HD Guru's tips on getting the best price on a new HDTV

How cheap can you get the Editor's Choice-winning Panasonic TH-50PZ800U?

The HD Guru has had a long career in the consumer electronics business, including 30 years as VP for a chain of consumer electronics stores. The good news for you is that he's willing to share some of the knowledge he's picked up over the years, and his latest blog includes some sage advice on scoring the lowest price when buying a new HDTV.

The HD Guru recommends basically a four-step method:
1) Research TVs online (of course, we recommend CNET's HDTV reviews).
2) Go to a major retailer like Best Buy or Circuit City and look at your choices in person.
3) Go back online and find the absolute lowest price on your favorite HDTV.
4) Find a commission-based electronics store, and ask them to beat that price.

The HD Guru's article has the full scoop on why this works so well, so you'll want to read the whole guide if you're getting ready to buy. He also tells you how to handle the other buying issues, such as extended warranties, the ins and outs of delivery service, and where to buy cables (check out our HDMI cable guide as well).

We could definitely see some people having some ethical qualms with this method, as it seems like you're abusing the goodwill of major retailers' displays, then squeezing all the commission out of the other employees. On the other hand, the commission-based employees don't have to do much work--since you already know what HDTV you want to buy--so they're essentially getting a "free" sale.

Do you think the HD Guru's methods are fair, or should you just go to one store and settle for a "fair" price? Let us know in the comments--we'd especially love to hear your opinion if you work in a commission-based electronics store.

[cottonmather0]

Huh? The only "fair" price is whatever price the buyer and seller agree upon. Shopping is fun and is one thing that most people are HORRIBLE at. Everything is negotiable.

[jmackowi]

CNET has reported that you can haggle with major retailers now, so you can include them in your negotiations.

[ERCNET]

I actually work for Best Buy and although some people have had both great and bad experiences shopping there since we've been around, I can honestly say that the company is TOTALLY focusing on taking care of the customer MUCH MUCH MORE. That means that yes, you can come into our store and price match products(TVs included) and as long as it doesn't cause the store to lose money, more times than not they'll honor the deal. I've personally honored Amazon.com price matches before because there was still a profit on the purchase for the company. SO GO TO BEST BUY!

[illithar]

Surely ERCNET although they may price match Amazon, that still leave Amazon being mostly tax and often delivery free. Plus doesn't taht mean Best Buy is overcharging those unsophisticated electronice customer's who don't know where else to look? Just asking?

[d4nner]

It's fair. It's called "economics". Now gasoline is another story . . .

[Jazzyjeff10]

While also working at a big box retailer (Bestbuy), I completely agree with ERCNET. You also have to look at logistics, if a customer comes in with a good attitude and a smile on their face, most employees are WAY more bound to work with a pleasant customer than one that walks in demanding the cheapest deal. Just because your pissy doesn't mean I have to knock $900 off that TV. I totally understand that alot of people have been hacked off at a big retailers at one time or another,but it's going to happen at some point, It would be like asking Ford or GM or Toyota to make a vehicle that never breaks down or with no recalls. I don't speak for my company, nor the other retailers out there, but like cottonmather0 said, have some fun, take some time to learn what the employee knows, or even what YOU can show the employee, i mean I love being schooled by customers, I feel like an arse but then when i help the 5 people after them i'm not going to be telling them the wrong thing again. Patience is truely a virtue for both the consumer and employee.... I'd love to hear feedback on this.

[dplasters]

fry's stores don't generally match their online prices... and they work on commission so yah.. as this continues you'll see TVs turn into PCs. No margin on the product so the service you will get will get worse. Give it 10 years and people will wonder where "my local home audio/video store went".

[dplasters]

and i can get the Panasonic TH50PZ800u for $2,176.

[swiggins]

how come everyone always works at Best Buy here, and whenever I go into Best Buy and tell them I saw the new this or that on cnet, they're like, . . C-what?..........I always end up knowing more because I come to this site. . . If people that work at Best Buy are logging on, they aren't at any of the Best Buys I go to.

[silent_jon]

i found it for $1,393.00 ..... not by searching any stores, but by copy-n-pasteing it into walmart.com

[silent_jon]

yea.. nevermind that post, wrong t.v. sorry!

