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Hard time deciding which Panny to get.

post #1 of 17
10/7/10 at 4:09pm
Thread Starter 
Hello everyone i am new to the forum and already have seen that there is an abundance of useful information here. That is why i am sure you guys will be able to help me in making a decision.

I am stuck between two purchases right now.

1. Panny tc-p42g25

and

2. Panny tc-p50g25

Obviously the larger screen would be my choice however my budget is restricted. I can get the 42" brand new from amazon within my budget, however amazon offers the 50" as an open box item at the same price as the new 42".

I am debating if i should go with the open box as it 1. is larger, 2. is within my budget, and 3. the manufacture warranty is still valid, and an extended 2yr warranty is available on the open box item.(I would also purchase the 2yr warranty for the 42" if i get that one.)

Anyone have tv purchasing experience with open box items from amazon, or can provide me with some much needed advise?

Thanks in advance.
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post #2 of 17
10/7/10 at 6:30pm
I would not buy an open box TV from Amazon or any other online seller. You don't know the reason why it is open box - could be defective, previously repaired, damaged, burned-in, scratched, cracked, puked on, etc etc etc. The G25 is a great TV with great picture quality so if it was returned, it could have been because of an issue or problem. I would only buy an open box item from a local store with a 30 day no-questions-asked return policy, and only if the price was about half of what a new unit would cost. Actually i wouldn't buy an open box plasma at all now that i think of it . . . .
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post #3 of 17
10/7/10 at 6:52pm
I'm not bothered by the open box if I can see the TV before purchase. The sets still have the same 1yr warranty as a new one. I do expect a good discount (25% or more) off of regular price.

I'd really try for a 50" even if it means the 50S2 for the same price as the 42G25.
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post #4 of 17
10/7/10 at 10:00pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for your replies. I am nervous about the open box as well but i figured as long as it has the warranty should any problem arise it can be fixed. Also amazon has white glove delivery service with the open box item. The shipper unboxes and hooks up the tv to make sure the tv functions properly if not you can refuse delivery. This kinda puts me a little at ease.
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post #5 of 17
10/15/10 at 1:25pm
Thread Starter 
Just an Update. Nervously i ended up ordering the used 50" from Amazon Warehouse deals, and well i couldn't be happier. The first set was sent to me in non manufacture packaging. However, this set arrived with a cracked screen So i refused deliver and called Amazon. They were really good about getting my refund, three days later money was in my acct. I then reordered another used set. The second set was perfect. despite it being listed as used i am almost positive this set is new. It came in the original Panasonic box. All the plastic wrap was on the tv and the stand. The user manual was still in it's sealed bag. The remote was sealed and the batteries unopened. There are no signs of the "minor cosmetic damage" stated in the Amazon description. All and all i was afraid to order from Warehouse Deals but it turned out to be great, as a bonus i was able to get an extended "open box" warranty that begins after the manufacture's warranty for only 45 bucks. Now all i have to worry about is breaking in the tv and enjoying the excellent picture.
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post #6 of 17
10/15/10 at 2:20pm
Glad you got a new TV for a "open box" price
When you 1st turned on the new set did it go straight to the setup menu?
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post #7 of 17
10/15/10 at 5:35pm
If you have a Frys around you, check them out.

I haven't seen this first hand, but apparently they have the 50" S2 on sale for $649 right now in store.
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post #8 of 17
10/16/10 at 1:25am
Thread Starter 
Servicetech, yes it did. As soon as i turned on the set i was prompted to set up menu automatically. Does this confirm it was new? I also had to do an firmware update for VieraCast. Just quick question i have read many different threads about break in, and have heard everything from not doing anything, running break in slides/dvds, and just watching the tv cautiously. ie no black bars, watching fullscreen, and watching out for static images such as logos and game huds. As for me i think i am just going to cautiously watch the tv normally in fullscreen, and be careful about static images would that be sufficient for break in period?
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post #9 of 17
10/16/10 at 6:42am
I think so. I just used my TV like my old RPTV, never had any burn-in on it either. As the set ages I've become more tolerant of not stretching 4:3 content.
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post #10 of 17
10/16/10 at 8:58am
You can go into the service menu and check how many hours the tv has been used. Im not sure on that particualar set how you get in there to check the hours. Maybe some one who nows on avs forum can tell you.
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post #11 of 17
10/16/10 at 6:39pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by DabidDaBird View Post

