The best places to buy a HDTV.

Let’s take a quick look at where the best place to buy your new HDTV is. There are two main categories: Online and Brick and Mortar (B&M) stores.

Online HDTV Retailers

A lot of people aren’t comfortable of making such a large purchase from an online store because they are worried about getting scammed — and I dont blame them. When making a purchase as significant as a LCD or Plasma HDTV you should always buy from a large reputable dealer, preferably (but not always) ones with a B&M presence. Many time to get the best deals on HDTVs you have to stray from the B&M stores and go with those that only have an online presence. It is always good practice to look up a store’s rating on BizRate.com to ensure they are legitimate business and don’t have a habit of mistreating customers.

My HDTV Deals.com lists only deals from online stores that I would feel comfortable purchasing from - so if you buy a HDTV deal listed on this site, you can buy with confidence (I make no guarantee about the vendors level of customer service of course).

Here is a list of my favorite online stores:

1. Amazon.com - Amazon.com is my hands-down favorite place to buy a HDTV. Amazon.com usually have the best prices and offer free shipping. Amazon.com is also the largest online retailer so you don’t have to worry about not getting an item or bad customer service. They also have a 30-days return policy. Please note, Amazon.com will pay for return shipping on defective items, but you will be responsible for shipping/return shipping fees if you the TV is not defective but you’re not satisfied with it.
2. Buy.com - Buy.com is the second biggest online retailer. They usually offer free shipping on HDTVs. Buy.com has a special “Manufacturer Only” return policy on HDTVs - which means the HDTV may only be returned directly to the manufacturer.
3. Abe’s of Maine.com - Abe’s of Maine.com has B&M locations in the North East USA and has a very good reputation as an online retailer. They have a 30 day return policy , please read for exact details.
   
4. CircuitCity.com - Popular online retailer with a heavy B&M presence (over 600 locations in the USA). All HDTVs have a 30 day return policy where you can return them to a B&M location, thought you may be subject to a restocking fee. Read CircuitCity.com’s return policy for more details.
5. BestBuy.com - Similar to CircuitCity.com, Read BestBuy.com’s return policy for more details.

Brick and Mortar (B&M) HDTV Retailers

Most people are more comfortable buying from a B&M location because you get to walk in and see the product you are buying and you have a certain amount of comfort that you won’t get ripped off since you can always come back to the B&M location and speak with a real person.

Be wary of buying from B&M locations though because there are sales people! I don’t care if they aren’t commission based, they will try to get you to buy stuff you don’t need and tell you things that aren’t true (a lot of the time because they don’t know any better).

When buying from a B&M location/salesperson look out the the following:

1. DON’T LET YOURSELF GET PRESSURED INTO BUYING! If you feel like a salesperson is pressuring you, leave the store and come back later! Your HDTV purchase is NOT something you want to be pressured into.
2. Make sure you understand the return policy. Make sure you get it in writing and confirm that what’s in writing matches what the sales person has told you.
3. When you buy an HDTV they will try to sell you cables, dvd players, extended warranties, etc.
   • Extended Warranties are generally a rip-off. I personally don’t get them and rely on the manufacturer’s 1 year warranty. I figure if anything is going to go wrong it’ll go wrong in the first year. Plus you’ll be better served saving that $400 for a 3 year warranty and putting it towards a new HDTV if/when your HDTV breaks.
   • The cables they will try to sell you are a RIP-OFF! Buy them online (ebay.com, Newegg.com, etc.) for a fraction of the price. The $6 HDMI cable you get on newegg.com is just as good the $90 HDMI cable they’ll try to sell you. Remember, if they try to sell you a “Monster” branded cable, they are trying to rip you off — Monster is overpriced like no other.
   • DVD-Players, Blu-ray Players, other accessories - Unless its a good deal and you need one, wait to buy it later perferably online. Smaller items like Blu-ray and DVD players can usually be picked up for 75% of the cost at the B&M locations.
4. Make sure you understand the Delivery costs upfront! Many times you will not be able to fit a big screen HDTV into your car and will need it delivered. This can cost up to $100 sometimes and can take several days to deliver! So much for instant gratification that B&M stores normally provide.
5. If you’re good at haggling purchasing from a B&M may be the best deal for you! See if you can drop the price of the TV, and after that is as low as you think you can get it, try to have a some cables and a DVD Player tossed in for free. Cables and DVD Players cost these big stores next to nothing (cables cost them cents, DVD Players dollars) and are usually willing to give them away if it means a sale on a big ticket item like a HDTV. Just remember these “freebies” can often be found online for very cheap, so don’t let them make the deal - the final price of the HDTV itself should be the deciding factor.