Shopping for a 3D TV at Big Yellow? You might be underwhelmed by the retail experience. (And so might TV manufacturers, if they stopped by for a visit!)
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HDTV Expert - 3D TV at Best Buy: An afterthought?
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720pete
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hdtvjim
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HDTV Expert - 3D TV at Best Buy: An afterthought?
In the early days of HDTV we went through this similar scenario. The stores would have the big screen HDTVs displaying NTSC or DVD via RF in standard definition. People would wonder and say "That doesn’t look any better than regular TV."
Today we are at the beginnings of 3D. It is like a learning curve all over again. The facts that all 3D glasses are not the same (linear and circular polarization and shutter glasses) are an example.
The other is the delivery which is invisible to the viewer. What am I looking at, is it left/right squeezed, top and bottom or checkerboard. There is a lot to know when going in to buy a 3D HDTV and the sales people at this time probably don't even have a clue as to what is going on. The buyer needs to know a little about this new technology or its “Buyer Beware”.
Like I say we are in a new learning curve on 3D.
Today we are at the beginnings of 3D. It is like a learning curve all over again. The facts that all 3D glasses are not the same (linear and circular polarization and shutter glasses) are an example.
The other is the delivery which is invisible to the viewer. What am I looking at, is it left/right squeezed, top and bottom or checkerboard. There is a lot to know when going in to buy a 3D HDTV and the sales people at this time probably don't even have a clue as to what is going on. The buyer needs to know a little about this new technology or its “Buyer Beware”.
Like I say we are in a new learning curve on 3D.
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alice
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Best Buy Disaster
Personally i completely agree with your shopping experience at Best Buy. Recently a client come runing over to take me to the Samsung 3d display at Future shop.. We went & it was dismal. The one pair of glasses used for trial were not even properly connected and the display was set up just in front of the other tvs clamoring for attention.
People can make informed decisions by reading educational articles by yourself, Rudofolo, Richard amomg others and then go to a independent speciality retailer who pays attention to setup and is informed.
Secondly they must realize that interior designer approved 46" & under tv is not good fit for the hd experience They need min of quality built 50" and pfererably 60 as a starter and pay attention to viewing distance & lighting control.
Thirdly & very important: PRICE IS ONLY PART OF THE PACKAGE They need a subscription HD service , calibration and quality cables.
Fourth be educated that Best Buy & it's ilk are not YOUR FRIEND They exist to sell you product and ill equiped for sale or presentation of new or cutting technology. They will serve you best in your need of a cd or other basic supplies.
People can make informed decisions by reading educational articles by yourself, Rudofolo, Richard amomg others and then go to a independent speciality retailer who pays attention to setup and is informed.
Secondly they must realize that interior designer approved 46" & under tv is not good fit for the hd experience They need min of quality built 50" and pfererably 60 as a starter and pay attention to viewing distance & lighting control.
Thirdly & very important: PRICE IS ONLY PART OF THE PACKAGE They need a subscription HD service , calibration and quality cables.
Fourth be educated that Best Buy & it's ilk are not YOUR FRIEND They exist to sell you product and ill equiped for sale or presentation of new or cutting technology. They will serve you best in your need of a cd or other basic supplies.
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720pete
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3D TV at Best Buy
One of the regional chains, 6th Avenue Electronics, recently opened here in Pennsylvania right down the street from best Buy and HH Gregg. So pricing has gotten VERY aggressive. There's also a Sears across the street at the shopping mall and they sometimes beat everyone's price.
BB makes a big deal out of the fact that their salespeople don't work on commission. Well, there is something to be said for commissions if it means your salespeople are more knowledgeable...
Anyway, with all of that competition within 1/2 a mile, you don't need to shop online. Prices are low enough that even with the 6% tax you still get a good deal.
BB makes a big deal out of the fact that their salespeople don't work on commission. Well, there is something to be said for commissions if it means your salespeople are more knowledgeable...
Anyway, with all of that competition within 1/2 a mile, you don't need to shop online. Prices are low enough that even with the 6% tax you still get a good deal.
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stevekaden
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My experience has been similar, but I have to say, the demo's outside of the Magnolia inset have been better. The Magnolia zone seems to be like some sort of ego trip for the sales people. It's dark, it's got the good stuff, it's got the 'cool'. But virtually never does anyone help, the equipment is jammed in and setup poorly. It's like their staff is just too cool with the zone to do their job. The word Pompous comes to mind.
Best Buy is a somewhat an all you can eat buffet. May look good, may get a good deal, but boy does the grease (sleaze factor) leave a bad taste and indigestion.
Best Buy is a somewhat an all you can eat buffet. May look good, may get a good deal, but boy does the grease (sleaze factor) leave a bad taste and indigestion.
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Roger Halstead
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My experience was much better
My experience at BB was much better when it came to HDTV. Of course like any chain the store is no better than its employees (and management)
HDTV was really HD and they could show me OTA or the typical "all sets playing the same movie" and the sets appeared to be properly set up. The viewing area was fairly well lit and *most* (I must emphasize the most) of the clerks appeared to know what they were talking about. There were a couple of exceptions, but they at least knew enough to find some one who could answer the questions with at least a bit of knowledge. I understand that even though this store is one of the smaller ones it is the highest grossing store in the whole area. Their might possibly be a reason for a relatively small (and I do mean relatively as that place is big) compared to some of the stores within 20 to 30 miles that are twice it's size or more.
Possibly this is due to the large number of colleges and universities within 20 miles that have electronics programs as well as the high number growing up in technically oriented familiers.
I've not had the opportunity to even look at their 3D display. I'm happy with my current HD and I have too many high ticket items with much higher priorities than a 3D TV set along with remodeling.
HDTV was really HD and they could show me OTA or the typical "all sets playing the same movie" and the sets appeared to be properly set up. The viewing area was fairly well lit and *most* (I must emphasize the most) of the clerks appeared to know what they were talking about. There were a couple of exceptions, but they at least knew enough to find some one who could answer the questions with at least a bit of knowledge. I understand that even though this store is one of the smaller ones it is the highest grossing store in the whole area. Their might possibly be a reason for a relatively small (and I do mean relatively as that place is big) compared to some of the stores within 20 to 30 miles that are twice it's size or more.
Possibly this is due to the large number of colleges and universities within 20 miles that have electronics programs as well as the high number growing up in technically oriented familiers.
I've not had the opportunity to even look at their 3D display. I'm happy with my current HD and I have too many high ticket items with much higher priorities than a 3D TV set along with remodeling.