Big name TV makers including Sony and Samsung now require dealers to limit advertised 2011 HDTV sale discounts to just 10% off the “regular” or “MAP” prices, according to industry sources. If you haven’t yet noticed this pricing requirement, look at this week’s circulars. We have.
The result of this new advertised pricing policy is that consumers will be paying more and dealers will reap bigger profits. Who loses out? You do. There are money saving ways around this 10% discount limit and we’ll get into those here, but first: HD Guru looked at next week’s Best Buy (BB) circular (May 8-14) with the cover touting “Our Lowest Advertised Prices Ever” and here are ten examples of  what we found:
Sony KDL46BX420 46″ LCD 60Hz 1080p Reg. $899.99 Now $809.99 10% off
Samsung LN40D550 40″ LCD 60Hz 1080p Reg. $699.99 Now $629.99 10% off
Panasonic TC-L32U3 32″ LCD 60Hz 1080p Reg. $499.99 Now $449.99 10% off
Toshiba 24SL410 24″ LCD 60Hz 1080p Reg. $299.99 Now $269.99 10% off
Panasonic TC-P42S30 42″ Plasma 600Hz 1080p Reg. 799.99 Now $719.99 10% off
Samsung PN51D450 51″ Plasma 600Hz 720p Reg. 799.99 Now 719.99 10% off
Panasonic TC-P50S30 50″ Plasma 600Hz 1080p Reg. 1099.99 Now $989.99 10% off
Panasonic TC-P50ST30 50″ Plasma 600Hz 1080p 3D Reg. $1499.99 Now $1349.99 10% off
Samsung UN40D6000 40″ LED LCD 120Hz 1080p Reg. $1099.99 Now $999.99 10% off
Samsung UN46D6000 46″ LED LCD 120Hz 1080p Reg. $1299.99 Now $1169.99 10% off
How to Beat The System-Plan A
Use the Internet to find the same set for a less money. We went to Amazon (and their affiliated dealers) to find better prices on all the sets above except the Sonys (their agreement appears to include Internet dealers). The prices range from 12.6% to 23% off regular (MAP) price.
Below are the best Amazon deals on the Best Buy sale TVs with links. All have free shipping. Note: prices are correct as of posting and may change at any time, please verify with our links; Most states do not collect sales tax on Amazon orders [with the exceptions of CO, KS, KY, NY, ND & WA]. You always must pay sales tax when buying at any brick and mortar store. Should you buy an HDTV from on-line or from a retail store? Learn all the pros and cons in our article here.
(Note: TV Makers from time to time may offer special limited time dealer incentives that will allow a dealer to advertise a bigger discount in order to move a model building up in the manufacturer’s inventory, however we only found two exceptions out of fourteen big name TVs in next week’s BB circular)
Samsung LN40D550 40-Inch 1080p 60Hz LCD HDTV (Black)
Panasonic VIERA TC-L32U3 32-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV
Toshiba 24SL410 24-Inch 1080p 60 Hz LED HDTV, Black
Panasonic VIERA TC-P42S30 42-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV
Samsung PN51D450 51-Inch 720p 600Hz Plasma HDTV (Black)
Panasonic VIERA TC-P50S30 50-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV
Panasonic VIERA TC-P50ST30 50-Inch 1080p 3D Plasma HDTV
Samsung UN40D6000 40-Inch 1080p 120Hz LED HDTV (Black)
Samsung UN46D6000 46-Inch 1080p 120Hz LED HDTV (Black)
Plan B
Consider a leftover 2010 model. The ones listed below are all heavily discounted. Most of the performance improvements in 2011 relate to 3D. Here are some of the best selling remaining 2010 models on Amazon.
Toshiba 55WX800U 55-Inch 1080p 240 Hz Cinema Series 3D LED TV, Black
Toshiba 46WX800U 46-Inch 1080p 240 Hz Cinema Series 3D LED TV, Black
Samsung LN46C630 46-Inch 1080p 120 Hz LCD HDTV (Black)
Panasonic VIERA TC-P42GT25 42-inch 1080p 3D Plasma HDTV, Black
Samsung LN46C750 46-Inch 1080p 3D LCD HDTV (Black)
Samsung UN55C7000 55-Inch 1080p 240 Hz 3D LED HDTV (Black)
Plan C
Negotiate with your local dealer. The TV business is slow and dealers are allowed to discount more than the 10% (they just can’t advertise it). To learn where and how to negotiate the best deal,  read our linked article.
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