In Part 6 we talked about shipping, specifically shipping costs, delivery times and shipping options. This leads us to the 7th and final consideration in the series on buying an LCD flat screen online.
What about cables, accessories and extended warranties?
Over the years we have gotten used to the sales pitch from the salesman at the local store about the importance of an extended warranty. The extended warranty was often times the salesperson’s opportunity to earn an extra commission. Thankfully when ordering online you don’t have to feel pressured into buying that extra extended warranty. Many times you still have the option to purchase it, but is it worth it?
LCD flat screen’s are much more reliable today than they were in years past. If you feel more comfortable and would like extra piece of mind then go ahead and purchase the extended warranty, however most would agree that it is generally not worth the additional cost.
What about cables? This is another area where brick and mortar stores have strategically placed cable displays in order to get you to buy one along with your new flat screen. While you will definitely need a cable, such as an HDMI cable to connect your LCD to your electronics equipment, you do not need to waste your hard earned dollars on an expensive cable, particularly if you have a short cable run of under 10 feet. You will notice little or no improvement from the expensive cables as compared to the cheap cables that you can find online.
I hope this series has given you some insights on buying online and will help take the fear out of purchasing online. With a little research you can confidently go online, knowing pretty much exactly what you are looking for and be able to find a deal that will safely arrive at your house while saving you hundreds of dollars and avoiding the high pressure sales pitches from salespersons with questionable knowledge. I hope you enjoy the process. I am sure you will enjoy that new LCD flat screen for your home theater.
For a review of some of the best LCD flat panel tvs as well as additional information about home theater check out the Family Home Theater Guide.
