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Community weekly poll: Buying off-brand consumer electronics
- 2/13/07 3:19 PM
Today's Name Brands Had to Start Somewhere
by Spacehiker - 2/14/07 5:02 AM In reply to: Buying off-brand consumer electronics by Marc Bennett
Although buying a known entity is important, too much emphesis is put on buying a name brand when it comes to new technology. Think of so many products you use today and take for granted. They were not always a "name brand".
I just purchased a Vizio 42" LCD HDTV after much research. It looks fantastic in every way and it costs hundreds less than the "name brands". Yes, long term reliability is an unknown, but I believe you can tell which company wants to be a long-term player by how they go to market and Vizio wants to be one of those "name brands" in the future.
What is probably the most annoying are those who buy on "snob appeal". A TV is not a car, folks. May the best value win.
More on buying "Off Brand" products
by waltherppk01 - 12/21/08 7:48 AM In reply to: Today's Name Brands Had to Start Somewhere by SpacehikerYes...sometimes it can be risky purchasing a major appliance at Costco. Or so I used to think. I spent $1,700 in 1998 on a Mitsubishi 36'. It was supposed to be the best think out there. Tweeter told me that when the time came, it would play HD. I spent another $300 on the warranty. After three years, the color is shot. I get it fixed. Works for a week and breaks down again. I am about to get it fixed again, when I happen to take a good look in back. S-Video was the best input it had. This TV wasn't going HD. So I throw it out & spend $1800 on a 36" Toshiba. Definitely better than the Mits. Was LCD. Unfortunately, it wasn't widescreen. It started eating away at me. Now to tie it in...I always was the person who said, "Don't buy electronics at Costco. They're 2nd rate." (And in the beginning, this was kind of true. I would always look in the back and their TVs would have only 1 HD input or no true HD inputs) Anyway, my desire for widescreen became close to an addiction. One day, I walk into Costco, and on a whim, grab the 50" Plasma. I don't even know what model. Doesn't say on my remote or the TV. When I hooked it up to DirecTV and my considerable home theater system, I was amazed. I got a 50" Plasma for $1200. That is the best deal, EVER. It was just as good as any other brand and with the features I got, half the price. Now, if only I didn't spill beer on the remote because I'm having a tough time locating a place in the New Haven, CT area that sells them!
THE SELLER RULES HERE! -- THE BUYER IS KING!
by miketoast - 2/14/07 5:33 AM In reply to: Buying off-brand consumer electronics by Marc Bennett
This is a no brainer. There is NO reason to not buy a product from Costco. The product might be a digital camera, it might be groceries. COSTCO has the best return policy in the world. If you buy an off-branded TV, whatever the BRAND or model and if it is not what you expected it to be...... if you feel it is not up to your expectations .... or whatever the reason might be... THEN RETURN IT TO COSTCO.... their return policy is so liberal that you cannot be hurt. COSTCO will accept anything for return, at any time, for any reason. One week, one month, one year....how about 5 years. If you are not pleased.... then return it. You must have your original sales receipt for the refund....so that you can prove your purchase price.
So, if you don't like it for whatever reason.... return it...COSTCO will smile at you and make a prompt refund. Just be sure to fair with them..... don't be a chronic returner and make proper choices beforew you buy... so that you needn't burden yourself or them with frivilous returns or work.
I believe the only exception to their return policy is for COMPUTERS. If you return a COMPUTER, COSTCO ONLY GIVES YOU SIX MONTHS(wow! is that for real) TO MAKE A RETURN. IF YOU THINK THAT'S BAD..... ASK ANY ONE OF THE MAJOR RETAILERS FOR THEIR RETURN POLICY.... and you'll never buy anything again, from anyone but COSTCO !!!!
TO be fair to other sellers.... there are other sellers out there with very liberal and fair return policies..... the writer will be pleased to discuss these with you, also!
.... and they don't argue with you..... they just give you what you want. If you want to hear some horror stories about some national retailers and their policies and attitudes... just contact the writer. I'll tell you a few stories that'll make your hair stand on end!!!
.AND FOR THE RECORD.....I AM NOT A COSTCO EMPLOYEE.... HAVE NEVER BEEN.... AND DON'T ANTICIPATE I EVER WILL. THEY ARE NOT PAYING ME, PROMPTING ME or TWISTING MY ARM. ALL I AM IS A COSTCO BUYER, WHO THINKS THEY'RE GREAT.... and if you buy anything from them and must return it... you'll think they're great, too!
FRANK S.
CONNECTICUT
02/12/07
IT'S PRETTY SIMPLE REALLY....
by gfoley1 - 2/14/07 5:48 AM In reply to: Buying off-brand consumer electronics by Marc Bennett
Simply put, let me ask the question: WHERE ARE YOU GOING TO USE YOUR NEW 46" LCD TV? This determines my price and brand, really.
