which is the best store to visit to have a look at different tellies? Not so much from the point of choice and value, althought that would help, but more to do with being able to fairly compare different sets. I walk into currys and they have vastly varying levels of picture quality between sets. Often its due to the signal being fed in. Surely with a freeview signal, if its digital and is decoded by the set, then its fair to compare all sets on this basis. Anyone care to recommend anywhere this is possible, please? With sky signals its different due to length of cables and signal splitters etc.
-
When should you upgrade your hi-fi? How to control ‘upgradeitis’
Choosing a telly
- Thread starter admin_exported
- Start date
Ravey Gravey Davy
Well-known member
j4mm3r
Well-known member
ive been visiting shops in the last few weeks, and yes john lewis is very good. currys are terrible, all tvs off one source showing a logo spinning, not very helpful.
also sony shops and panasonic shops are very good or a specialized electrical shop and or hifi shop are good.
im doing my research in stores, with the view to finding a good deal online with decent warranty.
also sony shops and panasonic shops are very good or a specialized electrical shop and or hifi shop are good.
im doing my research in stores, with the view to finding a good deal online with decent warranty.
daveh75
Well-known member
j4mm3r:im doing my research in stores, with the view to finding a good deal online with decent warranty.
j4mm3r
Well-known member
Alec
Well-known member
j4mm3r
Well-known member
daveh75 seems a little upset, something i said?
the interweb is full of wonderful deals to be had.
i'm reaching for my running shoes now...
the interweb is full of wonderful deals to be had.
i'm reaching for my running shoes now...
Alec
Well-known member
j4mm3r
Well-known member
professorhat
Well-known member
The issue is of course, if everyone just did whats best for them, bricks and mortars would have no customers and would close down. And then where would you do your research?
The other aspect is, if something goes wrong, with the bargain basement internet stores, you may well find it difficult to get decent customer service (not saying all online stores, but there are definitely quite a few which can be tarred with that brush). Many a Sony owner with backlight bleed discovered that to their cost...
The other aspect is, if something goes wrong, with the bargain basement internet stores, you may well find it difficult to get decent customer service (not saying all online stores, but there are definitely quite a few which can be tarred with that brush). Many a Sony owner with backlight bleed discovered that to their cost...
There are also a fair few bricks and mortar establishments who are not too hot when it comes to warrantry claims either, so there is good and bad on either side of the fence. I got my last plaz online from Crampton and Moore and when I had a issue they sorted it out very quickly with no fuss, bought my fridge from a "LARGE" group in my local retail park and had issues with it and it took hours of phone calls to "some where off-shore" before even geting a engineer to visit.
But I think there is a world of differance between someone who just goes into a store and browses then buys at the best deal he/she can get, to someone who goes into a store and gets the staff to arrange countless demo's of equipment that they have no intension of buying there as they are £50 cheaper online.
But I think there is a world of differance between someone who just goes into a store and browses then buys at the best deal he/she can get, to someone who goes into a store and gets the staff to arrange countless demo's of equipment that they have no intension of buying there as they are £50 cheaper online.
sonycentre
Well-known member
Lol and remember that good store staff can read custs alot better then say 10 or 15 years ago.you will never stop on-line shops.and yes if people use a store then buys online says it all really.there will be no shops the rate that this country is heading.With people wanting most things for nothing.you just have to look at the four main players in the tv market,profits are down big time.Apart from samsung who posted a slight profit due to the sale of some of there mobile arm to orange.we all need to look long term at true value for money not just the best deal there and then.
Sorreltiger
Well-known member
When I bought my TV the only meaningful demos I had were in small, specialist shops. Prior to buying, I was able to sit down in a chair which was set up at my home distance and try out different sources. The lighting was quite low - unlike Curry's, or even JL - where the whole experience is completely misleading and unrealistic.
Alec
Well-known member
i could be wrong, prof, but sony themselves dont seem too great with the backlight issue themselves. At least thats the vibe i get from many here.
professorhat
Well-known member
Indeed, that's the main issue - if Sony saw it as a fault, it wouldn't matter where you bought it from as Sony would exchange it. However, since they don't you're wholly reliant on your retailer willing to go the extra mile to ensure they have a happy customer. Obviously there are going to be some bricks and mortars who won't as DJ has said, but if you have a good dealer you trust, you get that extra peace of mind that you just can't get with a bargain basement internet dealership (not naming names!).
Crampton and Moore is actually a dealership in Sheffield which also sells on the internet and I wouldn't class them under the bargain basement label of internet retailer.
