I am about to get the Panny 50PX500, and I am finding that the cost difference from the local B&M Tweeter and the internet sources online is about $1000 to $1500 LESS! I would like to get it local (30 day return, etc)....BUT, the price difference is just too great.
So.....I guess I will go with ordering online, which I do all the time for many items, but is pretty scary with this expensive and fragile item, with no option to return within 30 days.
I pull up the online price charts, and dozens of vendors come up....but which one is the best? None of the AVS sponsered plasma vendors appear to have the 50PX500 (I have yet to call them). The price span ranges of all these vendors is hundreds of dollars, but I would be willing to pay extra for any perceived advantages (like not getting ripped off, customer service if problems, etc).
I know many of you have bought online.....Any advice on:
- who is a good place to do business with to buy plasmas on the internet?
- what should I look for when the shipper delivers the box? I know, look for obvious box damage (and possibly refuse it)....but is it possible for the driver to wait for it to be unboxed to make sure the screen is not cracked or other high stress damage? Is it prudent to plug it to see if it even comes on (or is that asking too much for the driver to wait)? And is the driver going to rebox the DOA plasma then take it back (ie: refuse shipment)?
- what can I expect if there are problems (DOA, something wrong found out later, etc)....do any of them help you out better than others, OR do I just go direct to Panasonic for warranty service?
- if I do call Panasonic for warranty service, I assume they come out to the house to repair, OR am I expected to bring it to a service center (I live near Houston)?
I know....a lot of questions, but I know many of you have already traveled this road. Thanks for your help.
Bruce
So.....I guess I will go with ordering online, which I do all the time for many items, but is pretty scary with this expensive and fragile item, with no option to return within 30 days.
I pull up the online price charts, and dozens of vendors come up....but which one is the best? None of the AVS sponsered plasma vendors appear to have the 50PX500 (I have yet to call them). The price span ranges of all these vendors is hundreds of dollars, but I would be willing to pay extra for any perceived advantages (like not getting ripped off, customer service if problems, etc).
I know many of you have bought online.....Any advice on:
- who is a good place to do business with to buy plasmas on the internet?
- what should I look for when the shipper delivers the box? I know, look for obvious box damage (and possibly refuse it)....but is it possible for the driver to wait for it to be unboxed to make sure the screen is not cracked or other high stress damage? Is it prudent to plug it to see if it even comes on (or is that asking too much for the driver to wait)? And is the driver going to rebox the DOA plasma then take it back (ie: refuse shipment)?
- what can I expect if there are problems (DOA, something wrong found out later, etc)....do any of them help you out better than others, OR do I just go direct to Panasonic for warranty service?
- if I do call Panasonic for warranty service, I assume they come out to the house to repair, OR am I expected to bring it to a service center (I live near Houston)?
I know....a lot of questions, but I know many of you have already traveled this road. Thanks for your help.
Bruce