A lot of people are going to be buying a television because their old set just won’t be good enough to watch the Super Bowl. While I congratulate the enthusiasm, what I don’t want is for anyone to go and make any stupid mistakes just because they were told that they would get a great deal (You can find our pre-Super Bowl ads here and here). Thanks to Consumer Reports, here are 10 tips to consider before handing over your credit/debit card and getting your new set.
1. Read the fine print. Ads for the Super Bowl are already out there, so scour them for hard-to-meet terms and conditions. Some may stipulate that deals are in-store-only specials. Others may be available only during select hours, or require you to pay the full price up front, then file for a rebate (which can involve an arduous redemption process). Also, check to see if the item you want is available “in limited quantities,” which will likely be sold out by the time you get there.
2. Look for a store with a price guarantee. Be sure to find out if the store’s price guarantee is in effect for sale items. With many stores, it’s a 30-day window, with others it may be longer. You’ll be protected against any price drops either by that store or its competitors for that period of time. It’ll help you sleep better at night.
3. Check the last date of purchase required in order to receive “guaranteed” delivery or installation before kickoff. No one wants to host—or attend—a Super Bowl party where the chips and dip are the featured attraction.
4. Don’t let a low price be the only reason for purchasing a TV. Broaden your options by deciding on a few models you’d like to own—and the features you think you’ll need—before you start your Super Bowl shopping. With several good choices in mind, you’ll have a better chance of finding a set you’d really like to own, not just one that that’s comparatively cheap. If a set you want isn’t a Super Bowl special, ask if the retailer can do anything with the price. There may be some wiggle room on other—often better—sets that aren’t included in the promotions. The retail margins may be better on these sets, so the store could shave a few dollars off the price and still do better than with one of the promoted models.
Continue reading at ConsumerReports.com>>
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