Crampton and Moore is actually a dealership in Sheffield which also sells on the internet and I wouldn't class them under the bargain basement label of internet retailer.
professorhat: Crampton and Moore is actually a dealership in Sheffield which also sells on the internet and I wouldn't class them under the bargain basement label of internet retailer.
Nor do I prof which is partially why I chose them even tho I saw the TV for less else where but from net based only establishments.
Now there will be many,many consumers out there who will happily walk into one of the high st super stores or even somewhere like the local Sony and Panasonic center's and buy their new TV solely upon what they see and are told on the shopfloor and go home as ahappy as Larry. But AFAIK none of these would be able to accomadate a propper demonstration off of the shopfloor (or in most cases actually understanding what a propper demo is!)
Now with many smaller specialist shops that can arrange a propper demo there is the very distinct possibilty that they do not either stock the differant brands taht you may be considering, or that particular model you want as a small shop neither has the space or budget to stock any where near as much as large groups, therefore they tend to stick to more "high end" ranges at high end money, which is all well and good if you can afford say a Kuro as I too would chose to buy this type of TV from such a shop (as I do my amps,speakers etc) but what for those of us who want say a Samsung or LG where do we go the local Currys and get fed all sorts of rubbish buy the 17 year old sales person who would not know one end of the remote from another!
This IMHO along with prices is why so many turn to the internet when making major purchases, it is not just the AV market this has affected but even down to far less expensive sporting goods, why pay £100 for your new trainers in the local sports shop when you can sit at home and get them for £30 less on line? A consumer owes nothing to a retailer and it may sound harsh but thats the real world, we all work hard for our money and I for one want to make mine go as far as I can!
Nor do I prof which is partially why I chose them even tho I saw the TV for less else where but from net based only establishments.
Now there will be many,many consumers out there who will happily walk into one of the high st super stores or even somewhere like the local Sony and Panasonic center's and buy their new TV solely upon what they see and are told on the shopfloor and go home as ahappy as Larry. But AFAIK none of these would be able to accomadate a propper demonstration off of the shopfloor (or in most cases actually understanding what a propper demo is!)
Now with many smaller specialist shops that can arrange a propper demo there is the very distinct possibilty that they do not either stock the differant brands taht you may be considering, or that particular model you want as a small shop neither has the space or budget to stock any where near as much as large groups, therefore they tend to stick to more "high end" ranges at high end money, which is all well and good if you can afford say a Kuro as I too would chose to buy this type of TV from such a shop (as I do my amps,speakers etc) but what for those of us who want say a Samsung or LG where do we go the local Currys and get fed all sorts of rubbish buy the 17 year old sales person who would not know one end of the remote from another!
This IMHO along with prices is why so many turn to the internet when making major purchases, it is not just the AV market this has affected but even down to far less expensive sporting goods, why pay £100 for your new trainers in the local sports shop when you can sit at home and get them for £30 less on line? A consumer owes nothing to a retailer and it may sound harsh but thats the real world, we all work hard for our money and I for one want to make mine go as far as I can!
professorhat: Crampton and Moore is actually a dealership in Sheffield which also sells on the internet and I wouldn't class them under the bargain basement label of internet retailer.
Nor do I prof which is partially why I chose them even tho I saw the TV for less else where but from net based only establishments.
Now there will be many,many consumers out there who will happily walk into one of the high st super stores or even somewhere like the local Sony and Panasonic center's and buy their new TV solely upon what they see and are told on the shopfloor and go home as ahappy as Larry. But AFAIK none of these would be able to accomadate a propper demonstration off of the shopfloor (or in most cases actually understanding what a propper demo is!)
Now with many smaller specialist shops that can arrange a propper demo there is the very distinct possibilty that they do not either stock the differant brands taht you may be considering, or that particular model you want as a small shop neither has the space or budget to stock any where near as much as large groups, therefore they tend to stick to more "high end" ranges at high end money, which is all well and good if you can afford say a Kuro as I too would chose to buy this type of TV from such a shop (as I do my amps,speakers etc) but what for those of us who want say a Samsung or LG where do we go the local Currys and get fed all sorts of rubbish buy the 17 year old sales person who would not know one end of the remote from another!
This IMHO along with prices is why so many turn to the internet when making major purchases, it is not just the AV market this has affected but even down to far less expensive sporting goods, why pay £100 for your new trainers in the local sports shop when you can sit at home and get them for £30 less on line? A consumer owes nothing to a retailer and it may sound harsh but thats the real world, we all work hard for our money and I for one want to make mine go as far as I can!
