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Panasonic 42" Plasma HDTV Television - $699.99 ($999.99) @ Sears.com


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Posted

Anyone who is interested in this tv would be better off to go to Best buy if you want to get an extended warrenty. I got this TV the on black friday not knowing that they would be running this the next week as a normal sale price. I could have saved $100 by going to best buy the following week and having them price match it. On top of that I would have gotten and addition 1 year on the warrentty for $199 versus $299. I was going to return the tv and get it from BB for the extra warrenty time, but there is a 15% restocking fee at sears.....

 

So far it's been a great tv for the base price of 699. HD looks great on it and the SD and DVD looks good also.

Posted

Buy any 32" class or larger HDTV and get a Harmony 520 universal remote for $59.99 starting tomorrow 1/4/09.

 

If you'd prefer the Advanced Universal rather than just the universal there is a 10% rebate for it @ costco dot com/Images/Content/Misc/PDF/104355.pdf (I'm not here long enough to post URLs so you'll have to fix this yourselves.

 

I hope this helps!

Posted

Who has it for $629? Its $799 at BestBuy (if its lower somewhere.. let me know, my bro purchased the 42 and he can get a price adjustment)

I think he did the same thing I did with my math when I first started looking at tv's, 10% off the price diffence (799-699=$100), which is an additional $10. Not 10% off the normal store price which would be $79.99.

Posted

The customer service section on the BB website says they don't price match competitor's prices, only their own.

My bb does all stores! They even have the ads of cc and ultimate electronics in the store on the bulliten board.

Posted
I would NOT recommend a Panasonic TV to anyone!!!! We have a 50" Panasonic LCD and have had nothing but problems with it! There is a class action suit against Panasonic because of their TVs. The ballast are know to go bad quickly and are VERY expensive to fix (most are just past the warranty expiration) and the lamps do not last nearly as long as the claim and they cost $300 to replace. If I hadn't spent so much money on it, I would just throw it out and be done with it!!
Posted
There are so many of these on the market right now that the price has got to come down more. Even the local grocery store (HyVee) has these TV for $699.00 and I live in a very small town..with TV's in the grocery store??
Posted

I can't speak about the panasonic LCD's because I've never owned an LCD for anything other than a comp monitor---but this PLASMA TV (what the post is for--not an LCD) is beautiful. I've owned it for about 6 months and just love the picture quality.

 

I've had plasmas for a few years now--wouldn't trade for the world or an LCD. currently in the house we have 2 42" panasonics (this model) one 50" samsung and another 50" panasonic (this model, next size) all plasma--all used and abused on a regular basis without a problem to speak of so far (knock on wood)

 

panasonic plasmas are actually one of the top rated plasma televisions out there--google them and read the reviews. I'm sorry to hear that you've had problems with your LCD though, maybe next go-round you'll consider plasma

 

I would NOT recommend a Panasonic TV to anyone!!!! We have a 50" Panasonic LCD and have had nothing but problems with it! There is a class action suit against Panasonic because of their TVs. The ballast are know to go bad quickly and are VERY expensive to fix (most are just past the warranty expiration) and the lamps do not last nearly as long as the claim and they cost $300 to replace. If I hadn't spent so much money on it, I would just throw it out and be done with it!!

Posted

I can't speak about the panasonic LCD's because I've never owned an LCD for anything other than a comp monitor---but this PLASMA TV (what the post is for--not an LCD) is beautiful. I've owned it for about 6 months and just love the picture quality.

 

--all used and abused on a regular basis without a problem to speak of so far (knock on wood)

 

Give it time;) And when it happens, you'll see what I'm talking about. The class action lawsuit against Panasonic for it's tvs speaks for itsself about the amount of problems people are having with them:(

Posted

In agreement with shopsalot and doing the math...Amazon is a better deal even at $726.99 considering the following:

 

No Tax (for me it would be 7% which is around $50.00 @ Sears)

Not having to deal with Sears' nonsense

Shipping is free to your door with white glove delivery

 

Just my 2 cents....

Posted

I would NOT recommend a Panasonic TV to anyone!!!! We have a 50" Panasonic LCD and have had nothing but problems with it! There is a class action suit against Panasonic because of their TVs. The ballast are know to go bad quickly and are VERY expensive to fix (most are just past the warranty expiration) and the lamps do not last nearly as long as the claim and they cost $300 to replace. If I hadn't spent so much money on it, I would just throw it out and be done with it!!

