Buy an HDMI cable, make $7

This gold-plated HDMI cable--and $7--can be yours if you don't mind waiting on a rebate.

(Credit: Circuit City)

Update: Sigh. Sorry, folks. Barely an hour after I posted this, Circuit City bumped the cable's price up to $20. So there's zero point in taking advantage of this rebate--not when you can buy an HDMI cable for $3 shipped.

In light of yesterday's lively and enlightening discussion about rebates, I could not let this pass by: Circuit City is offering a 6-foot HDMI cable for $5.97, plus $6.99 for shipping, minus $20 after a mail-in rebate [PDF].

In other words, when all is said and done, you'll walk away with $7 and an HDMI cable. This rebate actually refunds 100 percent of your purchase price, and then some.

So let's assume you're in the market for such a cable. Even taking the rebate out of the equation, $13 out the door is not a bad price.

Of course, as regular Cheapskate readers know, you can buy a 6-foot HDMI cable for as little as $3.19 shipped. (In fact, that same deal is now down to $2.99: a penny for the cable, $2.98 for shipping. Crazy!)

So which is better: Three bucks now and no rebate hassles, or $13 now and the promise of a $20 check in 8-10 weeks?

Tough one! Either way, the song remains the same: Don't overpay for HDMI cables! I've used both cheap and pricey ones, and the audio-video quality was always identical. Your thoughts?

[benignotx]

I think I'll take the rebate option. If a cheapskate is patient, he'll be rewarded in the long run!

[krubby]

Rick,

Just to clairify, you state above "So which is better: Three bucks now and no rebate hassles, or $13 now and the promise of a $20 check in 8-10 weeks?" However, when I read the terms of the rebate on the PDF you actually get a pre-pad visa card (versus a check) for any rebate over $10.00, which this is.

Only reason I mention this is I saw some comments yesterday that folks didn't mind check rebatesbut did not like the pre-paid visa cards. For some it may make a difference.

[Idyot]

compusa.com, tigerdirect.com, and circuitcity.com are all the same entity.

Interestly enough the exact same cable is $20.00 on the other 2 sites. parse the URLs..

http://www.compusa.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4603156
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4603156

[treter144]

This cable is now being listed as $20 on the Circuit City Website

[rscorer614]

This is shown as $20 on Circuit City now....

[Mr_fleabite]

I like your style Rick. I'd take the $3 deal, its a good price and for me 7 bucks plus the wait isn't really worth the time.

[rickbroida]

Arrrghhh! Sorry about that, everyone.

[mercury65]

Looks like there was a pricing error. As of 9:50AM EDT the base price before rebate is $20, not $5.97. So after rebate you're looking at shipping being your total cost.

[krubby]

I didn't order one, but I wonder for those that did if they will honor the price or not.

[goober_nut]

Monster cables with their gold plated, vacuum sealed, trade secret wires deliver a much better picture than those $3 cables. Besides, the more you pay the better is must be. Right?

[AlbanyHDTV]

So, will we be getting another "deal" for today?

[rickbroida]

Definitely! Might be a bit later in the day, but I'll find something. :)

[jca671]

Rick, watch out when you say "definitely!" ;) It's Saturday now and the HDMI cable is still the deal shown!

[loose_screw]

Give the man a break! It's not like you're paying anything to read this blog.

I think Rick deserves a night off. So someone doesn't get a deal today, who cares.

[jca671]

I agree- was just giving Rick a good-hearted ribbing- you notice the wink? Agree, the man deserves some breaks!

[aggie1993]

I just did the $3 cable from Amazon! Thanks Rick! Even if the Circuit City deal was still around, I think I'd have gone with the Amazon deal... Even though its not the same company, the "Circuit City" name just leaves a bad, untrusting taste in my mouth!

[jimbeeks]

Monoprice.com has prices lower than that every day...Sorry dude you missed those guys....they are the lowest. fastest best service on the net!!!

Monoprice.com has it all for electronics.

My daddy always says... "A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush."

[anokaflash]

I bought the Amazon cable this past August (actually went ahead and just grabbed two) Anywho, it has been a solid performer and was well worth the wait. Running a Samsung 1600 with plenty of Netflix streaming and blue ray playing.

Flash
Centrisity.com

[jamostew]

Woo-hoo! I mean, DOH!

[rucknrun]

Just go to www.monoprice.com they ship great cables for less then a dollar a foot all the time.

[xBradcorex]

Thanks for the monoprice suggestion, man that place is dirt cheap. It's awesome.

[rickbroida]

I've never seen such unabashed love for a company as for Monoprice. :)

[jca671]

Circuit City can't even get it right in it's new incarnation? Figures!