Nor do I prof which is partially why I chose them even tho I saw the TV for less else where but from net based only establishments.
Now there will be many,many consumers out there who will happily walk into one of the high st super stores or even somewhere like the local Sony and Panasonic center's and buy their new TV solely upon what they see and are told on the shopfloor and go home as ahappy as Larry. But AFAIK none of these would be able to accomadate a propper demonstration off of the shopfloor (or in most cases actually understanding what a propper demo is!)
Now with many smaller specialist shops that can arrange a propper demo there is the very distinct possibilty that they do not either stock the differant brands taht you may be considering, or that particular model you want as a small shop neither has the space or budget to stock any where near as much as large groups, therefore they tend to stick to more "high end" ranges at high end money, which is all well and good if you can afford say a Kuro as I too would chose to buy this type of TV from such a shop (as I do my amps,speakers etc) but what for those of us who want say a Samsung or LG where do we go the local Currys and get fed all sorts of rubbish buy the 17 year old sales person who would not know one end of the remote from another!
This IMHO along with prices is why so many turn to the internet when making major purchases, it is not just the AV market this has affected but even down to far less expensive sporting goods, why pay £100 for your new trainers in the local sports shop when you can sit at home and get them for £30 less on line? A consumer owes nothing to a retailer and it may sound harsh but thats the real world, we all work hard for our money and I for one want to make mine go as far as I can!
j4mm3r
Well-known member
i didnt mean to offend anyone just telling it how it is!
i live in the west country near bath/cheltenham/cirencester and these areas are quite well off and therefore small electrical shops and or hifi shops are quite alot more expensive than bigger retailers and obviously online stores (many of which are bricks n mortar with a website).
my experience of smaller specialists shops in the above areas are they tend to have high prices for example the sony kdl40z4500 can be found instores for £1380 whereas online you can find them for £1030. A while back i was looking for a receiver and certain bricks n mortars were charging £500 whereas online (still from brick n mortar) it could be found for £399. Alot of people might not be aware of these price differences but if you are, where would you buy it from? am i tight for looking for a good price or a fool for paying over the odds.
im all for saving the smaller shops, we've lost two green grocers in my town and near villages have lost post offices. But you know i think some smaller specialist shops try it on with their prices, ask them if they price match or about warranties and they start to twitch.
i live in the west country near bath/cheltenham/cirencester and these areas are quite well off and therefore small electrical shops and or hifi shops are quite alot more expensive than bigger retailers and obviously online stores (many of which are bricks n mortar with a website).
my experience of smaller specialists shops in the above areas are they tend to have high prices for example the sony kdl40z4500 can be found instores for £1380 whereas online you can find them for £1030. A while back i was looking for a receiver and certain bricks n mortars were charging £500 whereas online (still from brick n mortar) it could be found for £399. Alot of people might not be aware of these price differences but if you are, where would you buy it from? am i tight for looking for a good price or a fool for paying over the odds.
im all for saving the smaller shops, we've lost two green grocers in my town and near villages have lost post offices. But you know i think some smaller specialist shops try it on with their prices, ask them if they price match or about warranties and they start to twitch.
professorhat
Well-known member
DJ - I understand where you're coming from, I really do. TV purchases seem to be especially hard to argue along these lines given the lack of proper bricks and mortar shops which allow you to have a proper demo, let alone without being a Currys / Comet etc. type store which aren't known for their great service (with some shining exceptions which buck this trend, but the key word being exceptions). At any rate, the after sales support argument isn't my main point. Let's take this:
j4mm3r:my experience of smaller specialists shops in the above areas are they tend to have high prices for example the sony kdl40z4500 can be found instores for £1380 whereas online you can find them for £1030. A while back i was looking for a receiver and certain bricks n mortars were charging £500 whereas online (still from brick n mortar) it could be found for £399. Alot of people might not be aware of these price differences but if you are, where would you buy it from? am i tight for looking for a good price or a fool for paying over the odds.
No, you're not tight for looking for a good price, but did you actually go and ask the dealer what deal they could do you? Quoting the internet price helps, making sure you point out you understand the advantage you're gaining from being able to sample the product in front of your eyes and ears and you understand your dealer has costs internet companies don't even have to consider and you're therefore not looking for a price match, but at least a compromise.
