Read these 11 Plasma TV Retailers Tips tips to make your life smarter, better, faster and wiser. Each tip is approved by our Editors and created by expert writers so great we call them Gurus. LifeTips is the place to go when you need to know about Plasma TV tips and hundreds of other topics.
The online retailer you choose to buy a plasma screen television from should offer a toll free number. Make sure to call to verify not only the company's existence, but also their physical address. A reputable online retailer should offer you a street address, not a PO Box. The address should also be inside the United States, international retailers, even in Canada or Mexico, should be considered unreliable. The retailer should be easily reachable if you need to contact them by mail or by phone.
Often, online retailers act as middlemen between manufacturers and customers, keeping no inventory of their own. Try and look for a retailer who actually keeps a warehouse of goods – this way you can be sure that you can deal directly with the retailer with regards to sales and warranty. The retailer should offer a warranty that guarantees replacement one month after purchase, and should offer the option of purchasing extended warranties from well-known brands. A good online retailer should also be able to provide you with technical assistance before and after purchase.
In the past, comparing different plasma screen televisions within a store has been difficult. Because of the prohibitively high price of plasma screens, retailers have been unwilling to stock very many of them. As prices have lowered over time, retailers have increased their inventories of plasma screen televisions, and it is now possible to compare multiple models in larger electronics stores. Be aware that, if you do all of your research at a single store, you will be seeing only a limited number of plasma screen television models, especially since some stores have deals with specific manufacturers.
The surest way to verify an online plasma screen television retailer is to check up on their business reputation. This can be done easily once you obtain their street address. With their street address, you can call their local chamber of commerce or better business bureau. These organizations should be able to provide you with information regarding the retailer's reputation. Beware of retailers who are not registered with either of these organizations.
The ideal online dealer should be professional while still offering the best prices. The retailer should specialize in entertainment electronics. They should have a history of business, and list customer reviews and corporate clients. They should be able to give you definitive advice, even if that means directing you to another retailer. They should clearly display their warranty and return policies on their websites. Most importantly, they should make the advising, purchasing, shipping, and after-sales process as smooth as possible.
Reputable online retailers should be able to provide you with unbiased advice about the products they sell. They should be knowledgeable about the products they sell and the reasons that people buy them. They should be able to recommend which peripherals you will need to order in addition to your plasma screen television. Most importantly, they should be able to tell you how to integrate your new plasma screen television in to your home theatre system or your work environment.
There are many quality plasma screen television retailers online. There are also many websites that try to take advantage of naïve consumers. If you do the proper research, you can avoid being taken. On of the first, though certainly not the most important, indicators of an online retailer is the appearance of its website. The website should appear professional and provide plenty of information about the retailer and the products that they offer. Keep in mind that a nice website is easy to fake, but a poor website is always an indication of a poor quality retailer.
Do your research before you go out and try to begin comparing plasma screen televisions. You want to work with retailers who have trained sales staff. A salesperson that is well versed in the technology behind plasma screen televisions should be able to respond to all of the questions that your research has generated. Also, a store with a well-trained sales staff most likely has a good working relationship with multiple plasma screen television manufacturers.
Refrain from buying plasma screen televisions from online auction sites. The products offered on an auction site are often older models of plasma screen television. Even if they come from reputable brands, they may have many of the problems that plagued early plasma screen televisions. Also, used televisions may no longer have effective warranties. Older plasma screen televisions are more susceptible to burn in, and often had poor levels of contrast and brightness.
Beware of online retailers that offer free shipping for your plasma screen television. There are two reasons for this. First, online retailers offer free shipping when they know that they can save money somewhere else in the transaction. If you're being offered free shipping for an item as large as a plasma screen television, then the retailer could be skimping on other parts of their service. Secondly, if a retailer offers free shipping, they will most likely use the cheapest possible means of shipping. Plasma screen televisions are expensive pieces of electronic equipment, and care should be taken in shipping so that they are not damaged. Paying reasonable shipping prices is worth more than dealing with shoddy or damaged goods.
The major advantages of buying a plasma screen television from an on site electronic retailer are service and reliability. A plasma screen television bought from a store will have a genuine manufacturers warranty. The store itself my offer warranty or service plans. Some stores even offer installation options. Lastly, a retail store most likely will have a return policy, should you be dissatisfied with your television.
Guru Spotlight |
Jolyn Wells-Moran |