Our native mobile app has a new name: Fora Communities. Learn more.

Help a newcomer? What to look out for when buying a floor model?

1135 Views 18 Replies 7 Participants Last post by Plasmalvr60, Mar 18, 2014

KeroKeroCola

Discussion Starter · Mar 3, 2014

So I was at my local Best Buy and I wanted to buy the last Panasonic Viera ST50 model they had ($750 price tag). Turns out it was a floor model and they can't sell it to me yet (they will contact me when they can). However, I am a bit skeptical about buying a plasma floor model. Have you guys had any positive experiences (or negative) with this? What should I look out for? Do you have any other suggestions?

I'll appreciate any help I can get.

1 - 19 of 19 Posts

eric3316

· #2 · Mar 4, 2014

Quote:
Originally Posted by KeroKeroCola /t/1520827/help-a-newcomer-what-to-look-out-for-when-buying-a-floor-model#post_24434584

So I was at my local Best Buy and I wanted to buy the last Panasonic Viera ST50 model they had ($750 price tag). Turns out it was a floor model and they can't sell it to me yet (they will contact me when they can). However, I am a bit skeptical about buying a plasma floor model. Have you guys had any positive experiences (or negative) with this? What should I look out for? Do you have any other suggestions?

I'll appreciate any help I can get.

Why would they still have an ST50 as a floor model and why in the world would they not be able to sell a TV that came out in 2012?

KeroKeroCola

Discussion Starter · #3 · Mar 4, 2014

Woops, I messed that up, it's the ST60, TC-P50ST60. The reason why they claim they can't sell it is because of the dealer that supplies them or something. They said that until the new models come in, they can't sell everything or the walls will look too empty.

With that said, got any opinion on what I should do?

KOF

· #4 · Mar 4, 2014

Check out for the hours used. Also, check the TV for any IRs. Abused floor models tend to have IRs remaining. I've seen that with an LG plasma in Costco. It was only playing HBO channel and the logo was stuck all the time.

Reactions: 1

KeroKeroCola

Discussion Starter · #5 · Mar 4, 2014

What would be a decent amount of hours used that I can probably be ok with?

dsskid

· #6 · Mar 4, 2014

Also, I found quite a few floor models had the pen display, and there were fine scratches to the filter/coating. Look at it from an angle, while off, to see if the one you're looking at has it.

Reactions: 1

eric3316

· #7 · Mar 4, 2014

Quote:
Originally Posted by KOF /t/1520827/help-a-newcomer-what-to-look-out-for-when-buying-a-floor-model#post_24435922

Check out for the hours used. Also, check the TV for any IRs. Abused floor models tend to have IRs remaining. I've seen that with an LG plasma in Costco. It was only playing HBO channel and the logo was stuck all the time.

The hours used won't be a problem. Now that we are talking about an ST60 and not ST50 it can only be run as long as the TV has been out and that many hours will not effect the life of the panel.

What is important like you said is just checking for IR. I would also check the screen carefully for scratches and to see if the TV was abused while on display.

If everything looks good you might want to ask if they will sell you the TV for $649 and let them know you will buy an extended warranty from them with the $100. Best Buy's warranty is pretty good and if you can basically walk out the door with that price including an extended warranty that would nice. Might make you feel better about purchasing a floor model.

People here purchase floor models all the time and as long as the screen looks good their shouldn't be any different problems then if you were purchasing it new. As a matter of fact if the panel has been run for a little bit a lot of defects would already be showing so if everything looks good then it should be a good panel. Bring slides on a USB drive and plug it into the TV to check for IR.

See less See more

Reactions: 1

KeroKeroCola

Discussion Starter · #8 · Mar 4, 2014

I'll try to see if I can get the warranty. When you tell me to bring slides, do you know of any specific set of images I should bring? Solid colors only or anything specific?

eric3316

· #9 · Mar 4, 2014

Quote:
Originally Posted by KeroKeroCola /t/1520827/help-a-newcomer-what-to-look-out-for-when-buying-a-floor-model#post_24437473

I'll try to see if I can get the warranty. When you tell me to bring slides, do you know of any specific set of images I should bring? Solid colors only or anything specific?

You can get colored slides from the first post here:
http://www.avsforum.com/t/1466472/2013-panasonic-settings-issues-thread

KeroKeroCola

Discussion Starter · #10 · Mar 4, 2014

Thank you a lot. You've all been very helpful.

