I searched for an answer to this but I could not find one. I live in Canada and I'm looking at buying the Sony HW55ES projector and retail price in both the US and Canada is $3999.99 + tax. I can buy the same projector at 3 different online sellers through Amazon.com and the price is $3,150 and free shipping in the US. I was considering buying one via Amazon and having it shipped to an address in the US (which I am visiting this week) and even with dollar exchange rate and taxes I would have to pay when I cross the border back to Canada, I would be ahead by approximately $600.
So, what are the pros and cons to buying though an Amazon retailer? I read that there is no warranty if you buy it via an online retailer. I was looking at Crawfords Superstore specifically. I saw that AVS was selling these awhile ago but I do not see them available anymore on their site.
You want to make sure you are buying through an authorized dealer. Some of those cheaper ones on Amazon may not be authorized dealers. I think Amazon has authorized dealer as well, through another listing for a higher price. So i would focus on Authorized Dealers. This helps with warranty if your projector has a problem (as you mentioned). I believe some of the reviews complain about nonauthorized dealers in the reviews on amazon as well. Be careful!
Just my 2 cents.
also, AVScience (Mike Garrett) that posts on these forums can be an option. I personally have not shopped from them, but I think many on here have, and they can probabaly give a better price than MSRP, and you get an authorized dealer.
+1 for Mike. Support is great and I've had a few calls with him at 10:00 pm. If you ever have issues- Ebay sellers and Amazon don't care about it once they shipped.
Quote:
Originally Posted by QuickSilverShel /t/1527475/should-i-buy-a-sony-hw55-projector-at-a-retail-store-or-online#post_24609267
Hi all,
I searched for an answer to this but I could not find one. I live in Canada and I'm looking at buying the Sony HW55ES projector and retail price in both the US and Canada is $3999.99 + tax. I can buy the same projector at 3 different online sellers through Amazon.com and the price is $3,150 and free shipping in the US. I was considering buying one via Amazon and having it shipped to an address in the US (which I am visiting this week) and even with dollar exchange rate and taxes I would have to pay when I cross the border back to Canada, I would be ahead by approximately $600.
So, what are the pros and cons to buying though an Amazon retailer? I read that there is no warranty if you buy it via an online retailer. I was looking at Crawfords Superstore specifically. I saw that AVS was selling these awhile ago but I do not see them available anymore on their site.
Quote:
Originally Posted by dan30306 /t/1527475/should-i-buy-a-sony-hw55-projector-at-a-retail-store-or-online#post_24609485
+1 for Mike. Support is great and I've had a few calls with him at 10:00 pm. If you ever have issues- Ebay sellers and Amazon don't care about it once they shipped.
I would buy from AV Science (handle : AV Science Sales 5 aka Mike Garrett).
FWIW I have bought projectors from AVS before and its good to talk to people who can advice based on good knowledge....Great experience, good advice and very good follow up.
thanks for your input. I spoke with Mike at AV Science and I explored a couple of other options but by the time I factored in the exchange rate plus shipping it was about the same price for me to buy it here in Calgary, Alberta.
Just as an addition to this thread, I decided to go with the Sony HW55ES over the Epson 6030UB. I went with the Sony for a couple of reasons.
1 - The Sony has a quieter fan and this was important as the projector will be directly over my head when I am watching movies or TV.
2 - I do not intend to do any 3D videos or gaming so I felt the Sony was a better choice.
3 - I absolutely needed a black projector and the Sony fit the bill. I know I could have bought the Epson 6030UB but I couldn't find anywhere convenient to buy the dang thing so it was the Sony.
4 - The impression that the Sony had a higher standard of quality than the Epson.
Those were the main reasons that swayed me to go with Sony.
Also, I have an old universal ceiling mount I was using on my Infocus 7200 circa 2004 and I am wondering if I can use this with my new Sony projector with this universal ceiling mount or if I need something special for the Sony projector. If anyone can chime in here, it would be appreciated.
Quote:
Originally Posted by QuickSilverShel /t/1527475/should-i-buy-a-sony-hw55-projector-at-a-retail-store-or-online#post_24642207
Just as an addition to this thread ,I decided to go with the Sony HW55ES over the Epson 6030UB. The reasons I went with the Sony is for a couple of reasons.
1 - The Sony has a quieter fan and this was important as the project will be directly over my head when I mount it.
2 - I do not intend to do any 3D videos or gaming so I felt the Sony was a better choice.
3 - I absolutely needed a black projector and the Sony fit the bill. I know I could have bought the Epson 6030UB but I couldn't find anywhere convenient to buy the dang thing so it was the Sony.
4 - The impression that the Sony had a higher standard of quality than the Epson.
Those were the main reasons that swayed me to go with Sony.
Also, I have an old universal ceiling mount I was using on my Infocus 7200 circa 2004 and I am wondering if I can use this with my new Sony projector with this universal ceiling mount or if I need something special for the Sony projector. If anyone can chime in here, it would be appreciated.
Quote:
Originally Posted by QuickSilverShel /t/1527475/should-i-buy-a-sony-hw55-projector-at-a-retail-store-or-online#post_24642207
Also, I have an old universal ceiling mount I was using on my Infocus 7200 circa 2004 and I am wondering if I can use this with my new Sony projector with this universal ceiling mount or if I need something special for the Sony projector. If anyone can chime in here, it would be appreciated.
I would strongly suggest getting a ceiling mount made for the Sony 55ES. Chief is a really good brand I can recommend as it has held up my last 4 projectors. I played around with some universal mounts and actually used one on my old ACER5360 but that projector only weighed about 5 lbs. The Sony weighs ~30 lbs and you don't want your $4000 investment to fall on the cold, hard ground. Don't skimp on the mount.
Quote:
Originally Posted by billqs /t/1527475/should-i-buy-a-sony-hw55-projector-at-a-retail-store-or-online#post_24666876
I would strongly suggest getting a ceiling mount made for the Sony 55ES. Chief is a really good brand I can recommend as it has held up my last 4 projectors. I played around with some universal mounts and actually used one on my old ACER5360 but that projector only weighed about 5 lbs. The Sony weighs ~30 lbs and you don't want your $4000 investment to fall on the cold, hard ground. Don't skimp on the mount.
Will be installing my 55 this weekend, and have a question on aligning projector with screen. If I use the test pattern & put a piece of tape on both the horizontal & vertical points of the screen, then align the lines of the test pattern with them I'm good, right?..... as long as the lines aren't bowed, correct?
I've never actually had to use tape - usually a tape measure and careful measuring will work to get you very close to perfect. It's always easier and faster with a second person too.
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
AVS Forum
34M posts
1.5M members
Since 1999
A forum community dedicated to home theater owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about home audio/video, TVs, projectors, screens, receivers, speakers, projects, DIY’s, product reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more!