I'm itching to buy a KURO set while they're still available, and my local Magnolia AV offered to sell me their in-store demo unit for $1,000 under their asking price. Is there anything inherently wrong with buying a store demo? Enough wrong to offset a $1,000 discount? Any advice would be welcome. Thanks!

I'm itching to buy a KURO set while they're still available, and my local Magnolia AV offered to sell me their in-store demo unit for $1,000 under their asking price. Is there anything inherently wrong with buying a store demo? Enough wrong to offset a $1,000 discount? Any advice would be welcome. Thanks!

My BB Magnolia had a demo 111 that they would sell at 1/2 asking price. They didn't have the remote for it.

One thing about those demos is that they are broke in and you can check for pixels, image retention, buzzing etc.

If everything looks OK you should be able to pay at least 1/2 price as they dropped to that at BB at one point in time. My BB has the lowest prices for each unit in their computer so they can give you the lowest price that the unit once sold at.

If you buy it I have an extra remote, PM me.

Thanks for the feedback. So you don't think there would be any issues re: diminution of lifespan? I'm still a CRT guy, so I'm thinking through that prism.

Check out the bezel and the stand too. The ones I've seen at the store can be pretty beat up, scratched, even sticker residue, etc.

Even if it was $1000 I wouldn't take a demo model from BB. They LOVE to clean that glass. Last time I stopped by, they had a bottle of Windex beside their Pioneer 141. :( It's also been on forever. I'd recommend getting a brand new 500M instead.

Also, I don't know how much BB's "asking price" is, but if it is over $2400, you're paying too much.

I would NEVER buy a demo model of any electronic.

Even if it was $1000 I wouldn't take a demo model from BB. They LOVE to clean that glass. Last time I stopped by, they had a bottle of Windex beside their Pioneer 141. :( It's also been on forever. I'd recommend getting a brand new 500M instead.

Also, I don't know how much BB's "asking price" is, but if it is over $2400, you're paying too much.
That is a very good point. I'd be very concerned about what they used to clean the sensitive glass panel.

This actually isn't a BB. I live in Seattle, and Magnolia originated here. This is at their standalone flagship store. And their asking price is $3,800, so the demo is $2,800. I have no idea what these things are going for now.

And what's the 500M? I don't see it on Pioneer's website; qhere does that set fall quality-wise in relation to the 111FD?

And what's the 500M? I don't see it on Pioneer's website; qhere does that set fall quality-wise in relation to the 111FD?

It is a monitor only. No tuner, no stand, no speakers. But you can buy the Pioneer stand and speakers seperately if needed. It is pretty much regarded as the best plasma panel produced to this point. Mine is coming in Monday. cant wait. And can be had for much less then $2000 as well.

It is a monitor only. No tuner, no stand, no speakers. But you can buy the Pioneer stand and speakers seperately if needed. It is pretty much regarded as the best plasma panel produced to this point. Mine is coming in Monday. cant wait. And can be had for much less then $2000 as well.

Thanks for the info; I'd prefer to have a monitor over a TV anyway. I wonder why it's not on Pioneer's web site. Was it released after the 101FD and the 111FD?

Thanks for the info; I'd prefer to have a monitor over a TV anyway. I wonder why it's not on Pioneer's web site. Was it released after the 101FD and the 111FD?

It's on the site, but you have to use the search box to find it:

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Products/HomeEntertainment/PlasmaTVs+Monitors/Other/ci.KRP-500M.Kuro

Thanks so much. It's so difficult to figure out which set to buy if one doesn't have hours of time to peruse the 100-page-long threads. But the 500M sounds like a winner to me; from what I've read, the difference between it and the 111FD, if any exists, is highly marginal.

Thanks so much. It's so difficult to figure out which set to buy if one doesn't have hours of time to peruse the 100-page-long threads. But the 500M sounds like a winner to me; from what I've read, the difference between it and the 111FD, if any exists, is highly marginal.

In terms of picture quality, the 500M is actually a little better, as like the 101 Elite Monitor it has some next-generation technology that didn't make it into the regular Elite line that produces slightly deeper blacks. The advantages of the 111 are an internal tuner, speakers, 4 HDMI inputs (versus 2 on the 500M) and an included stand - it's perfect for someone who just wants a standalone TV. But if you already have or are planning to get a home theater system, then the 500M is the way to go, without doubt.

If anyone could PM and let me know where the picked one of these up, I'd be appreciative. I've found some online retailers for well under $2,000, but some of the feedback scares me. I'd love to know a reliable place to snag one for under $2k.

Any 111's still available? A few online electronics places claim to have them, but I'm a little leary of them.

This actually isn't a BB. I live in Seattle, and Magnolia originated here. This is at their standalone flagship store. And their asking price is $3,800, so the demo is $2,800. I have no idea what these things are going for now.

I paid $2378 (excluding tax) for my 111FD at BB Magnolia, and it was NEW. That deal they are offering you is awful. And since you don't need speakers, the 500M is definitely for you.

I paid $2378 (excluding tax) for my 111FD at BB Magnolia, and it was NEW. That deal they are offering you is awful. And since you don't need speakers, the 500M is definitely for you.
get the ext'd warranty!!!!

Pulled the trigger and ordered a 500M this morning from Value Electronics. I ordered with complete calibrated package by D-Nice. I'm not the type that likes to futz with settings and such, so I'd prefer to simply have the thing delivered with the best image possible out of the box. Can't wait.