[Profocal]

How is this insight to buying a tv? This is more like an episode of Amazing Race! HD Guru... you've been in the consumer electronic business for over 30 years? Your joking right? You would know that there is NO mark up on flat panels anymore! Free sale? You think these tv's just magicly appear on shelves? You must make profit in order to pay distribution, marketing etc. When you match online prices, you are matching against retailers who, either dont have an overhead, or are not authorized dealers.You pay for these things. You must pay for shipping, be stressed out over the condition of the merchandise as it arrives, Nothing in life is free, and someone with so much experience in retail should know this. Are you semi-oblivious to the constant phone calls after the sale? Oh wait you are, your a corporate ego. Not to mention the people who buy the tv after researching online, bring it home, use it, yet never hook it up to HD!
How about some real advice when buying a flat panel....
1. Buy from authorized retailers!!! They will know about any rebates, incentives, honor any warranties etc.
2. Don't let anyone tell you one technology is better than another... Oh you think Lcd is the best? Please show me where it says this...? Whats best for my room, could be terrible for another person, due to room set up, lighting etc.
3. Get as big as you can! Of course within the asthetics of the room, remember, you can't add an inch everyother year, and you want to plan on keeping your new panel for at least fifteen plus years.
4. Although its getting harder and harder to find a panel without 1080p res, Try not to have tunnel vision for such specs, this res is not yet broadcasted yet, and most people dont realize, if you sit ten feet from a 50" panel, your goint to be HARD pressed to see the difference... PERIOD... Your just sitting to far away at that point! My favorite tv in proving this point is the PRO-1150HD, at just 1080i/720p, it still knocks the socks out of almost any panel out there 1080p included....

[dplasters]

you good sir are incorrect. there is no markup on laptops/desktops. TVs and home audio have wiggle room on them. you are correct in overhead costs that brick and mortar retailers pay though

[Profocal]

Yes there may be "wiggle" room in the pricing, however, when you go to Dunkin Donuts, you don't barter the price on your #2 combo do you? It is what it is, and if you dont want it, dont buy it. Any respectable retailer will have a policy to price match any legitament price out there, should the price change in the near future. Also look in the news, all the big box electronic retailers tried banking their future on flat panels, and look whats happening, businesses are closing their doors! Trust me, their may be "margin" in flat panel sales, but that margin, is not PROFIT, after all the bills and employees are paid. So in fact, if there WAS profit in these things, wouldnt you see retailers doing better, and stocks going up with all this flat panel excitement? Maybe they are, Im just oblivious to it.

[Profocal]

Sooo Tv's have "wiggle" room? Is that why the top three major electronic retailers are all posting loses, especially compared to forcasted profits. Flat panels have barley any "margin" in them, after accounting for distribution, marketing, employees, taxes, etc. Theres ZERO profit to go around. The retailer must rely on you purchasing the necessary accesories in order to make a profit. Are you the type of person that goes to Dunkin Donuts, orders a #2, and says HEY! ... I know it only cost you 10 cents to make my coffee, and 20 cents to make a muffin, im only going to pay you 50 cents! No, you pay the asking price, leave happy, and move on with your day.

[dplasters]

margin on a new panasonic is over 30% same with sony and samsung.

[ev61]

This strategy seems very insulting, if not unethical. A local store pays for the electricity, pays its local employees, pays taxes in your town and whether or not you shop there versus online is totally up to you. If you prefer to steer clear of the big box stores, more power to you. But, when you go in, look around, play with stuff just to find out which you like more, with ZERO intention of buying, you are basically stealing. Then, you go online to a place that doesn't have the same costs, and get a price that is far better. Then, you take that to a commission based store and ask them to beat it?

Want to avoid being a jerk? A). Read reviews online. Go to a local store, find the one you like. Find a reputable online location and find a good price. Return to the store you used and ask for a fair price. You are willing to pay a little more today so you can watch it tonight and not pay shipping, but you want a good bargain as well.

B). Read reviews online, find the TV you want, get a reasonable price, go into a commission based store and use that as your benchmark.

C). Read reviews online, order online, enjoy your set.

You can't eat your cake and have it too. If you care about the local economy, care about wasting others time and money and want a fair price, don't be that jerk who abuses the system. Can I haggle at a restaurant for a price for food, ask a local gas station to price match Iran, or find a filet mignon online and ask the local butcher to beat that price? It is insulting, rude and disrespectful. Show a little class.

