Flat screen TVs

S

scott475

Joined
Apr 25, 2000
Messages
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This is why I always have palpatations when I deal with salesmen. I was looking at flat screen TVs and the guy says "If you get a flat screen you HAVE to get the service plan, because in about two years the TV will develop a soft spot right in the middle of the screen." He said this was because there is still a curved monitor behind the flat one, so the two scrrens are closest right in the middle, which is why the 'soft spot' develops.

I didn't get the TV because, first, nobody is going to tell me I HAVE to buy anything. Second, I don't get real excited about buying something for a lot of money when I know it will only have a two year life. Was this guy totally full of it, as I suspect he is? I know nothing about electronics, but figure I can find the answers here.
 
I hate when this type of misinformation is used to scare people into extended warranties. I'm a sales manager at Sony; there is NO curved screen behind the flat one (I have to admit, this is the first I've heard this one!).

Our TV's are very reliable (less than 1% initial defects), but you can always get a lemon. Standard warranty on Sony TV is 90 days on regular, 1 year on projection and XBR (more than you need to know, I realize).

USUALLY if it works properly out of the box, it will outlive you. Usually.

Hope this helps.
 
For the amount of money you'd spend on a flat screen you could get a regular screen with an awsome surroundsound system and some money to spare.(SPEND IT ON KNIVES) I was just up at Nobody Beats the Wiz today, and they had a plazma HD flatscreen TV for $11,999 Wow!!!!
All sales people are full of crap, before you buy something RESEARCH RESEARCH RESEARCH, magazines, internet, books. Know all the comparative models inside and out. That is the only way you will know what you really want, dont rely on the guy who is getting a commission for his sales. You probably already know more about electronics than the salesman, people who work as salesmen at electronic stores are usally not the sharpest tool in the tool shed. Your best bet after determining what TV you want is to order from a catalog, or over the internet. Most likely the catalog or internet site will have the best price.
Sorry can't help you with that ?Soft Spot? problem, Audio is my thing.
 
You have to understand that the store makes only a small profit on the item itself--competitive pricing cuts profit margins to the bone. Where they make their money is on these service/extended warranty plans--they usually make more on the plan than on the item. Thus you get the big push to get the "extra protection", including idiotic scare tactics like you were presented with.

Don't get me wrong, an extended warranty is not always a bad decision. I think they're useful on small, delicate items that you carry around, like a camcorder or digital camera. Just make the decision based on your own research and analysis, NEVER take the word of a salesman on this stuff--they are trained to push on this, and often get a spiff (money in their pocket) if they get you to take the service plan.
 
Thanks guys. I figured that was the case. Salesmen are almost never successful with me, and when this guy said that I nearly laughed myself out of the store, but since I don't know about these TVs, I wasn't sure. Thankfully, my BS detector was working!

Hey MikeD60, the TV was a Sony, though I forget the model and size, I think 27" Wega (?). Another question Mike, if you can help, I have a Sony VCR that is only about two years old, but it won't eject the tapes anymore. From what I can tell, it just seems like something is wrong the carrier itself that moves the tape in and out of the machine, because it has not eaten any of them and never sounds like the tape itself is wrapped around anything. Just when you hit eject, everything whirrs and clicks and sonds normal, then the tape lifts about 1/4-1/2 inch or so, then gets stuck, so you have to reach in and coax it out. This, in addition to someone else mentioning they had the same problem with their young Sony prevented me from buying one again. Not slamming Sonys, because I have always been happy with their stuff, but does this problem sound familiar to you? We paid like $250 for the machine, but for the cost of fixing it, we could almost buy another. I am open to suggestions of what I can do to the thing myself to get it working right again. Thanks!
 
Haven't heard that particular one, Scott (my division is in volved in high-end custom home theater installs and home integration, so I don't get much specific product problem contact).

I can say that VCR's have become a commodity, much like DVD's are about to. We (Sony) currently sell 3 VCR models, the most expensive of which is $149.00 at full retail. Dealers buy them for @ 15% less, so you're working on a twenty dollar bill or so at best. If you're happy with the unit and it's a good one (if you paid @$250.00 for it it's most likely better built than a current offering), I might try and get it fixed.

KV-27FV17 is the best 27" set we make. Unless you're viewing an HD source, you'll be very happy with it for some time to come.
 
Sony is the product of choice in my home. However, When it comes to a new TV
I'm gona buy the cheapest Wally world has to offer for now.

Why?? The new HDTV standard will come into effect in 2006 ( I think that's the year)
and all of todays TV will need a converter box or to be replaced. Same goes for a VCR
for the same reason. I ride out the transition on cheaper disposable equipment then buy
the good stuff.

Something to think about for warranty policy buys too.
 
I bought a 32" Wega not too long after they first came out; had it for about 1.5 yrs and sold it to a buddy when I moved up to a HD ready projection set. My buddy still has the TV [about another year has past] and he has had ZERO problems.

Also, as Mike said, there is no second screen. -boy salesmen are desperate these days arent they....second screen...{chuckles}
 
That hard sell tactic is precisely why I prefer to do my shopping on-line. However, buying a television at a B&M store makes sense since the return will be easier. I'm also looking at the flat screen Wegas (or is it Vega?), particularly the KV-27FV17, which inidentally has a 3D comb filter which the KV-27FS13 lacks. The -13 has a comb filter, but apparently, the 3D comb filter on the -17 resutls in a better picture. Check out www.audioreveiw.com for more opinions.

With respect to MikeD60, I have not been impressed with Sony's QC in recent years. My Sony VCR that I bought around 5 years ago would not eject tapes and required unplugging the device to re-initialize the electronics. My Sony 20" (also around 5 years old) has a slightly skewed picture (the image is not distorted, but it is rotated slightly off of 0 degrees). There is also an intermittent greenish discoloration in the lower left of the picture. I don't have any magnetic sources near the TV.

Despite my complaints, I will still buy Sony TV's because I feel that they have better longevity than competing brands.

Research before you buy.

gm
 
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