For the past two months now I have been searching for a new TV, I have been weighing features with price.
After MUCH research I decided on a Samsung RLS5088W. I wanted the 88 Model because it had the CableCard input, not because I want use Cablecard but because it has a QAM tuner which can tune in the unscrambled HD channels.
So I went to Best Buy, after standing by the computer desk in the TV department someone finally helped me... (yeah right) I told him what I was looking for and I told him they don't have in stock on the floor however the other Best Buy about 20 miles away had one in stock.
He took a look and ran around to the 3 Samsung TV's they had on the floor telling me that they wern't it (no sh*t sherlock) I asked him to check the computer for the model number and he told me "I know our inventory better then the computer and I know we don't have the model, because if we did it would be here on the floor."
I said thank you and told him I was going across the stree to Circuit City. He said "Whatever" and walked away. (All's he neded to do was punch a few keys on the computer he was standing in front of and he probably would have had a sale. But he didnt so I left and went across the street to Circuit City.
I went and planted myself infront of the Samsung 5087W set which was the same TV however it did not have a CableCard / QAM Tuner. Quickly I was greeted by someone and told him what I wanted, he said oh the one with the CableCard, sorry we don't carry that model, people have been coming in and asking about it but for some strange reason we dont...
He said if your looking for a 50 inch 1080p set then take a look at the Sony KDS-R50XBR1 which is a Grand Waga SXRD. and was also $400 more then the Samsung unit. I told him that I researched them online but couldn't justify the price difference between the two. I did notice that the picture was much better.
As we were standing there and looking at the set the manager yelled and asked if I was looking at the Sony, the sales guy yelled back yes I was and the manager came over, following him were two people carrying a TV.
He asked me if I like it and I said yes but I couldnt justify the difference in cost. He then told me I had great timing and explained that a couple just purched a set yesterday and it was just delivered to their house and the wife decided it was too big for their enviroment and had the delivery guys take it back without even hooking it up.
He said he could give me an open box deal on it which was $2,100 which I was tempted to jump at, but I held out, and told him I only have so much money to spend and I would need a stand and installation and also the service plan... He said money? And asked me how I was paying I told him cash, his eyes lit up like a christmas tree and he excused himself and went to a computer and made a phone call.
He came back a few moments later and told me "here is what I can do for you" if you buy the TV, a stand of your choice and the service plan I will knock the price of the TV down $1950!
I asked him about the return policy and warranty and said it was the same as if I purchsed it in a sealed box. I grin came over my face and I said I would take it.
So I purchased the TV, for $1950, a 2 year extended warranty which even covers the bulbs for $299 a nice stand for $269, With delivery and taxes it was around $2750. I paid and they were very nice and gave me a Big Screen Perfomance Kit which has a DVD Cleaning Disc,a Calibration DVD, a Blue Filter for Calibration a bunch of coupons as well as all the material on my TV including the remote and manuals and warranty card.
So I feel I made out well. I know the TV does not do 1080p input but I understand that it can be done with some tweeking. Did I make a good decission? (And BTW no Green Blob on the set which seemed to be an issue with the early production run units of this set)
BTW its being delivered oN Saturday. Can't wait!
I went over to the set the guys just carried in and it was covered with plastic, I took a look behing the set and the power cable was still tied up like they look new. I took a look at the case no scratches...
After MUCH research I decided on a Samsung RLS5088W. I wanted the 88 Model because it had the CableCard input, not because I want use Cablecard but because it has a QAM tuner which can tune in the unscrambled HD channels.
So I went to Best Buy, after standing by the computer desk in the TV department someone finally helped me... (yeah right) I told him what I was looking for and I told him they don't have in stock on the floor however the other Best Buy about 20 miles away had one in stock.
He took a look and ran around to the 3 Samsung TV's they had on the floor telling me that they wern't it (no sh*t sherlock) I asked him to check the computer for the model number and he told me "I know our inventory better then the computer and I know we don't have the model, because if we did it would be here on the floor."
I said thank you and told him I was going across the stree to Circuit City. He said "Whatever" and walked away. (All's he neded to do was punch a few keys on the computer he was standing in front of and he probably would have had a sale. But he didnt so I left and went across the street to Circuit City.
I went and planted myself infront of the Samsung 5087W set which was the same TV however it did not have a CableCard / QAM Tuner. Quickly I was greeted by someone and told him what I wanted, he said oh the one with the CableCard, sorry we don't carry that model, people have been coming in and asking about it but for some strange reason we dont...
He said if your looking for a 50 inch 1080p set then take a look at the Sony KDS-R50XBR1 which is a Grand Waga SXRD. and was also $400 more then the Samsung unit. I told him that I researched them online but couldn't justify the price difference between the two. I did notice that the picture was much better.
As we were standing there and looking at the set the manager yelled and asked if I was looking at the Sony, the sales guy yelled back yes I was and the manager came over, following him were two people carrying a TV.
He asked me if I like it and I said yes but I couldnt justify the difference in cost. He then told me I had great timing and explained that a couple just purched a set yesterday and it was just delivered to their house and the wife decided it was too big for their enviroment and had the delivery guys take it back without even hooking it up.
He said he could give me an open box deal on it which was $2,100 which I was tempted to jump at, but I held out, and told him I only have so much money to spend and I would need a stand and installation and also the service plan... He said money? And asked me how I was paying I told him cash, his eyes lit up like a christmas tree and he excused himself and went to a computer and made a phone call.
He came back a few moments later and told me "here is what I can do for you" if you buy the TV, a stand of your choice and the service plan I will knock the price of the TV down $1950!
I asked him about the return policy and warranty and said it was the same as if I purchsed it in a sealed box. I grin came over my face and I said I would take it.
So I purchased the TV, for $1950, a 2 year extended warranty which even covers the bulbs for $299 a nice stand for $269, With delivery and taxes it was around $2750. I paid and they were very nice and gave me a Big Screen Perfomance Kit which has a DVD Cleaning Disc,a Calibration DVD, a Blue Filter for Calibration a bunch of coupons as well as all the material on my TV including the remote and manuals and warranty card.
So I feel I made out well. I know the TV does not do 1080p input but I understand that it can be done with some tweeking. Did I make a good decission? (And BTW no Green Blob on the set which seemed to be an issue with the early production run units of this set)
BTW its being delivered oN Saturday. Can't wait!
I went over to the set the guys just carried in and it was covered with plastic, I took a look behing the set and the power cable was still tied up like they look new. I took a look at the case no scratches...
