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Written by J.P. Wicklein
My girlfriend and I decided to join the 21st century and replace our tube television with a new, 40” LCD television. After much deliberation and research we settled on a Sumsung 40” LCD television with 1080p and 120 Hz (model #LN40B630).
I spent a couple hours attempting to find it for the lowest price possible. Eventually I determined that the best deal was through Amazon - $999.00. The question I have for you: Did I get this TV for the lowest price possible?
The price search
The first place we looked for the TV was Best Buy. Their price was $999.99, $400 off the regular price of $1,399.99. With sales tax Best Buy’s final price was $1,076.98. To avoid paying sales tax I turned to the internet.
The cheapest price I found on the internet was $885.00, through ShopDigitalOnline.com. Once the $119 shipping charge was added, though, ShopDigitalOnline.com’s total price came to $1,004.00. After filtering out other, more expensive, e-tailers I visited Amazon.
The beauty of Amazon is that they don’t charge for shipping on items over $25. At $999.00, Amazon came in $0.99 cheaper than Best Buy. Since Amazon doesn’t assess sales tax, or charge for shipping, their final price remained $999.00. I decided that Amazon offered the best price on the new Samsung TV, so I bought it through them.
I’m pretty sure I couldn’t have gotten the TV from anyone else for less. You tell me, though. Did I get the Samsung LN40B630 for the lowest possible price? Add your comments below!
Photo by: visualpanic
6 responses so far ↓
1 Shadle // Aug 17, 2009 at 5:27 am
Depends on your form of payment. Using a credit card could potentially get you a “reward” (e.g. cash-back bonuses, gift certificates, etc.). For example, had you bought this with a Chase Amazon credit card, you would have gotten an additional 3% back (towards Amazon gift certificates). On the other hand, if you used a credit card and don’t pay off the balance on your next bill, that pretty much cancels out any rewards.
2 RJB // Aug 17, 2009 at 8:37 am
When you have a specific product in mind, aggregator sites come in handy. I punched the product number into Google Products (formerly known as Froogle - I so wish they had kept that name). I see a few prices below what you paid, but on sites that charge for shipping. I think you did well.
What I can’t easily answer is whether you could have done better with a Sony or LG or Vizio or whatever other brand with the same specs. They’re almost all the same technology inside.
Also, I carry an Amazon.com Visa card, so I second Shadle’s thoughts. That purchase would net me $30 for future Amazon purchases.
3 Financial Fellow // Aug 17, 2009 at 9:39 am
Shadle -
Good point on the Amazon.com Visa Card. 3% back is pretty good. I used a United miles card instead… $30 back would’ve been nice, though.
RJB -
I’ve seen price comparisons on Google before. Couldn’t find them yesterday so I just went to Yahoo Shopping. I agree, Froogle is a cool/appropriate name for their service.
I agree that I may have been able to find a better deal on a TV with the same specs that’s made by another manufacturer. I just have a thing for Samsung - rational or not…
Thanks to both of you for your feedback!
John
4 AK // Aug 17, 2009 at 6:14 pm
I got the exact same TV just a couple of weeks ago. Same process (although I ended up getting it from Vann’s). Watched online dealers fluctuating up and down in the 1100-1300 range, but bought it for $999.00 the moment I saw it drop.
Seems like Samsung only allows certain models to be subject to such pricing fluctuations. A couple of weeks of research payed off… $400.00 savings was certainly worth it.
Cheers,
AK
P.S. Good choice with Samsung — they are also a (relatively) green company.
5 Financial Fellow // Aug 18, 2009 at 8:14 pm
AK -
Thanks for your comments. Glad to hear that you like the Samsung. I’m looking forward to receiving delivery on mine next week.
John
6 Financial Fellow // Aug 18, 2009 at 8:17 pm
Big Thanks to John Hoeffleur for drawing my attention to http://www.slickdeals.net. It’s a bulletin board where readers post great deals they find on various consumer goods. Thanks again, John.
John
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