If the dealer is absolutely unwillingly to meet you in any kind of compromise with those prices, then fair enough. You tried and, to be fair, at that kind of margin he's probably being a bit greedy. However, to just go into a shop knowing to yourself you are not even going to give that shop even a whiff of a chance of getting your business is wrong in my opinion.
j4mm3r:im all for saving the smaller shops, we've lost two green grocers in my town and near villages have lost post offices. But you know i think some smaller specialist shops try it on with their prices, ask them if they price match or about warranties and they start to twitch.
You make my case for me here! Why did those green grocers close down? Because people get what they need from the supermarket - it's cheaper - they're doing what's best for them. And then the green grocer closes down as no one does their weekly shop from them any more and they can't afford to stay open. Suddenly, everyone moans about it (he was so convenient!) - what they fail to realise is, if they'd carried on buying from them rather than the supermarket, they'd still be in business! You can't have your cake and eat it is a phrase which works exceptionally well here.
j4mm3r:i didnt mean to offend anyone just telling it how it is!
I'm not offended at all, I'm just trying to point out the folly of thinking it's okay to not buy from local shops because they're too expensive. I have no issue with it at all as long as people realise the consequences of doing this. If you're happy that continuing along this route will mean you can't demo anything in the flesh in the future, then it's not an issue. Just don't complain about it after it's happened - like all those people who are undoubtedly complaining about their missing green grocers / post offices...
j4mm3r:my experience of smaller specialists shops in the above areas are they tend to have high prices for example the sony kdl40z4500 can be found instores for £1380 whereas online you can find them for £1030. A while back i was looking for a receiver and certain bricks n mortars were charging £500 whereas online (still from brick n mortar) it could be found for £399. Alot of people might not be aware of these price differences but if you are, where would you buy it from? am i tight for looking for a good price or a fool for paying over the odds.
No, you're not tight for looking for a good price, but did you actually go and ask the dealer what deal they could do you? Quoting the internet price helps, making sure you point out you understand the advantage you're gaining from being able to sample the product in front of your eyes and ears and you understand your dealer has costs internet companies don't even have to consider and you're therefore not looking for a price match, but at least a compromise.
If the dealer is absolutely unwillingly to meet you in any kind of compromise with those prices, then fair enough. You tried and, to be fair, at that kind of margin he's probably being a bit greedy. However, to just go into a shop knowing to yourself you are not even going to give that shop even a whiff of a chance of getting your business is wrong in my opinion.
j4mm3r:im all for saving the smaller shops, we've lost two green grocers in my town and near villages have lost post offices. But you know i think some smaller specialist shops try it on with their prices, ask them if they price match or about warranties and they start to twitch.
You make my case for me here! Why did those green grocers close down? Because people get what they need from the supermarket - it's cheaper - they're doing what's best for them. And then the green grocer closes down as no one does their weekly shop from them any more and they can't afford to stay open. Suddenly, everyone moans about it (he was so convenient!) - what they fail to realise is, if they'd carried on buying from them rather than the supermarket, they'd still be in business! You can't have your cake and eat it is a phrase which works exceptionally well here.
j4mm3r:i didnt mean to offend anyone just telling it how it is!
I'm not offended at all, I'm just trying to point out the folly of thinking it's okay to not buy from local shops because they're too expensive. I have no issue with it at all as long as people realise the consequences of doing this. If you're happy that continuing along this route will mean you can't demo anything in the flesh in the future, then it's not an issue. Just don't complain about it after it's happened - like all those people who are undoubtedly complaining about their missing green grocers / post offices...
I'm a salesman, although not telly's. IMO, whatever you're selling you've got to SELL the product and SELL the benefits of buying from you. As a consumer, I've bought telly's and AV gear from both online & bricks n mortar retailers and I understand the benefits of both.
But if the bricks n mortar retailers aren't going to disappear, they've got to step up a gear & start selling the benefits of buying from them (and there are lots of good reasons compared to online retaliers). The onus is on themselves, not the consumer IMO. After all, it's their business. The consumer will nearly always do what's immediately best for themselves (even if it's not best for them longterm).
But if the bricks n mortar retailers aren't going to disappear, they've got to step up a gear & start selling the benefits of buying from them (and there are lots of good reasons compared to online retaliers). The onus is on themselves, not the consumer IMO. After all, it's their business. The consumer will nearly always do what's immediately best for themselves (even if it's not best for them longterm).
