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Should I buy a Sony HW55 projector at a retail store or online?

2K views 18 replies 13 participants last post by  Craig Peer 
#1 ·

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.

 

Any advice would be appreciated.

 

Thanks.  

 

Doug
 
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#2 ·
Just a quick comment:


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.


Good luck!
 
#5 ·

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.


Any advice would be appreciated.


Thanks.  


Doug

Sent you a PM.
 
#6 ·

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.
Quote:
Originally Posted by DavidHir  /t/1527475/should-i-buy-a-sony-hw55-projector-at-a-retail-store-or-online#post_24609827


I would definitely recommend contacting Mike from AVS.

Thanks guys.
 
#8 ·
Check with Eastporters.com out of Ontario.

They quoted me much less than $3,999 and it came with 2 sets of 3D glasses and you don't get killed on the dollar exchange.
 
#11 ·

Hi all,

 

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.

 

I appreciate all the replies.

 

Thanks

 

Doug
 
#12 ·

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.

 

Thanks all.

 

Doug
 
#13 ·

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.


Thanks all.


Doug

In regards to number 2, the Sony is better overall for gaming, so if you ever decide too, you are good.
 
#16 ·

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.


Thanks all.

Doug


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.
 
#17 ·

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.

+1. Get a Chief RPA020 mount.
 
#18 ·
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?
 
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