They seem cheaper online, possibly because I'm Canadian and with the dollar at par, it makes sense to buy stuff from the US now.

Anyone on here ever buy a Plasma or LCD online? I'm looking at least for a 50 inch. Probably a plasma. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

IF you use a reputable company and buy a reputable brand then there is no reason why not to do it. Make sure the shipment is insured and check for damage before signing and you're all good.

Have you done it?

Not a 50" plasma but most of my electronics were bought online. My 21" flat screen monitor included.

What is your concern here? The quality? The shipping? The seller's scruples?

Not a plasma or LCD but we bought a 62" DLP from Amazon.

No problems at all.

Well, I've never ordered something that costs a few k online. Just wanted to get a few opinions.

When buying a "big" item from an online source, when you factor in shipping, one usually doesn't save *that* much over Best Buy or Wal Mart to justify the added risk you have to accept should something go wrong. On larger ticket items, the ability to simply take it back should something go wrong in the first 60 days (or whatever) is a huge consideration. If it breaks in transit or goes kaput a week after plugging it in, you are talking multi-week wait times, very stiff return shipping expenses, repackaging and wait times for UPS, dealing with customer service agents who don't know anything, dealing with online middle-men who might be able to save you $70 over Wal Mart but don't offer any product support other than to direct you to "the factory", etc.... Massive headache. **** that shit.
About 90% of all my durable goods purchases are made online. That 10% is made offline for a reason. Big TVs and expensive watches are a couple examples.

Yah, that's what I was worried about. Although, the savings is actually significant for me since I live in Canada, the dollar is at par with the US but the retail prices for large ticket items haven't kept pace.

Except that you're not always talking about $70. I saved over 2k on my TV.

That's basically my dilemma (sp?). I will save huge but if the friggin thing doesn't work when I get it, it will be a huge headache.

You're either a terrible comparison shopper, or got amazingly lucky.
There really isn't that much margin between the box stores and online retailers to justify a $2000 savings on a TV.

It was a really really good sale.

For a $2000 difference, I would probably roll the dice, but on most typical margins ($100-$400 or so) I just don't find the risks associated with shipping fragile large items from sources with questionable product support to justify the "savings".

On some items, "saving" in the beginning will cost you more in the long run.

And I just checked prices at Amazon and Best Buy on the exact TV I bought. Best Buy is $400 more expensive right now plus delivery fees. Free shipping from Amazon.

*Edit - I guess my point is that it depends on how much money is worth a very small gamble to you.

Actually drop shipping from a large online source will often be safer then buying at a box store. If they used bonded known shipping (which the good ones do).

With the box store it is shipped from the same origin (ie: manufacturer) to a distribution warehouse handled by minimum wage workers then moved around a bit, then packed onto a truck by same said workers and shipped to the box store, then handled multiple times by the expert workers in said box store, then brought out to you and handed over. I bought 3 plasmas for one of the poker rooms I worked at in Best Buy, One of them had a cracked screen, one wouldn't turn on, and one worked ok. 1 out of 3 ain't bad.

With the online store they sometimes drop ship direct from the manufacturer otherwise it goes to a warehouse then to you. Either way it is usually handled much less then when it goes through the box store food chain.

Sure with the box store you just bring it back to them instead of dealing with shipping to the online guys....but often they make you ship to the manufacturer anyway. Unless you buy the box stores wonderful extra service agreement

By the way I am an anti-walmart crusader.

I just bought a 42 inch plasma online through best buy, the nice thing about it is if there was a problem with it there are still local stores I can return it too. I probably save 400+ on my TV ordering online.

I'm going to check out Amazon. They sound reputable.

Don't Hate...

67" Samsung HDTV LCD DLP 1080P, came with the stand from Costco for $2,499.

It's a good thing you have all those stickers on the tv to let you know exactly what it is.

I always try to stay one step behind the technology curve.
That way, it's some other ******* paying for the "newness" and I can buy it from him whenever something else new comes out and he wants to sell it.

Early last year, when the price of plasmas and LCD's started to really come down and the price of the "box" TV's started to approach giveaway prices, I accumulated a few big "old school" TV's on craigslist for like $100.
Having a big screen in the bedroom, living room and den is nice, without having to spend $10K to do it.

Nice 15" monitor!

It takes discipline.