John Lewis, without a doubt. What's more they will price match and give a five year warranty without further charge - which many stores, online and real, charge several hundred squiddlies for.
sonycentre
Well-known member
Lets just close all the high street shops down in the uk,and then see how we get on,If you need any proof just watch jeff randell,s essex factor on sky news.Now that man talks it like it is.
sonycentre:Lets just close all the high street shops down in the uk,and then see how we get on,If you need any proof just watch jeff randell,s essex factor on sky news.Now that man talks it like it is.
Your not doing yourself any favours with your ill considered comments on this forum. It's clear your comments are biased because of the fact that you work for a high street shop.
I certainly don't want to see my local hifi shops disappear but most can't compete on price with online retailers. With the way things are at present, it becomes all the more important the high street shops distinguish themselves from online retailers and, as I said before, sell the benefits of buying from them.
I haven't seen Jeff Randell's Sky programme so can't really comment. But just because Sky says so doesn't make it so. There's always 2 sides to a story.
Having read a number of your comments on various posts, IMO I don't think your doing Sony Centres any favours either.
Just a suggestion, but you might want to try a more balanced approach to your responses in the future.
Your not doing yourself any favours with your ill considered comments on this forum. It's clear your comments are biased because of the fact that you work for a high street shop.
I certainly don't want to see my local hifi shops disappear but most can't compete on price with online retailers. With the way things are at present, it becomes all the more important the high street shops distinguish themselves from online retailers and, as I said before, sell the benefits of buying from them.
I haven't seen Jeff Randell's Sky programme so can't really comment. But just because Sky says so doesn't make it so. There's always 2 sides to a story.
Having read a number of your comments on various posts, IMO I don't think your doing Sony Centres any favours either.
Just a suggestion, but you might want to try a more balanced approach to your responses in the future.
just bought a 42" Panasonic ÿTX-P42X10B , internet price about £550 ish.
we paid £649 from a high street retailer near Bolton, 5 year warranty and if it goes wrong, pick up the phone and a home visit for repair.
try doing that if bought of tinternet, worth the extra £100, it,s a no brainer folks.....
we paid £649 from a high street retailer near Bolton, 5 year warranty and if it goes wrong, pick up the phone and a home visit for repair.
try doing that if bought of tinternet, worth the extra £100, it,s a no brainer folks.....
j4mm3r
Well-known member
think this particular forum is deviating away from the initial point, we are all here to help one another.
theres always two sides to a coin, and pro's and cons with both.
the current tv i have ive had for 6 years with no problems so there has been no need for a warranty or customer service, obviously with modern tech and my next purchase that could be differnet but if i can buy a tv online with 3-5 years free warranty with returns accepted and with a saving of min. £300 over a high street price im going to take it, like a lot of people on here.
today i was in a specialist shop and asked if they price match and they said within reason as long as the competitor wasnt too far away and the price wasnt too low else it wouldnt be worth them selling the tv, no free warranty would have been included.....the internet sites im referring to are specialized bricks n mortars with a web site offering good deals so why cant high street stores do the same or at least negotiate without walking backwards, some people above have said its down to the shops and not the customers, personally i think they are right, i wonder where all these shop keepers do their shopping? do they haggle & look for a good price, we're all human and with the current climate we need to make money stretch that bit further, im on a 4 day week because of the so called recession, my shopping habits in general have changed drastically, cant wait till i go up to 5 days i'll be loaded now!
theres always two sides to a coin, and pro's and cons with both.
the current tv i have ive had for 6 years with no problems so there has been no need for a warranty or customer service, obviously with modern tech and my next purchase that could be differnet but if i can buy a tv online with 3-5 years free warranty with returns accepted and with a saving of min. £300 over a high street price im going to take it, like a lot of people on here.
today i was in a specialist shop and asked if they price match and they said within reason as long as the competitor wasnt too far away and the price wasnt too low else it wouldnt be worth them selling the tv, no free warranty would have been included.....the internet sites im referring to are specialized bricks n mortars with a web site offering good deals so why cant high street stores do the same or at least negotiate without walking backwards, some people above have said its down to the shops and not the customers, personally i think they are right, i wonder where all these shop keepers do their shopping? do they haggle & look for a good price, we're all human and with the current climate we need to make money stretch that bit further, im on a 4 day week because of the so called recession, my shopping habits in general have changed drastically, cant wait till i go up to 5 days i'll be loaded now!
Similar threads
TRENDING THREADS
-
-
-
-
Something is not right and I’m hoping a forum member will help me
- Started by Fuel4life1234
- Replies: 7
-
-
-
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram