Super Saver - Buying display models (WZZM) - Buying a display model is often an easy way to save a lot of money, but according to 50-year veteran repairman Ron Spencer of North Rapids Television in Sparta, buying electronic display models isn't always the best way to save on televisions. "People shop the internet and a guy could come in and tell me this is a $2,000 television. If he sees it advertised at $1,200, common sense should tell you why it's low," says Spencer. According to Spencer, the number one problem with buying a display LCD or plasma television is the length of time it's been on in the store. "I guess the question I would ask the salesman is, 'How many hours has it been on, while on the floor?' When you plug that set into the wall, the power supply is running and the components and capacitors start aging out," explained Spencer. "It's like you and I - we're going to age no matter what we do." When you consider some stores leave these sets on 12 hours-a-day, seven days-a-week, you can see how quickly the hours add up on the bulbs (or tubes) as they're commonly called. Another problem is getting an image burned onto the screen of the television. "It's prone to burn if you leave it on and it's on a logo," explained Spencer. "I don't care if it's channel 13 or ESPN, that logo will burn in the screen if they aren't changing channels." Spencer says Plasmas are more prone to burning than LCDs. When repairing these types of televisions, Spencer says they're extra expensive because the new sets are not component repair-friendly. The entire board has to be replaced. "A board is probably $200 to $300 and you still have the labor and we can't replace the chips. They won't come off." It's not just televisions. Digital cameras and camcorders also present problems for additional reasons. Often they're being handled and bounced around by potential customers carelessly. Most of the repairs on these items are only handled directly from the manufacturer, which makes shopping around for a good repair price even more challenging. DVD Players, VCRs and AV Receivers however might be worth considering when it comes to purchasing a display model. "Just leaving them there, isn't going to hurt anything," says Spencer. "Nothing is running except when you run a disc. Dirt is going to be the only factor that will shorten the life." Spencer says if every salesperson was honest and upfront with his customers, you'd have a much easier decision on whether to buy the display model or a more expensive one right out of the box. "The earlier dealers did tell you and they were required by law to tell you how many hours that TV has been on, but nobody enforces it anymore. Some of the manufacturers have a rule. I could tell you who they are," said Spencer, "But I won't." Spencer does warranty repair work for nine television manufacturers and doesn't want to risk his relationship with any particular company. With that said, if it came to buying a new one or taking one off the display model, he knows what he'd do. "It would have to be worth my while to not to take one in the box. I suppose if the guy offered it to me for 25% off, I might consider it, but then again I'd have to think."
11/6/2009 10:03:27 AM
