Count on TVs Being Cheaper For the Duration

Wall Street Journal ^ | NOVEMBER 26, 2008 | Christopher Lawton

[Pontiac]

a weakening economy this holiday season, there are signs that many of the discounts will stick around through the end of the year. That means shoppers seeking a TV could have several extra weeks of lower-than-usual prices to find the right deal.

The Black Friday discounts will be even heftier, according to estimates. A 32-inch LCD TV will be discounted 54% to an estimated $399 in limited quantities on Black Friday from an average $875 in October, according to iSuppli. If those prices don't spur sales over Thanksgiving weekend, Ms. Patel says, many of the discounts will continue in December.

The price-cutting is being fueled by more than just the slow economy. Last year, some sizes of liquid-crystal-display and plasma TVs were in tight supply. Wanting to avert any shortage this holiday season, electronics manufacturers increased their output, counting in part on the February 2009 transition from analog to digital airwaves to boost TV sales. But the increase in inventory coincided with the onset of the economic slump, leaving the TV industry in a bind.

[I Drive Too Fast]

I bought a Sony XBR4 40" set in January of this year for $1999 at Amazon. Last time I looked (the price can fluctuate from day to day), I could get a 52" Sony XBR6 tv for a hair over $2400. (The price has ranged from 2400 - 2700 at Amazon and it is close to $3000 "on sale" at Best Buy plus sales tax.

I looked at the Samsung models and the screen would reflect the light and I did not like it. That was the 71 line. If I were to purchase one of those, I would get at least something in the 600 line.

IF you want to drop $19,999 you can get a Sony XBR7 "70" model.

I have also seen several Mitsubishi DLP models. EVEN with Blu Ray, the picture quality is not as good as mine and the sound on the tv's is awful.

I love my Sony tv and even using the speakers that came with the tv, the sound is good. I have my surround system downstairs hooked up to the other tv (my crappy 55" Mitsubishi rear projection which lost it's blue convergence and WILL be replaced by the 52" Sony within the next 6 months). I subscribe to Consumer Reports and sometimes their recommendations are wrong.

[I Drive Too Fast]

That top model Samsung 650 would be the model I would get if I got a Samsung. They didn't compare the XBR Sony's which should rate higher (I just looked at the issue since I subscribe). The Bravias aren't bad. Costco sells them at a decent price.

[I Drive Too Fast]

The magazine issue is December 2008.

[Pontiac]

Thanks, I don’t get the magizine although I do respect the opinions. But the technology changes so fast I always ask how resent the data is.

[Randy Larsen]

Did you hear that Brooke Burke won on “Dancing With The Stars”?

What a dancer she is!

[ConservativeMan55]

bttt

[Nowhere Man]

The problem with older stuff is that it is just so doggone reliable. We are still using our Sony Trinitron 27” XBR - must be 18 years old and had one $125 repair. Picture is still incredibly good. We recently retired our 25 year old GE microwave and the replacement unit is a piece of junk. Ditto for our old refrigerator (30 years), stove (40 years) and DW.

We have a 1982 Zenith 25 inch System 2 console made in 1982, we've been watching it everyday since early 1983. We still have and use a microwave from 1985. We have a 1994 refrigerator but as a backup, we have a Frigidare from 1938 that still works.

[Pontiac]

Actually I didn’t.

But then I don’t watch that particular program.

Thanks for asking.

[oh8eleven]

I just worry about the reliability of these units.
Buy an extended warranty when you buy the TV.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

That takes you out to 4 or 5 years max. I want products that don’t crap out when the initial or extended warranty expires. My recent experiences in the reliability area are not good at all.

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2138260/posts

BLACK FRIDAY and CYBER MONDAY!!! Freepers Go Shopping.
Various ^ | November 25, 2008 | Cindy
Posted on November 25, 2008 1:19:25 PM PST by Cindy

[DugwayDuke]

We had a Bill Heard Chevrolet dealership did the same thing. I was looking at used cars on Thursday there. Everything normal. A few days later they locked the doors.

[SunkenCiv]

I want a cheap, large, 1080p plasma, y’know, before they stop being made.

[Right Wing Assault]

What are the Samsung 40 and 42” 1080p models selling for\?

Saw a Samsung LN40A500 40" 1080p for $799 at Best Buy.

[Grampa Dave]

Thanks.

[AppyPappy]

I am limited space-wise to a 32” and I see some really good deals out there. We have a 36” tube model right now.

[Chickie Diamonds]

How come when I told you all this stuff in 1988, you told me I was wrong? That’s very unfly.