Most people are apprehensive about buying products online, especially when it comes to big ticket items, when we say big ticket items we’re referring not just to the price but the size as well; like HDTV sets. Buying from a reputable online vendor is actually a great way to save money, you won’t have to pay tax through most online vendors but then what about the after purchase service? If something happens to the product can the online seller guarantee that the product will be replaced or repaired? What about the warranty? How is your TV covered? If you’re in a dilemma about buying HDTV online or from a retail store then read on. Hopefully this post will help you decide.
Accessibility/Availability
You can search online for any model of HDTV. You’ll save on gas also and eliminate the hassle of having to drive thru traffic and fight for parking space when you get to the store. The only disadvantage is you won’t get to see the product personally. Looking at pictures will have to suffice. Reading the specifications will just have to do. It’s kind of like buying a car without getting the opportunity to test drive it which really sucks.
You will also need a credit card or a PayPal account to use as a method of payment when you shop on Amazon.com. On the other hand, you can just drive to the store, look at the products and get a feel for the products. If you’ve decided which to purchase then you just go to the counter and pay in cash. That’s how fast it is.
Delivery/Shipment
When you buy from a retail store you can pretty much just bring the item home with you. No need to wait for days on end anticipating exactly how the item will look like once it gets to your house like you would for the arrival of your baby. And since you’ll be transporting the item home yourself you have no one else to put the blame on should happen something happen to it. This is a good time to be extra careful. I mean who wants to see their precious HDTV fall to pieces.
When you buy from Amazon.com it will take days for the delivery although the shipping is for free. I have read horror stories from customers who said it took 2-3 month for their item to get delivered. That is such a long time. No one shouldn’t have to wait that long, regardless if they’re from Alaska or not. On the bright side Amazon.com has white glove delivery, which means they won’t just deliver the product at your doorstep and go. They will actually set it up for free so you can make sure that the TV is working before they leave. This will eliminate the possibility of a DOA product.
Warranty/Returns, Repairs, Exchanges/Customer Service
Electronics purchased from Amazon.com, which includes items from the Target at Amazon.com store, can easily be returned to Amazon.com within 30 days of receipt of shipment thru their online Returns Center. The items must be in new condition with original packaging and accessories. They do not accept products with missing serial numbers or UPCs. They will not issue refunds for those items. When it comes to warranty Amazon.com will not be responsible for your TV.
The company or the manufacturer of the TV is responsible for that. This is pretty much the same for all companies except perhaps for Costco where you can return damaged products in exchange for a working one. They don’t repair items, they just exchange it. If you purchase an item directly from Amazon Merchants then Amazon.com will not accept any returns. If your item was picked up from the Merchant’s store or shipped to you by the Merchant then you should return the item from the Amazon Merchant where you purchased the product.
Retail stores are at a great advantage when it comes to this. If you have any complaints you can drive to the store, ask for their customer service department and tell them your grievances. You can actually speak to a live person who will listen to you, or at least pretend to. Be sure though to read and understand the store’s return policy.
PRICE
Prices at local stores are oftentimes higher than items online. This is because online stores don’t have to pay for overhead, rent and salary for the staff. In order to compete with online store prices most retail stores slash their prices and give discounts to customers and sometimes offer free delivery to get customers to buy. There are times though when a local retail store like let’s say Best Buy will price match what is offered on Amazon.com.
One thing that you should remember though is that Amazon.com no longer does price match. For example when you buy an item that originally costs $400 and then the price of the item goes down to $350 within 30 days of your purchase they usually refund you the difference. But now they don’t do that anymore. That’s a bummer to the consumers.
Conclusion
The aforementioned points should be considered if you are thinking of getting a new HDTV but remember though to always read the fine print, understand warranty and return policies and to never purchase impulsively. These will save you from getting headaches.
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