Just an Update. Nervously i ended up ordering the used 50" from Amazon Warehouse deals, and well i couldn't be happier. The first set was sent to me in non manufacture packaging. However, this set arrived with a cracked screen So i refused deliver and called Amazon. They were really good about getting my refund, three days later money was in my acct. I then reordered another used set. The second set was perfect. despite it being listed as used i am almost positive this set is new. It came in the original Panasonic box. All the plastic wrap was on the tv and the stand. The user manual was still in it's sealed bag. The remote was sealed and the batteries unopened. There are no signs of the "minor cosmetic damage" stated in the Amazon description. All and all i was afraid to order from Warehouse Deals but it turned out to be great, as a bonus i was able to get an extended "open box" warranty that begins after the manufacture's warranty for only 45 bucks. Now all i have to worry about is breaking in the tv and enjoying the excellent picture.

I've ordered used PS3 games from Amazon Warehouse before for half the price of new and they come shrink wrapped with manuals and everything in the box looking brand new. I've often wondered if they were actually used. Ever since if there is something in Amazon Warehouse Deals for cheaper than the new product I go ahead and buy it and have not been dissapointed yet everything I've gotten is undiscernable from a brand new product.
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post #12 of 17
10/16/10 at 6:53pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the info guys. I will check and see if this set does display the hours it has been used somewhere in the menu. And yes i agree, after this purchase i am not worried about future purchases from Warehouse deals as $822 is an incredible deal for this plasma set.
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post #13 of 17
10/16/10 at 7:15pm
Thread Starter 
Alright guys. I have searched and found out how to check the hours and number of times my set has been turned on. After this i am extremely happy as it verifies that i received a new set for a open box price. When checking for the hours of use it displayed 18:23 and the times it has been powered on was 7. Which means i was the only one who has used this set as i have calculated before i checked the hours that i had approximately used the set for 19hrs. I am not sure if this happens regularly with warehouse deal items but i am truly satisfied.
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post #14 of 17
10/16/10 at 8:27pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by DabidDaBird View Post

Alright guys. I have searched and found out how to check the hours and number of times my set has been turned on. After this i am extremely happy as it verifies that i received a new set for a open box price. When checking for the hours of use it displayed 18:23 and the times it has been powered on was 7. Which means i was the only one who has used this set as i have calculated before i checked the hours that i had approximately used the set for 19hrs. I am not sure if this happens regularly with warehouse deal items but i am truly satisfied.

Unless the main board was replaced you got a new set.
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post #15 of 17
10/17/10 at 7:49am
I hate you OP!

I was dead set on the 65" S2 and now am toying with getting a warehouse deal 63"C7000 or 58"C8000.

If you don't mind me asking, what was the description amazon listed in the Availability & Comments section of your TV? Was this accurate?
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post #16 of 17
10/17/10 at 8:40pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tommyboy10 View Post

I hate you OP!

I was dead set on the 65" S2 and now am toying with getting a warehouse deal 63"C7000 or 58"C8000.

If you don't mind me asking, what was the description amazon listed in the Availability & Comments section of your TV? Was this accurate?

Can't help that i lucked out Tommy . The description said minor cosmetic damage on back, minor cosmetic damage to the tops and/or sides. And that it could come repackaged. However, I am sure what happened to me is not that common and i took a risk with my purchase. The sets you are considering are much more expensive than mine, at those prices i would rather buy a new set for such a large investment. I only spent 822 if i was going to spend what you are planning to spend i would definitely go new. But who knows maybe you can luck out too
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post #17 of 17
10/18/10 at 5:45am
In my experience I wish I had purchased the 50" over the 42". I am 11' feet away from the screen! There is a sweet deal going on right now on the 2009 z1's. They are 54" though. This may be a little too big for you. Open box? You will be protected by the warranty. AND, some credit cards will give you an extra 1 year warranty the mirrors the factory one if you use it to purchase the full price of the TV! So I would say you don't have much to worry about if you do take the chance and go for the "open box" TV.
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