Superbowl and saved huge money on my model. Originally 2,400 got it for 1,400. And it had just come out.

You need to watch the big sale weekends. Black Friday, Presidents Day and around the Superbowl.

thuffman03

kevhed72 wrote: »

So, the holiday shopping season is just around the corner...question:
When is the best time to buy a large screen TV...ie best price? And a side note - I have no problems haggling on price, and no hesitation buying on-line. Is the best time black friday, the day after X-Mas, after the New Year?

it is not even the end of summer and you are talking about Christmas....:mad:

tommyboy

exalted512 wrote: »

I'm in the same boat. The wife and I just assumed Black Friday, but as the days get closer, we're going to be looking more into this. I think the fact is they're all good times to buy, and which is a 'better' time to buy is ultimately up to how much money retailers made on black friday. If they didnt make enough, they might have better sales closer to christmas and such.

Definitely interested in this thread though.
-Cody

Black friday is more for getting the cheapest tv possible (meaning you won't get good deals on sony, panasonic, etc). From what I can remember from working at CC, the week before the super bowl was usually the best deals. I could be wrong though

WilliamM2

No matter when you buy, there will be better sets for less money 6 months later. Just strike the best deal you can now.

kevhed72

exalted512 wrote: »

I'm in the same boat. The wife and I just assumed Black Friday, but as the days get closer, we're going to be looking more into this. I think the fact is they're all good times to buy, and which is a 'better' time to buy is ultimately up to how much money retailers made on black friday. If they didnt make enough, they might have better sales closer to christmas and such.

Definitely interested in this thread though.
-Cody

What models are you looking at? I have been researching our next TV purchase for some time now. If I would swing a 60" Pioneer, I would do it, but these so rare people are price-gouging on them. I have decided on a 58" Panasonic V10, which is the 2009 model...

kevhed72

jflail2 wrote: »

I'm always hesitant to buy online, b/c if you have dead pixels or other issues, it can be more difficult (and time consuming) to get an exchange.

I'd be very aware of exactly what the return policy is for where ever you buy the TV from. Some places, especially online, seem to have a minimum dead pixel policy before a return is allowed.

Good info to know...I didnt know some places would get this picky over returns.
I do have a HHGregg by me, which does haggle on price.

ViperZ

If you don't mind buying a returned TV, probably a week after super bowl is the best. People buy TVs just to watch super bowl and then just return them.

Joe08867

kevhed72 wrote: »

What models are you looking at? I have been researching our next TV purchase for some time now. If I would swing a 60" Pioneer, I would do it, but these so rare people are price-gouging on them. I have decided on a 58" Panasonic V10, which is the 2009 model...

IMHO, for the Money Panasonic is one of the best out there. Pioneer's are amazing but the price is ridiculous. I know a couple of people now that have Vizio's and love them. And to tell the truth they look real good especially for the price.

Joe08867

ViperZ wrote: »

If you don't mind buying a returned TV, probably a week after super bowl is the best. People buy TVs just to watch super bowl and then just return them.

I wish I had thought of that.:( Man that is funny!:D

bigaudiofanatic

BF is a great time just keep your eye on prices some make you think it is a good deal. I got my 40 inch dynex tv 108-p for 650 and I love it after fooling around with the settings for 4 days I finally got it looking like a tv for double the price.

My father this year is finally getting rid of our 50 rear projection non dlp sony tv and going with a 60 inch led tv and buying a 900 dollar stand fo for it. I told him if he is doing all that he better buy a BR player and surround sound.

ViperZ

Joe08867 wrote: »

IMHO, for the Money Panasonic is one of the best out there. Pioneer's are amazing but the price is ridiculous. I know a couple of people now that have Vizio's and love them. And to tell the truth they look real good especially for the price.

Pioneers are no longer made. Kuro technology was sold to Panasonic, so 2010 Panny line-up has Kuro-based electronics in it (I think they call it 'deep black' or something).

fatchowmein

ViperZ wrote: »

Pioneers are no longer made. Kuro technology was sold to Panasonic, so 2010 Panny line-up has Kuro-based electronics in it (I think they call it 'deep black' or something).

