Buying a new television online a growing trend

As our beloved Boston Red Sox limp toward the playoffs, many diehards are considering upgrading their old television sets with larger ones that have much better resolution so they can watch Manny park one in the upper decks in style.

Shopping in large retail stores for these items seems to be an experience only a step or two behind having a tooth extracted. Store sales staff tend to be young, pushy and far from as trained or knowledgeable as the average consumer would prefer. What are the trends and how is the consumer going about the business of acquiring a new window-to-the-world for the home?

According to Consumer Reports and other publications, today’s television shopper is doing much more buying online for these high-end products. Consumer satisfaction research shows that the shopping experience is much higher with Internet sales than at the large retailer. Savings online also can be as large as $300 to $400 per unit more than at the larger retail stores. Consumers are put off by undertrained and aggressive college or high school students who work part time but try to come across as experienced staff on the sales floor. Consumers are looking for knowledgeable salespeople who ease up on the hard sell tactics.

Not only do salespeople tend to be pushy for the new TV product, but also they push extended warranties, which have little or no value in Maine. Consumers must remember that Maine has an implied warranty law that provides protection for up to four years after the sale. This is a state statute, and you do not have to pay a penny for that coverage.

Let’s face it. There are countless choices to be made when selecting a new TV. Trying to make fair comparisons is tricky, if not downright mind-boggling. Issues such as screen size, type of set, HDTV and sound systems can all factor in to completely bamboozle the consumer.

Today’s savvy shopper can hop online, read reviews from www.CNET.com and other sites, which not only provide a treasure trove of comparison categories, but also one- or two-minute videos on the features of the model in which you are interested. These sites also give information related to a wide number of vendors, including price comparisons. Once you’ve made your decision and with a few keystrokes and your trusty credit card, your choice will be shipped out directly to your home without delay. What could be simpler?

Low-tech product comparisons are valuable to making the final decision. What are your friends and neighbors buying and what do they have to say about their purchasing and operating experiences? Sometimes rebates are a part of the decision process. I am extremely rebate-averse and frequently tell sales personnel, “You keep the rebates and other gimmicks and just give me a lower price.” Usually this recommendation gets ignored.

Another quick bit of advice about warranties: When paying by credit card, you have many more warranty and repair rights, backed up by your credit card carrier. Consider using your plastic for more purchasing protection of your television investment.

The end of the major league baseball season may be the perfect time to begin a new and satisfying relationship with a fancy large-screen television with all the bells and whistles. Let’s hope the viewing will be first class and the Boys from Beantown still will be there at the end of the World Series.

Consumer Forum is a collaboration of the Bangor Daily News and Northeast CONTACT, Maine’s membership funded nonprofit consumer organization. Individual and business memberships are available at modest rates. Interested and motivated prospective volunteers are always needed and welcomed to apply to help with our mission. For assistance with consumer-related issues, including consumer fraud and identity theft, or for more information, write: Consumer Forum, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402-1329.