Might want to check your tv types again. Any tv with a lamp and/or a ballast are bulbed based tv's, Which means either rear projection tv's or DLP tv's. Neither one accounts for this style of tv. Bulbs always have to be replaced in these styels of tv, the same as your bulb in the lamp in your house. How long they last is based on usage. Panny makes the seconds plasmas on the market right now. They currently are making the best plasmas for the price range, surprising Vizio is the second best in the same price range.

 

LCD tv's are a whole other beast and are knowing the have some issue. As for you having a bad lcd panny, I can't attest to the LCD ones from panasonic as to how good or bad they are. Sorry to hear you are having a rough time with it though if it's truely an LCD (which based on your statement I don't think it is).

 

BB will price match any local ad as long as they have it in stock (the local place, not BB they'll still price match even if they have to get it from the wearhouse). You just need to ask the sales person about it.

Posted

Ok, first of all.. the reference thread is a dead deal now anyway lol.. BUT...

 

1st Panasonic offered replacement bulbs in 2006 as part of the age old "class action lawsuit" with LCD Projection TVs

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2006/09/panasonic_settlement.html

 

2nd.. were we even talking about LCD projection TVs? Wasnt this about Panasonic Plasma TVs?

 

3rd... Who on earth HASNT had a class action lawsuit against them in this sue-happy land in the past 20 years? I bet you could google just about any major company and find that someone has sued them for something they soured over. Cars have recalls, McDonalds has hot coffee, WalMart buys from overseas, free is never free.. come on people. One class action lawsuit over one type of TV.. not bad at all! Some lawyer pocks a couple million and has a bunch of consumers to thank.

 

So.. did I mention I love my new Plasma Panasonic 50in TV that I scored for $809 LOL

Posted

Might want to check your tv types again. Any tv with a lamp and/or a ballast are bulbed based tv's, Which means either rear projection tv's or DLP tv's. Neither one accounts for this style of tv. Bulbs always have to be replaced in these styels of tv, the same as your bulb in the lamp in your house. How long they last is based on usage. Panny makes the seconds plasmas on the market right now. They currently are making the best plasmas for the price range, surprising Vizio is the second best in the same price range.

 

LCD tv's are a whole other beast and are knowing the have some issue. As for you having a bad lcd panny, I can't attest to the LCD ones from panasonic as to how good or bad they are. Sorry to hear you are having a rough time with it though if it's truely an LCD (which based on your statement I don't think it is).

 

BB will price match any local ad as long as they have it in stock (the local place, not BB they'll still price match even if they have to get it from the wearhouse). You just need to ask the sales person about it.

I absolutely KNOW what my tv is and that is an LCD Panasonic and it DOES have a lamp and a ballast (both of which have been replaced)

http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-PT-50LC13-TheaterWide-HDTV-Ready-Projection/dp/B0000AHOBP

And oh yeah, Vizio Plasmas are junk too. A friend bought one in June of 2008 and it is now a paper weight that the company is just giving them the run around for even though it is still under warranty.

 

I was merely stating I wouldn't waste my money on a Panasonic again with the history I have had with them.

Guess opinions aren't allowed on gottadeal anymore:rolleyes:

Posted

Ok, first of all.. the reference thread is a dead deal now anyway lol.. BUT...

 

1st Panasonic offered replacement bulbs in 2006 as part of the age old "class action lawsuit" with LCD Projection TVs

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2006/09/panasonic_settlement.html

 

2nd.. were we even talking about LCD projection TVs? Wasnt this about Panasonic Plasma TVs?

 

3rd... Who on earth HASNT had a class action lawsuit against them in this sue-happy land in the past 20 years? I bet you could google just about any major company and find that someone has sued them for something they soured over. Cars have recalls, McDonalds has hot coffee, WalMart buys from overseas, free is never free.. come on people. One class action lawsuit over one type of TV.. not bad at all! Some lawyer pocks a couple million and has a bunch of consumers to thank.

