Safe to mail order plasma?

[modman]

Thanks for all the kind responses to my previous thread about the Panasonic TH-42PHD7UY. I found a dealer in a nearby city (Wilmington, NC) that stocks and sells them. However, I have two concerns about this nicely-reviewed set:

1. Has the so-called "black strobing" problem been fixed and put to rest?

2. I tend to try to order my kit locally -- not only do I get a chance to foster a relationship with a dealer (which could prove to be very fortuitous later), but I also have someone to scream at if something goes wrong. I am even willing to pay a bit more for local support. However, in the case of the TH-42PHD7UY, the best local price I can get is $3600 (which, with NC tax, will be $3850). I can get it by mail order -- from several outfits with good ratings -- for $2500 delivered! But this seems risky to me. Have any of you had good/bad experiences with ordering plasma on-line? Anyone to avoid? Anyone that can be trusted?

Nothing helps more in an A/V buying situation that the experiences of other consumers!

Thanks!

 

[Tsunamii]

I would make sure they are an Authorized dealer before ordering from any vendor online on a purchase that large.

I found this link for you to locate a local dealer it also mentions online too..

http://www2.panasonic.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/HowToBuy?storeId=15001

 

[LOUMFSG]

mail order plasma's

Thanks for all the kind responses to my previous thread about the Panasonic TH-42PHD7UY. I found a dealer in a nearby city (Wilmington, NC) that stocks and sells them. However, I have two concerns about this nicely-reviewed set:

1. Has the so-called "black strobing" problem been fixed and put to rest?

2. I tend to try to order my kit locally -- not only do I get a chance to foster a relationship with a dealer (which could prove to be very fortuitous later), but I also have someone to scream at if something goes wrong. I am even willing to pay a bit more for local support. However, in the case of the TH-42PHD7UY, the best local price I can get is $3600 (which, with NC tax, will be $3850). I can get it by mail order -- from several outfits with good ratings -- for $2500 delivered! But this seems risky to me. Have any of you had good/bad experiences with ordering plasma on-line? Anyone to avoid? Anyone that can be trusted?

Nothing helps more in an A/V buying situation that the experiences of other consumers!

Thanks!

I don't know much about [1]. As for [2], I am ordering my Panasonic plasma (I am going for the 50" 7UY) from an outfit in Washington called VisualApex. First of all, they are an Authorized Panasonic dealer, so there will be no question about the validity of the manufacturers waranty. Second, their user reviews are off-the-charts. Out of 360 reviews, 358 were positive, 0 neutral and 2 negative. Go to pricegrabber.com, search for your TV's model, and check out the reviews on VisualApex. I have never seen a dealer with that many reviews uniformly positive. I have also called and spoken to one of their reps by phone, and found him to be extremely professional and knowledgeable. They have the 42" 7UY for about $2,620 delivered, so they are very competitive on price as well. The have the 50" 7UY for about $3,670 delivered. I just did a little research about that "black strobing" problem, and it seems (based on the AVSforum thread I read) that the problem is more prevalent in the 42" than the 50".

Anyway, lot's of luck on your purchase.

 

[pikers]

I don't know much about [1]. As for [2], I am ordering my Panasonic plasma (I am going for the 50" 7UY) from an outfit in Washington called VisualApex. First of all, they are an Authorized Panasonic dealer, so there will be no question about the validity of the manufacturers waranty. Second, their user reviews are off-the-charts. Out of 360 reviews, 358 were positive, 0 neutral and 2 negative. Go to pricegrabber.com, search for your TV's model, and check out the reviews on VisualApex. I have never seen a dealer with that many reviews uniformly positive. I have also called and spoken to one of their reps by phone, and found him to be extremely professional and knowledgeable. They have the 42" 7UY for about $2,620 delivered, so they are very competitive on price as well. The have the 50" 7UY for about $3,670 delivered. I just did a little research about that "black strobing" problem, and it seems (based on the AVSforum thread I read) that the problem is more prevalent in the 42" than the 50".

Anyway, lot's of luck on your purchase.

The biggest problem are the yayhoos that ship the panel. These guys are the same ones that believe the old Philips ads with the plasma over the bed.

Warranty becomes a huge problem mail order; also verify the panel isn't some oddball foreign model.

I personally can't think of anything worse in the electronic world to ship around more than necessary. It's not worth the risk and probable runaround.

