When I was in southern Cal. there were two privately owned big screen TV shops to choose from, Paul's TV and Discount Sales Bigscreen (I worked for discount sales for a while when I was younger delivering bigscreens). They would always blow away the coporate giants like Best Buy and Circuit City on prices. Sometimes by as much as 30%.

Anything like that around here? I tried searching google and local yellow pages but just keep getting corporate retailers. I am looking for a new TV.

Thanks in advance..

 

Actually its wierd im in the market for one as well. Ive been in contact with Brad (radzio) he knows a lot about this kinda stuff, if you have any questions im sure he'd be more then happy to help ya out.

 

I haven't checked in a couple of years...but historically I've had real good pricing on electronics (TVs, Sound Systems, etc.) from ABT.

Just my 2 cents though....

-Justin

 

me too. i'm in annarbor and i'm eyeing the sony xbr 60" grand wega lcd or highend samsung dlp.. circuity shitty_& bestbuy blow..

 

Are you set on a plasma?

Have you considered a DLP? While image quality might not be as good (it is very close), it will last you a lot longer than the plasma...


As far as buying...I would look around for what you want in a retail store (best buy, circuit city, atb) and eventually buy from a highly rated online store.

 

plasma lifetime is around 30000h working hours, for regular user thats about 20-25 years, Simon thats longer then You've been on planet earth j/k,
anyways older plasmas didnt last as long as new ones, it was 6-7 years for older ones.
DLP are good but a lot of them are bad for video games, coz they have a lag, and on top of that U have to change a lamp every 5-8k working hours.
LCD projections still have a lamp, but in for example Sony we655 or xs955 model offer very bright picture with very very good color managment.
Now there is also something called LCOS (phillips name) and DILA (JVCs name) they use 3 DLP chips and sort of lcd screen, that technology is good but still very new so its not perfected yet.
IMO best TV on a market are regular non-projection LCDs, like sharp aquos, they come in pretty good sizes(up to 45") and offer better detail then plasma, non-reflective screen, no burn in issues and resolutions up tp 1920x1024.
thats my .02 cents.
Brad

 

Shawn -

when I moved here i got all my electronics from a place called Grants Electronics. They have about 4 outlets in the Chicagoland area - but I went to the one in Schaumburg - its on Higgins, just past Golf Rd.

FYI - I got a 51" Sony, and I managed to get if for about $600 less than BB or CShitty were selling it for.

Cant remember the sales guys name - short fat guy - think he was the manager.

 

Definitely try hitting up Radzio for a Best Buy discount or head over to ABT Electronics. ABT is in Northbrook/Glenview area off of 294 next to/near AON.

ABT Electronics is a LARGE electronics store where you can find what you need, they'll answer all your questions, and not try to up-sell you anything. They are great in the way of giving you information you're looking for in layman's terms without high pressure used car sales-men tactics.

They also allow for room on negotiating prices on high-ticket items. Their delivery service in IL is AWESOME in terms of available delivery times and friendly delivery staff.

 

I'd like to second the ABT Electronics suggestion. They have by far beat any price on electronics for me in the past 5 years.

What I would do is call them up and speak to a salesman about a particular TV you're interested in and ask for the lowest price possible. Then, write it down with the salesman's name and bring it with you to the store and speak with another salesman and tell him what you have been offered. Ask him if he can do better etc...and I guarantee you'll get a great price.

In terms of what TV to get...depending on your budget, I'd get a Panasonic plasma set. They have the best bang for the buck in this market by far. DLP and LCD Projection both have a way to go in my mind in terms of overall picture quality because they are still in the infant stages.

Brad's suggestion of non projection LCD is a good one, but keep in mind this is the most expensive. Nonetheless, these are great sets.

 

Good advice everyone. I'm not dead set on plasma, or flat panel even. I want to replace a 55 inch Mitsubishi projection TV. Its about 8 years old and the technology is starting to show its age.

I'd like to go 55 inch or bigger. The cinema aspect on a newer TV is what I am really after.

I know alot about Plasma, but not DLP or LCD.

I will be using it for TV, DVD and Gaming. Oh and it must be HDTV ready.