 

So.. did I mention I love my new Plasma Panasonic 50in TV that I scored for $809 LOL

Awesome deal! Where did you find it? The best I've found so far is a SANYO from Walmart for 898.

Posted

guilliam you have the same TV I have it is an LCD but it is also a rear projection tv that is why you had to have the bulb and ballast changed. With a rear projection tvs they use a bulb to show the picture. When we first bought our tv, 1 year after we got it the bulb went. Luckily we bought the BB extended warranty which covered the bulb. They replaced it and told us we would get a longer time out of the new bulb than the original one. When the bulb is replaced in a rear projection TV it is like getting a brand new TV. It has now been 3 years since we had that changed and we are waiting for it to go again. The LCD TVs that are now being sold (ones that goes on the wall) do not have a bulb in them to go since they are not rear projection tvs. I have already told DH that when the bulb goes again (it costs $400and we are now out of warranty) we will be getting a new TV and it will be going on the wall.

I hope this clears up any misunderstanding, and I hope I explained it ok. I know there are certain words and terms for things but I tried to explain it the way it was explained to me. My DH actually loves his TV and it will be an argument when we have to get a new one, but I wont keep replacing the bulb unless it goes under $100 and lasts a while. I am of course knocking on wood that it does not go for a few years.

 

I absolutely KNOW what my tv is and that is an LCD Panasonic and it DOES have a lamp and a ballast (both of which have been replaced)

http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-PT-50LC13-TheaterWide-HDTV-Ready-Projection/dp/B0000AHOBP

And oh yeah, Vizio Plasmas are junk too. A friend bought one in June of 2008 and it is now a paper weight that the company is just giving them the run around for even though it is still under warranty.

 

I was merely stating I wouldn't waste my money on a Panasonic again with the history I have had with them.

Guess opinions aren't allowed on gottadeal anymore:rolleyes:

Posted
We have a Hitachi and had to replace a bulb at the end of the warranty and cost $200, but its been 2yrs since then, so hopefully they last longer. I have always had good luck with Panasonic tvs. But, I dont have this version.
Posted (edited)

Guilliam, you know we all value your opinions....quaint as they might be.... :) just kidding.

 

Some clarifiying statements need to be made here. The VAST majority of HD TV's out there today fall into 2 primary categories:

1.) thin flat screen that you can hang on a wall (like Plasma and LCD)

2.) rear projection (like CRT, LCD or DLP rear projection TV's)

 

Type 1 above is what most people think of in their minds when they think HDTV's anymore and the type of TV the original post was about. I don't have any hard numbers, but I would guess that they also make up the lion-share of what's purchased anymore as well. This wasn't always the case though. When LCD's and Plasmas were brand new, they cost A LOT more than the rear projection TV's....$4000 for the cheapest one available. Rear projection TV's were able to utilize some older, already proven technology to provide a HD picture for less money. There were tradeoff's of course, but it was certainly the most cost effective option for a HDTV at the time.

 

Type 2 was much more common 2 or 3 years ago, when Guilliam bought theirs. Yes, it is an HDTV. Yes it utilizes an LCD. Yes, it was made by Panasonic. But is not at all the same as the TV in the original post. Since then Panasonic has earned a reputation as one of the best, bar none, in the Plasma screen market. And they make very good LCD's as well. But most manufacturers have moved away from the rear projection TV's as its old technology and has expensive pitfalls (regular bulb replacements even when everything works perfectly).

 

An LCD rear projection TV IS NOT the same as an LCD HDTV as it is commonly referred to. Vastly different components and design. And an LCD rear projection TV has even less in comon with a Plasma TV. I like analogies, so here's one: Comparing an LCD rear projection to an LCD to a Plasma would be like comparing a Honda Civic to a Honda Ridgeline to an Acura TSX. Yes, they are all made by the same company, and yes they are all designed to get you from point A to point B, but the cost is different and they really don't share much at all in components (maybe the odd button or bezel here and there).

 

Now, there are tons of arguments on the LCD vs. Plasma scene that I won't get into here, but I thought the above explanation was warranted to make sure we were comparing apples to apples as it were.

 

Me, I prefer Plasma. I own a Panasonic Plasma HDTV I bought on Black Friday two years ago. One of the panels went out on my Panasonic Plasma HDTV about 9 months after I bought it, but Panasonic gave me the royal treatment and really took care of me well. (They provided an exact in home replacement while they took mine away to repair it at ZERO cost to me.) I've had no problems since then.