 

[BMXTRIX]

I would never call it 'probable runaround' - Plasmas ship in very well padded cartons and don't have a huge out of the box failure level. They get to stores by being shipped. When you buy from a store, you have no idea at all how much it has undergone on the way to that store. Especially if it goes through a central warehousing (BB/CC) facility first.

Yes, you have the store right there... Is that worth an extra grand?

In my opinion online stores have a lot of reputation on the line and they are only going to build trust through honest, fair, and accurate work. If a online store consistenly performs and delivers well and safely, then you will have much more luck with them.

Sure, maybe one out of every 50 or 100 plasmas need to be exchanged. But, a good online store will do this, and it won't be a major headache to get it done.

Note: I have bought 3 projectors from Visual Apex, they are by far the best online... or even brick & mortar... store I have dealt with in my life.

I keep looking at www.bestbuyplasma.com as well. I have heard good things, but need to dig deeper. Their selection is excellent and I would opt for a plasma w/speakers & cable card slot over a 'commercial' unit any day.

 

[Jmoney715]

some companies put those little sensor on the boxes so if it either falls over or takes a hard hit the sensor will break and indicate that it has been hit, usually they advise you to not accept it when this happens...

 

[BMXTRIX]

Wow, someone gave me 'nagative feedback' for my post above.

Whoever that was, at least come back with some reasons why you think I'm wrong instead of silently slamming me. I gave REASONS why I believe that mail order is an excellent way for SOME people to make their purchase.

I work in the A/V field, I know that 90% of people are clueless on how to install and set up a plasma correctly and they really require a store front and someone to walk them through every step. Others just like the 100% (supposed) peace of mind that comes with getting it from BB/CC... Do you really think their customer service is that much better than a dedicated, highly rated, online store?

Most of all - I know that when we, as a company, order plasmas, they are shipped to us on trucks. We never open them before we get to the client site, we never test them. They are just shipped, and when we arrive at the client that is the FIRST time we ever see them out of the box. Heck, we ship them in a box to the client. Out of a couple hundred plasmas that I have done this with, perhaps 1.. maybe 2 have had something wrong with them. That's about a 1% out of box failure rating.

That inspires enough confidence in me to KNOW that when I purchase a plasma, if I don't buy from my company, then I will 100% definitely be buying online.

I bought my first plasma (50") online and it looks fantastic.

 

[MDS]

Wow, someone gave me 'nagative feedback' for my post above.

Whoever that was, at least come back with some reasons why you think I'm wrong instead of silently slamming me. I gave REASONS why I believe that mail order is an excellent way for SOME people to make their purchase.

All the more reason IMO that the 'ratings' are worthless. I thought your post was excellent - well reasoned and logical and based on EXPERIENCE. Like I said before, the regulars get to know each other and learn who has what knowledge and/or experience with certain topics and BMXTRIX is certainly at the top of the heap when it comes to this particular topic. Shame on the poster that left a negative rating.

 

[Dan]

I mail ordered my 50" Panasonic about 18 months ago from www.dtvcity.com in Atlanta. It came in less than 48 hrs via Toledo and Baltimore to Washington DC area. There were no problems. The website did thoroughly discuss how to inspect the package and what to do if a return was needed. Some of their testimonial letters on the site were from people who got a cracked screen etc and had to return it. They were pleased (of course) at how DTVCity handled it. It was nice to see such things as they admit shipping is not foolproof and are prepared to handle it. The TV has been great.

 

[AFJumper03]

Yes, you have the store right there... Is that worth an extra grand?

I agree, looking back on when I bought my LCD rear projection set, I paid over 800 bucks more than what I could have gotten online at an authorized dealer because I didnt want to deal with shipping and I was just impatient. Which is SO stupid because I spent 2 months researching it, was is another 2 weeks for shipping. If you can get a good deal online and they aren't shady, dont feel like you have to buy it in a store.

 

[fredatty]

I ordered the TH-42PHD7UY from DTVcity and had no problem in December with snow on the ground. It is really very well packaged with the tip indicator on the outside box. There was some slight spill so we opened it in the garage while the guy waited. There was no obvious damage but you record it on the delivery receipt. I think you have about 2 weeks to install and tell them if there is a real problem. There is a return policy on the website. I saved a lot of money then although the price is now about $700 less - so what else is new.