If you are going to use it in a garage, lounge (bar), any public arena, or a kid's room then yes, an off brand is a big bang for the buck -- go with the off brand.
If you are using this in your very nice Den, or living room area, or entertainment area, then go for the upscale top brands -- don't be cheap, it's your life, and this one of your (if not primary) sources of entertainment! I recommend Sony Bravia, a sure winner, but not for the cheap minded! What are you worth?
Good luck
I struggled with the decision but went name brand
by rungere - 2/14/07 5:53 AM In reply to: Buying off-brand consumer electronics by Marc Bennett
I looked at reviews and specs - found some very promising off brand plasma TVs for a price within my budget. Then I found a vendor on eBay with open box - mostly shipping damage name brand HD sets.
I have a 42" Panasonic with two very small cabnet scratches at my door for under $900.00. The TV is mounted high on the wall and unless your 7' 11" tall you can't see the scratches which are on top of the set.
It's in, it's working, it was well within budget (wife spend difference on a PC - another story) and I'm happy. Off brand, maybe nex time.
Off Brand TV Quality
by Ken Bird - 2/14/07 6:06 AM In reply to: Buying off-brand consumer electronics by Marc Bennett
Like automobiles, if you "rasie-the-hood" of the off brand TVs you will find the same components you find in the high end brand names.The chips, resistors and PC boards are all of the same quality.
Many of the so called off brands are cheaper because they don't have the overhead of the big folks, such as marketing and sales. Because they use off-the-shelf components, they also don't have much invested in engineering costs and many get low cost manufacturing by pooling with some of the big boys.
The only area where they may be weaker is on product support, but many of the retailers can help you with any issues that may develop. Usually if they work well within the first 30 days they are going to perform as designed for a decade or more.
By a retired engineer and marketing person.
Try name brand alternative sources
by jimj100 - 2/14/07 6:37 AM In reply to: Buying off-brand consumer electronics by Marc Bennett
I think about off brands this way: "is it cheap enough that if I throw it away in a couple of years I won't care?" If the answer is no, then I tend toward the best name brands. Once I've picked the brand(s) I want, basted on C/Net reviews, specs, etc. I always shop www.refurbdepot.com I found a 15" Sharp Aquos LCD TV for $150 less than Best Buy or any other source. That put it in the same price range as LG or other "off" brands. There are probably other sites that also sell repackaged goods but I've bought many items from refurbdepot and every one has been like-new with full warranty.
My last thought: Moore's law has found consumer electronics. They now fall into the same category as PCs -- every three years or so you'll want to replace them -- they technology change is just too great. So going with an off-brand makes sense -- do you really think you'll have your new TV for 20 years?
LG LCD HDTV 32"
by rjfitze - 2/14/07 7:20 AM In reply to: Buying off-brand consumer electronics by Marc Bennett
In my search, I purchased the LG LCD HDTV 32" and love it. I paid about $600.00 less than the 32" Samsung and about $800.00 less than the 32" Sony. I compared the refresh rate along with the contrast. My LG has the same quality if not better than 99% of the name brand LCD HDTVs on the market today. Yes, I will purchase a name brand if the quality is higher and if I want to spend the money.
closed captioning
by ravic1942 - 2/14/07 7:26 AM In reply to: Buying off-brand consumer electronics by Marc Bennett
Being deaf, I want to be sure whatever TV I have have good quality of closed captioning. This is where well-known brands shine, Sony and well known brands do very well on closed captioning on HDTV. The lesser known ones are problematic; in fact some of them are downright bad - put captioning in middle of TV; or worse still, the receiving portion is iffy - sometimes it gets captioning and other times not - weak reception or something. I did want to get a lower priced flat-panel HDTV, but ended up getting a 42" Sony HDTV flat-panel cuz they provide excellent closed captioning. So if y'all consider a HDTV, and not growing younger - lot of elderly folks often turn on closed captioning - so with CC and losing hearing, helps them better follow the conversation.
TV's, Cameras, Radios, HiFi and similar ar not computers
by antonaa - 2/14/07 7:34 AM In reply to: Buying off-brand consumer electronics by Marc Bennett
This site has nothing to do with TV's, Cameras, Radios, HiFi and similar . They are not computers and therefore have nothing to do with this site anymore than washing machine kettles or irons.
Where is the tech support?
by coffeecan - 2/14/07 8:16 AM In reply to: Buying off-brand consumer electronics by Marc Bennett
I bought a name brand computer and an off brand flat panel monitor.