 

Hope this helps.

 

 

- Dan

Edited by Pnambic
Posted

Well said Dan!

 

Very well documented explanation of the tv technology differences.

 

Speaking from experience, I can tell you that the Panasonic Plasma sets are virtually "bulletproof". I have the 50" 720p Viera which I purchased from Costco.com over two years ago (paid $1999, got free in-home delivery). I also was able to get the $200 Panasonic rebate (ordered the Firedog Circuit City installation, printed off the receipt, then cancelled the order).

 

I just went back to Costco with my original receipt to inquire on returning my pannie for a new 1090p Pannie... told me "no problem", but bring the remote control and user manual. Told them I would do one better and repack it in the original box. So, I will receive a refund of $1999 (plus sales tax), then purchase a new 1080p Panny Plasma for $1449 (ok, I will wait a few weeks until it goes back down to $1200) and pocket the difference! What a deal! Two year old 720p Plasma traded in for a new 1080p Plasma (gotta run those blu-ray discs on the PS3), with a SD card slot and other new features.

 

Unfortunately, Costco changed their unlimited return policy Feb 2007, so if you made a purchase after this return policy change date, you only have 90 days for a return.

Posted

Guilliam, you know we all value your opinions....quaint as they might be.... :) just kidding.

 

Some clarifiying statements need to be made here. The VAST majority of HD TV's out there today fall into 2 primary categories:

1.) thin flat screen that you can hang on a wall (like Plasma and LCD)

2.) rear projection (like CRT, LCD or DLP rear projection TV's)

 

Type 1 above is what most people think of in their minds when they think HDTV's anymore and the type of TV the original post was about. I don't have any hard numbers, but I would guess that they also make up the lion-share of what's purchased anymore as well. This wasn't always the case though. When LCD's and Plasmas were brand new, they cost A LOT more than the rear projection TV's....$4000 for the cheapest one available. Rear projection TV's were able to utilize some older, already proven technology to provide a HD picture for less money. There were tradeoff's of course, but it was certainly the most cost effective option for a HDTV at the time.

 

Type 2 was much more common 2 or 3 years ago, when Guilliam bought theirs. Yes, it is an HDTV. Yes it utilizes an LCD. Yes, it was made by Panasonic. But is not at all the same as the TV in the original post. Since then Panasonic has earned a reputation as one of the best, bar none, in the Plasma screen market. And they make very good LCD's as well. But most manufacturers have moved away from the rear projection TV's as its old technology and has expensive pitfalls (regular bulb replacements even when everything works perfectly).

 

An LCD rear projection TV IS NOT the same as an LCD HDTV as it is commonly referred to. Vastly different components and design. And an LCD rear projection TV has even less in comon with a Plasma TV. I like analogies, so here's one: Comparing an LCD rear projection to an LCD to a Plasma would be like comparing a Honda Civic to a Honda Ridgeline to an Acura TSX. Yes, they are all made by the same company, and yes they are all designed to get you from point A to point B, but the cost is different and they really don't share much at all in components (maybe the odd button or bezel here and there).

 

Now, there are tons of arguments on the LCD vs. Plasma scene that I won't get into here, but I thought the above explanation was warranted to make sure we were comparing apples to apples as it were.

 

Me, I prefer Plasma. I own a Panasonic Plasma HDTV I bought on Black Friday two years ago. One of the panels went out on my Panasonic Plasma HDTV about 9 months after I bought it, but Panasonic gave me the royal treatment and really took care of me well. (They provided an exact in home replacement while they took mine away to repair it at ZERO cost to me.) I've had no problems since then.

 

Hope this helps.

 

 

- Dan

thanks, I didn't really feel like typing all that to clarify my point with the TV differences. I'm looking at a DLP for the cost saves in the screen size, but I'm going to go with the LED based one so I don't have to deal with the lamps and color wheels the bulb based ones are knowing to have issues with.

Posted

I think he did the same thing I did with my math when I first started looking at tv's, 10% off the price diffence (799-699=$100), which is an additional $10. Not 10% off the normal store price which would be $79.99.

