sr4dt

I am considering to get Philips 42TA648BX 42-inch 1080p Flat LCD HDTV which is usually sold at $1000 or more for $800. But the piece is a floor sample. so probably has 750 - 1000 hours of screen time already. Do you think that the $200 discount is worth overlooking that much of usage time. Should I even look at a floor sample or an open box item.

The price drop is helping me go from 37" to 40" set. So obviously I am interested, however this being my first LCD TV purchase, I am freaking clueless

Opinions please!!!

JediMindTricks

i wouldn't. but maybe that's just me. i'd want one out of a box instead of one that's been turned on for who knows how long and been touched and changed by random people.

:ibmovetohometheater:

wrestrepo

would you buy a used one ever? if you would, buy the floor sample...How much life is it chewing away? I don't think that much...by the time it dies, you would have another TV anyways...

TeknoKing

if the open box will still be covered by some warranty then yes.... if not...spend the $200 and get a peace of mind.

The Dougler

iTrader: (1)

NOPE. and buy a Sammy.

Trackruner228

iTrader: (1)

I personally wouldnt. I mean they had to have returned it for a reason?

Berner

I bought a open box 56in samsung dlp. The only thing it did not have was a remote. It had a brand new bulb and still was under the factory warranty. I saved about $600 so it was worth it.

AdamNJ

I never buy floor samples :moneybags:

would you buy a condom after someone else rolled it onto their dick before selling it leaving it so you to use it until the "end of it's life"?

pai_gow

I have had 2 friends buy 2 floor model TV's. One bought a Pioneer 42" plasma 2 years ago and it is still going strong. The other just picked up a 65" Panasonic plasma and came with full warranty.

If the price is right and it is covered by warranty, why not?

Sarlacc

Some snobs up in here.

Most open items have a 30 days return and a year warranty.

I bought my sammy LCD well over a year ago open box. got over a 1g off the price. It still looks brand new and works great.

wackjum

I don't typically comment on analogies, but this one is too ridiculous to pass up.

I suppose you don't date girls that have ever had other boyfriends either?

To the OP: I buy floor samples and demo products all the time. They still have the manufacturer's warranty and they usually get a store warranty as Sarlacc said.

Sly Raskal

iTrader: (1)

Depends on what it was, but for the most part, nope.

agean

I see nothing wrong with a floor model, but not for that small of a savings. I'd want at least 30 - 40% off to make it worthwhile.

Remember, floor model prices are always negotiable. Got a nice grill for my friends house for 75% off because it was the floor model and missing one knob. Ordered a replacement from the company for a few bucks.

sho_nuff1997

iTrader: (2)

I've purchased many electronic open box items, never a TV though. That's not to say I wouldn't. If there was something wrong with, it gets fixed.

dallison

i would ask for more off. i would try to get it for $150 less

johnnysquire

I wouldn't worry. LCDs usually have an MTBF of 20K hours or more so there's plenty of life left. I don't know if 20% is much of a deal though - I'd expect 20% for an open box return, but a floor model is going to have more wear from being groped. Try negotiating the number down, or offer $800 for the TV and the extended warranty.

Will Y.

I'd buy a floor sample electronics item if it was lightly used, came with a full warranty and had no missing parts/accessories.

I bought a floor sample laptop @ Office Depot that saved me $200+ without having to send in rebate mailers, etc. The laptop had been on display for less than a week, was in perfect shape and came with all the original packing, box and accessories.

Scottman111

Me and my brother are looking for a new Samsung LCD.

AdamNJ

Can't tell when a post is a joke unless it contains red text?

OP: have you looked online for deals from reputible places like amazon? You also may be able to avoid tax that way.

CL-Slick

iTrader: (7)

I bought 2 MTX Audio subwoofers for Circuit City and they were the floor model. Haven't had any trouble.

TL1999

no, spend the $$ for a NEW ONE

hornyleprechaun

Haven't read the responses, but I bought my 42" Samsung plasma from Frys and it was off the shelf. I got it for $700, retailed at $1199. I purchased a 3 year warranty for $150, so I'm happy with my purchase. If you are going to purchase it make sure you get a warranty, otherwise it doesn't seem like a good deal.

wackjum

Well that's why the red text convention exists.

EuRTSX

If it's working, then I'd buy it.

Nothing wrong with Floor Sample/Open Box Items.

subinf

I bought a display table. Saved a shit ton. I'd even consider electronics.

1Louder

I would not buy a floor-model TV. Not because the time is a big deal, but it's been handled by who knows. Maybe junior stabbed the power button 20 times last week. And I'm sure that 18 year old minimum wage summer employee handled it the way I would getting it out of the box and on to the shelf.

We're up to 4 LCDs now in the house (37, 32, 32, 19). I found this site very helpful.

http://www.lcdtvbuyingguide.com/

I'm probably happiest with the Samsung. This is the one I got:

http://www.lcdtvbuyingguide.com/lcdt...h-review.shtml

doopstr

If it looks okay, comes with factory warrantee, and the deal is right, go for it.
See if you can get them to toss in extra warrantee for free.

Costco

Here's something most people don't know. Especially on older models, open box items are somewhat considered liabilities for retailers. They're willing to drop down the price, and usually moreso if you buy other stuff too (cables, TV stands/wall mounts/etc) Doesn't mean you should tack on a bunch of stuff you THINK you need, just advice. Usually the salesperson/manager will be hesitant/annoyed, but

and honestly I'd prefer a floor sample over something someone brought home, most of the time. Also, for some electronics items, there's a restocking fee, which can range anywhere from 10-20% of the original cost if you want to return it. At least with Circuit City, you can return the item within the specified limit, even if you're unsatisfied... with NO restocking fee.

I used to be a salesperson at Circuit City, though I've found the same to be true for Fry's and I don't see why it wouldn't be at Best Buy, Office Depot and the rest.


If you've done your research, you've gotta have it/can't get it anywhere else, and the price is better than even online by quite a bit, I would go for it. Especially when it comes to furniture like tables... why would you pass up a floor sample?

sr4dt

Well guys went there on Saturday and some one else had already taken the set... I will be on the look out ... Now we are thinking maybe wait till the Thanksgiving sale and then pickup an item.. Got me eyes on a Phillips 42PFL7403D model.. $1799 at best buy, but $1079 at Sam's club !!!! May be I can get best buy to do the 110% price match thingy !!

Black CL-S 4-Life

I have the same TV and I got it from Sams back in May and I paid $1300 for it back then if I could have waited I could have saved big $$$$. BTW the TV is great you'll love it.

yunginTL

i used to work at circuit city, and i've purchased all my tvs open box because the deals I got on those are fuckin ridiculous; but the only thing is don't buy if its a service tv thats been fixed due to problems DONT because those are the ones that are normally mis-handled. If its a customer return, there's nothing wrong with it, I buy, especially if its a tv hiding in the back of the store or something that not many customers can see. That's how i found my xbr2 a few months ago for $700!! Then again i had the help of a manager, who kept an eye out for me. =]

But if you do buy open box, always talk them down on the price, or say ur gonna buy the warranty and return that shit the next week and for tvs like sony, always buy warranty thru the manufacturer rather than the brick and mortar store because teh price difference is fuckin ridiculous

bz268

I will not buy open-box for expansive stuff. If I want to buy but I don't have enough money, I will either save enough money or wait for the no-payment-no-interest deal.