Golfdad123

· #11 · Mar 4, 2014

Quote:
Originally Posted by KeroKeroCola /t/1520827/help-a-newcomer-what-to-look-out-for-when-buying-a-floor-model#post_24434584

So I was at my local Best Buy and I wanted to buy the last Panasonic Viera ST50 model they had ($750 price tag). Turns out it was a floor model and they can't sell it to me yet (they will contact me when they can). However, I am a bit skeptical about buying a plasma floor model. Have you guys had any positive experiences (or negative) with this? What should I look out for? Do you have any other suggestions?

I'll appreciate any help I can get.

That $750 price is the clearance price in Best Buy's system for a new in the box tv but they don't have any. You should get an open box discount off of that price and depending on what's missing they can knock off more. I just bought one and the receipt shows the clearance price 250 off then the open item discount.

KeroKeroCola

Discussion Starter · #12 · Mar 4, 2014

Damn, I was not aware of that. I'll look into that as soon as they tell me I can come get it.

Also, I am aware of this TV having high input lag. Since I primarily want it for gaming, should I be worried? From what I've gathered it seems to be a software issue, is there any update/fix/cfw that I can look forward to?

KeroKeroCola

Discussion Starter · #13 · Mar 5, 2014

Update: So, I called yesterday and found out that they had sold the TV, even though the had told me they would call me as soon as it was available to sell. I'm pretty pissed about it, but I still need a new TV.

eric3316

· #14 · Mar 5, 2014

Quote:
Originally Posted by KeroKeroCola /t/1520827/help-a-newcomer-what-to-look-out-for-when-buying-a-floor-model#post_24441923

Update: So, I called yesterday and found out that they had sold the TV, even though the had told me they would call me as soon as it was available to sell. I'm pretty pissed about it, but I still need a new TV.

You should go and speak to the manager of the store and tell him your story. If he is a decent manager he should be able to offer you some deals on other items they might have.

KeroKeroCola

Discussion Starter · #15 · Mar 5, 2014

Quote:
Originally Posted by eric3316 /t/1520827/help-a-newcomer-what-to-look-out-for-when-buying-a-floor-model#post_24442052

You should go and speak to the manager of the store and tell him your story. If he is a decent manager he should be able to offer you some deals on other items they might have.

Yeah, that's what I plan on doing this weekend when I go there.

On a different note, what is the appropriate thread or forum to post in for general TV choosing help?

eric3316

· #16 · Mar 5, 2014

Quote:
Originally Posted by KeroKeroCola /t/1520827/help-a-newcomer-what-to-look-out-for-when-buying-a-floor-model#post_24442134

Yeah, that's what I plan on doing this weekend when I go there.

On a different note, what is the appropriate thread or forum to post in for general TV choosing help?

The LCD section has a thread for people to post that are looking for a TV and wanting advice. The Plasma section does not have a thread like that. You can just start a new one asking for help choosing a new TV. List your requirements, type of viewing and the type of room it will be in. Size preference and your budget.

People are always willing to help around here! Hopefully we can help you find something. I know it is frustrating to get screwed by a store like that.

KeroKeroCola

Discussion Starter · #17 · Mar 5, 2014

Thanks a lot for your help!

woody888

· #18 · Mar 10, 2014

Quote:
Originally Posted by eric3316 /t/1520827/help-a-newcomer-what-to-look-out-for-when-buying-a-floor-model#post_24442306

I know it is frustrating to get screwed by a store like that.

Get screwed by Worst Buy? No, that would never happen!

Good luck in your search Kero.

See less See more

Plasmalvr60

· #19 · Mar 18, 2014

I like Best Buy because their sales people aren't on commission.

There was a floor model that I verified was on display for only 3 weeks- the exact tv I wanted: Samsung pnF8500.

Guy was very helpful and of course they pushed the extended warranty and delivery and set up; it's implausible to believe there aren't

Financial incentives for every person who works at Best Buy for extended warranties. The check out girl tried to sell me one

On a router!

Any way, it turns out the floor model had no stand, remote, 3D glasses or manual and they would bubble wrap it

For me since they didn't have the box! Didn't need the stand now, but may need it in the future. The $500 savings diminished to zero and I'd rather give

My local guy the business. They did have a replacement remote, but not the exact one.

See less See more

1 - 19 of 19 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.