 

It is 10% off 699.99 Not 10 bucks.. If it was only 10 bucks no one would bother. And the store who is doing the PM will not get any more biz they the reg biz. Buy giving them 10% of the lowest price they know they have a sell.. :yup:

Posted (edited)

It is 10% off 699.99 Not 10 bucks.. If it was only 10 bucks no one would bother. And the store who is doing the PM will not get any more biz they the reg biz. Buy giving them 10% of the lowest price they know they have a sell.. :yup:

BestBuy's Official Store Price Guarantee

 

I'm not saying its impossible for you to get some new store manager that doesn't know what they're doing who accidentally refunds you 10 times what they're supposed to, but I am suggesting that you don't count on it. :)

 

Paraphrased:

They will refund 110% of the price difference - only if you purchased it from BestBuy and then found Sears (or some other competitor) advertising it cheaper.

 

So, if we know we can get it at Sea rs for $699...

And we know we can get it at BestB uy for $799...

(had to put the odd looking spaces in there in order to get the links to work...)

 

To get the best deal, you would need to purchase the TV from BestBuy at $799 and then show them proof that Sears is selling it for $699. Then, according to BestBuy's Store Price Guarantee, they will refund you $110 (110% of the price difference).

 

So your final cost would then be $799 - $110 = $689 from Best Buy. (plus taxes and all that of course)

 

Please keep in mind though, that proof of Sears' sale price may not be easy to provide. For example, some BestBuy's will not honor a competitor's website-only price. (Heck, I've been to stores that wouldn't honor their OWN website-only price.) Or, if Sears sells out, they will probably refuse to match the price as well.

 

Two years ago, to play Best Buy against Circuit City for exactly this reason, I had to actually buy a second TV from BestBuy (didn't bother picking it up) and took the receipt to Circuit City to use as proof. Then I simply returned to BestBuy and cancelled my purchase. It was novel at the time, but I'm not sure it would be worth my time anymore.

 

 

Hope this helps. I think this is a very good price for a very good TV and hope plenty of you fine folks take advantage of it (I've forwarded the info to a friend of mine personally) but I want you all to be perfectly aware of what to expect come time to pay up.

 

- Dan

Edited by Pnambic
Posted

BestBuy's Official Store Price Guarantee

 

I'm not saying its impossible for you to get some new store manager that doesn't know what they're doing who accidentally refunds you 10 times what they're supposed to, but I am suggesting that you don't count on it. :)

 

Paraphrased:

They will refund 110% of the price difference - only if you purchased it from BestBuy and then found Sears (or some other competitor) advertising it cheaper.

 

So, if we know we can get it at Sea rs for $699...

And we know we can get it at BestB uy for $799...

(had to put the odd looking spaces in there in order to get the links to work...)

 

To get the best deal, you would need to purchase the TV from BestBuy at $799 and then show them proof that Sears is selling it for $699. Then, according to BestBuy's Store Price Guarantee, they will refund you $110 (110% of the price difference).

 

So your final cost would then be $799 - $110 = $689 from Best Buy. (plus taxes and all that of course)

 

Please keep in mind though, that proof of Sears' sale price may not be easy to provide. For example, some BestBuy's will not honor a competitor's website-only price. (Heck, I've been to stores that wouldn't honor their OWN website-only price.) Or, if Sears sells out, they will probably refuse to match the price as well.

 

Two years ago, to play Best Buy against Circuit City for exactly this reason, I had to actually buy a second TV from BestBuy (didn't bother picking it up) and took the receipt to Circuit City to use as proof. Then I simply returned to BestBuy and cancelled my purchase. It was novel at the time, but I'm not sure it would be worth my time anymore.

 

 

Hope this helps. I think this is a very good price for a very good TV and hope plenty of you fine folks take advantage of it (I've forwarded the info to a friend of mine personally) but I want you all to be perfectly aware of what to expect come time to pay up.

 

- Dan

I have already Bought it @ 629.99 I found out BB dont do 110% Anymore so I went to CC. :yup: The store wants your biz so they will offer 10% off the lowest price. This is why it is 110% off.. If I have to drive across town to save 10 bucks on a 700.00 dollar Item. There would be no way I or 98% of people would do that. But I saved 70.00 And will worth driving across town.

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