[ev61]

This strategy seems very insulting, if not unethical. A local store pays for the electricity, pays its local employees, pays taxes in your town and whether or not you shop there versus online is totally up to you. If you prefer to steer clear of the big box stores, more power to you. But, when you go in, look around, play with stuff just to find out which you like more, with ZERO intention of buying, you are basically stealing. Then, you go online to a place that doesn't have the same costs, and get a price that is far better. Then, you take that to a commission based store and ask them to beat it?

Want to avoid being a jerk? A). Read reviews online. Go to a local store, find the one you like. Find a reputable online location and find a good price. Return to the store you used and ask for a fair price. You are willing to pay a little more today so you can watch it tonight and not pay shipping, but you want a good bargain as well.

B). Read reviews online, find the TV you want, get a reasonable price, go into a commission based store and use that as your benchmark.

C). Read reviews online, order online, enjoy your set.

You can't eat your cake and have it too. If you care about the local economy, care about wasting others time and money and want a fair price, don't be that jerk who abuses the system. Can I haggle at a restaurant for a price for food, ask a local gas station to price match Iran, or find a filet mignon online and ask the local butcher to beat that price? It is insulting, rude and disrespectful. Show a little class.

[stuntman_mike]

To all of the posters who think that it is "unethical" to ask big box stores to match online prices, are you all insane lol? If I find a lower price online and ask the big box to match or beat it, guess what people, they don't have to do it! No one puts a gun to their head. If they don't want to match or beat the price, then tell them to go buy it online from where ever it is that the customer found that best price. Then the onus is on the customer to decide if he/she wants to go through buying it online, going to another store, or trying to see if the big box will meet somewhere in the middle.

To say that a consumer that tries to shop around is some kind of lowlife is laughable. The consumers money is just as important to him or her as the salesperson's and stores profit is to them.

The nerve of people actually trying to save money right?! Get a clue.

[gabereyes]

That is not going to work, why would anyone match or beat an online price form some web site they never heard of, when you know that the customer can bring the TV back to the store, and also get help from a sales person.

( This is a smack in the face to all sales people and retail stores )

You are not only paying for the TV, you should be paying for the option to see the TV in person, the sales person help, the option of bringing the TV back if you dont like it, and help if you have any problems with hookups.
This is why everone complaines about service, the companys make no profit to train the employees, and if they do spend the money to train, no one cares about service anymore, its all about price, Ive had customers so focused on nagotiating a price, that they buy the wrong type of TV and setup for their home.

If you want to buy something based on price, go to Wal-mart
there you will get a cheap price for a cheap product and No or very little service.

[check_marc]

There is little to no margin in televisions to day. Look at Fujitsu they pulled out of the plasma market because for the most part the American consumer is concerned about price alone in consumer electronics. Look at the junk that Best Buys sells versus a higher end retailer. It is amazing that the same people that want to get the best price by buying online are the ones that get the most upset when they call a brick and mortar store for help with their online purchase and are told to go back to where they bought it for help or that their great online savings won't be covered under warranty because they did not purchase the product from an authorized dealer. In the twenty years that I've been selling CE you get what you pay for. If you get the cheapest price you forgo service like it or not.

[Kingdaddy2000]

I already use a similar process. I check both ebay and Amazon. However, my dad wanted to buy a TV, and didn't want to buy anything over the internet. He wanted to buy one from Costco, so I researched Costco and Best Buy's sales prices over the internet. Costco's store (in Newport News, VA) didn't have the same TV's they had online, and I didn't like what they had in stock, so I took him to Best Buy. Found a TV we liked for $1799, and I asked the store for the discounts Best Buy advertised online (free Logitech remote, discount on accessories, etc.). When the rep pulled it up online, he showed it to his manager and asked if he knew about that. The manager told him to look at the top, which said "Available Online Only". So, I walked over to the Mac PCs, and found Circuit City's website with the same TV listed for $1629. I asked Best Buy to match it. He said he had to validate Circuit City had it in stock, so I stood there while he called them. They did not have it in, so I had him call the Chesapeake VA store, which did have it. He agreed to match it. He checked inventory, which the Best Buy Newport News store reported as having 1 of them, but they could not locate it. They told me if we could wait until Tuesday they would have 1 in. Since my dad did not want to wait, I asked them what they could offer us for the next higher model. The manager reviewed the price, and we got it for $1736 - no free logitec remote (which my dad din't need anyhow), but still cheaper than the original $1799 price they would not discount - and a better TV! Unreal.