"Infinite Black" but according to Home Theatre magazine, it's not true Kuro black. Whereas the Kuro measured 0.001 foot-lamberts (fL), the latest Panasonic TC-P50VT25 plasma 3D HDTV comes in at 0.004 (the lower the better). The LG Infinia 47LE8500 LCD comes in at 0.002.

http://www.swamicandela.com/Footlamberts.htm


I had the fortune/misfortune to stand in front of a $10,000 Kuro some years ago and the image produced of a scene outdoors at night looked lifelike and 3D without the stupid glasses. I stared for an hour like a moth to a flame. lol

PhantomOG

when I bought a tv a few years ago, I bought it at Best Buy on black friday. The TV I wanted was actually on sale cheaper at Circuit City, however, Best Buy pricematches advertised prices of competitors. And then Best Buy has a 90 day price guarantee, so twice I went in with Fry's ads and got cash back, with the lowest price coming just before the Super Bowl. So buy on Black Friday.... AND price match pre Super Bowl price.

exalted512

kevhed72 wrote: »

What models are you looking at? I have been researching our next TV purchase for some time now. If I would swing a 60" Pioneer, I would do it, but these so rare people are price-gouging on them. I have decided on a 58" Panasonic V10, which is the 2009 model...

I go through TV's like some people on this forum go through underwear...which is about every 5 years or until it breaks. The TV I have now is a 46" Panasonic...and I **** you not, in turned 20 years old this month. I bought it for like $50 5 years ago. Given that track record, my next TV will be kept until its broken. So we were wanting to get a 3D tv so there will be no reason to upgrade until that one breaks.

We were looking at this one:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Samsung+-+55%22+Class+/+1080p+/+240Hz+/+3D+LED-LCD+HDTV/9798538.p?id=1218176210288&skuId=9798538

PhantomOG wrote: »

when I bought a tv a few years ago, I bought it at Best Buy on black friday. The TV I wanted was actually on sale cheaper at Circuit City, however, Best Buy pricematches advertised prices of competitors. And then Best Buy has a 90 day price guarantee, so twice I went in with Fry's ads and got cash back, with the lowest price coming just before the Super Bowl. So buy on Black Friday.... AND price match pre Super Bowl price.

Best idea yet. That will probably be what we end up doing!
-Cody


EDIT: Doesnt opening a Best Buy card also give you a discount? We're going to be forking over quite a bit of cash between the TV, probably a PS3 if it will do 3D well, plus the glasses for 3-D and of course a couple of movies! So I'm wanting to get the best deal possible.

I keep waiting for the PS3 to show up on woot.com but not yet

PhantomOG

I don't think Best Buy card gives you a discount, however, you will get interest free financing for 18 to 24 months or so, depending on the current promotion at the time. If you do make the purchase from Best Buy, be sure to sign up for the Rewards Zone thingy and get points for the large purchase. It should be worth at least a free game or couple of blu-rays. I bought both a washing machine and the tv at Best Buy and both times I forgot to sign up.

hockeyboy

I just bought a Panasonic TCP50G25. Just waiting on delivery. I felt like a pretty good deal at $950 delivered. I follow a pretty similiar formula for a lot purchases. First, I research what I want and get the model down, then I look on this site for the item.

http://bountii.com/product-6183-panasonic-viera-tc-p50g25-50.html?gclid=CIXM9LSD36MCFZsM2godTSu8Sg

Once I find the two lowest prices I do a search for "XXXX (enter retailer name) coupon discount codes". It usually brings up a site like this. I try those codes and knock off a bit more usually.

http://www.tjoos.com/Coupon/7982/Electronic-Warehouse

kevhed72

The G25 series are supposed to be pretty sweet...up there with the VT25 minus the 3d gimmick. Curious as to your impressions after it arrives.
Are you planning on buying one of those pixel break-in DVDs prior to using the new set?

hockeyboy

I don't plan on it. My understanding is that the new Panny's already have a setup you go through the first time you turn it on to choose store or home. I will be careful though to run it on low for the first couple hundred hours. I will also spend some pretty good time making sure it's calibrated with video essentials. Let you guys know how I like it.