Seeking your feedback regarding TV purchases

[mccvii]

Hey all. I am looking for feedback from people who have had good or no so good experience buying TV's from online stores. (Other than Dell or the other Big Box stores)

I am looking for 3 plasma tv's. 1 52" & 2 42". I have decided on the brand I want. Pricegrabber.com has returned many stores that carry both models I want at prices that are well below the prices at Best Buy, Circuit City, Fry's, Sears, etc. I've found a few online merchants with mainly favorable ratings. I've almost convinced myself but I'd like your thoughts.

Is it hard to push the button to buy a TV (or 2 or 3) online? Were you worried as well? Nervous? Has anyone had any problems with them when they've arrived? Has it been a PITA to get them returned, fixed, etc.? If you did do it, would you do it again? If you we're on the fence like me and decided not to, what made your mind up for you? Likewise, if you did, what was it?

I know I sound a bit wishy washy. Believe me, I have no problems buying most stuff online. Hell, I buy PC's & laptops once a year at least. But, a TV. 3 TVs. I worry about the shipping & delivery & service after the sale. I've really never had a problem with shipping but then I've also never purchased 3 big screen tv's that I know are very fragile.

So, if you've bought a TV online, I don't care who from, chime in. I guess it comes down to savings. 1 store will save me enough on the 52" to almost be able to buy one of the 42"! With shipping! That's almost worth it to me but I hate to think that I'm gambling, you know? Next obvious question is why are they so much cheaper than Best Buy? Ehh, maybe that's one for the sages but, still.

Thanks in advance to anyone can spare a few minutes.

[Peter Cornstalk]

Most of the real low price stores will not take a flat panel LCD or Plasma back. After you sign for delivery, it's yours and any problems you have to take up with the manufacturer.

Most of them also expect you to unbox and check the TV for shipping damages before accepting it or you eat it.

For example, I just bought a 52" Sharp LCD and it has non-uniform banding on the screen when there is a uniform color. The more uniform the color and closer to a dark gray it is, the more it can be seen. I had to take it up with Sharp and wait 2 weeks before they had new stock to replace it because their current stock has a high probability of having the banding. The kicker is... it is well known defect in a lot of these TVs that are being sold and the retailer should have if not already known it before shipping it.

So is it worth the wait and trouble to do all this to save $400 + $200 taxes? I can still use the TV while waiting for Sharp, but what if it didn't come on?

Also, the extended warranties with most all stores, online or brick & mortar, are way overpriced and you can buy them for around $200 for a 3 year extended warranty if you look around.