The monitor gave me a problem. I tried to contact their tech support. There was no phone contact available. There was a very very slow (72 hours) e-mail contact. It was very discouraging. I returned all elements to point of purchase and bought all matching components with a new computer and new flat panel monitor. I have not had any problems and tech support is available if needed. From there on, I research the recommendations of the critics and try to buy the best of what I can afford. I have had less problems that way. I have to consider my time and my lack of frustration into the equation of buying new stuff. I have owned 17 computers plus monitors and have found that matching components of reputable companies work best for me. Nowadays, I include Samsung and Sharp in the catergory of reputable products. It took them a while but they made it. Of course I include many of the majors in the reputable catergory too. Plus I think I have been lucky with some of the products that I have purchased but by sticking to those products I have about always received good tech support. But being as that I have a little more money now and don't have to depend on just one computer for my work, I do occassionally purchase off brand name products to to try new things. Thanks.
Vizio
by mrbillaaaa - 2/14/07 8:25 AM In reply to: Buying off-brand consumer electronics by Marc Bennett
In reply to the member who said if you bought an off brand you must be Blind....I must be that..I bought a 37 inch Vizio from Walmart after seeing it at Costco..I did a lot of shopping in person and internet. In comparison the Sharp 32 in. was my intentions (CNET and In-store) hands down a great product..BUT when you compare Everything... especially the price($997); compared to $1400; This is a no brainer; I have had this for 4 months with HD DirectTV..All that see it is in awe...The sound is so good I didn't connect my home theatre unit. I recommend it very highly.
VIZIO 47 INCH LCD
by jbthemm - 2/14/07 3:20 PM In reply to: Vizio by mrbillaaaaRECENTLY BOUGHT THIS 47 INCH LCD FROM COSTCO WITH A $250 COUPON, WHICH BROUGHT THE PRICE DOWN TO $1649.00. THE TV IS EXCELLENT, I THOUGHT IT WAS WELL WORTH THE PRICE. I HAVE 4 HD SETS IN THE HOUSE, THIS ONE IS IN A VERY BRIGHT FAMILY ROOM (6 WINDOWS AND AN 8 FOOT SLIDING GLASS DOOR)AND THERE IS NO PROBLEM SEEING IT CLEARLY IN BROAD DAYLIGHT. NO GLARE WHATSOEVER. THE WINDOWS ARE UNCOVERED AS THIS IS A NEW FAMILY ROOM UNDER CONSTRUCTION. GOTTA HAVE A TV WHILE I WORK!! I ALSO BOUGHT A 32 INCH VIZIO FROM COSTCO, TOOK IT BACK, THE PICTURE QUALITY WAS INFERIOR. THAT WAS PROBABLY A DIFFERENT MANUFACTURER. I READ THAT VIZIO IS A SMALL COMPANY OF ONLY 55 EMPLOYEES, SO I KNOW THEY DO NOT MAKE WHAT THEY SELL. BUT THEY SELL AT A LOWER PROFIT MARGIN TO JUST A FEW RETAIL OUTLETS TO KEEP COSTS LOW. MARKUP IS AROUND 10 % VERSUS 25% AND HIGHER FOR NAME BRANDS. THE BIG ELECTRONICS COMPANIES DON'T WANT THEM ON THEIR FLOOR, TAKES AWAY SALES FROM HIGHER PROFIT TV'S. ONE OTHER GOOD THING ABOUT VIZIO IS YOU CAN BUY THE EXTENDED WARRANTY FROM THEM UP UNTIL THE LAST DAY OF YOUR FACTORY WARRANTY. CHGECK OUT THEIR WEBSITE, THE PRICES THEY LIST ARE CURRENT COSTCO PRICES
ACER 32" LCD HDTV -- Perfect fit for us.
by gerryhand - 2/14/07 8:52 AM In reply to: Buying off-brand consumer electronics by Marc Bennett
This television has great sound and a superior picture quality to most that I have viewed in the Big Stores. It was rated quite high when I checked it on the internet against other sets too. I chose this size because our viewing room is smaller and we watch this television from a distance of about 7 feet. A 42 inch seemed to be not as clear (focused) at this distance. The screen is not shiny and window relections are not a problem like they would have been with a plasma set. They joy is I purchased it from the electronics store I regularly deal (tech support) with and the Christmas price was under $900.00 Canadian.
Konka 32" HD LCD TV
by sevenrx - 2/14/07 9:07 AM In reply to: Buying off-brand consumer electronics by Marc Bennett
My daughter bought a big Dell Plasma TV which has a beautiful picture, which got me to thinking about the new generation of TV. I had sort of looked at the different ways to go, but right before Xmas I saw the Konka on display and checked the performance which was about the same as everything else and the price was hundreds lower than everything, so I thought as a beginners TV. Why not? I'm happy to say it is one of the best buys I've ever made, and I've learned a lot of new terminology, and ways of connection. The picture is great, I'm partially deaf, so I've been told the sound is good, lol. Who ever heard of Konka?
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