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I broke my No Black Friday rule today, and went to a major appliance retailer, iihregg, to look at their deals on a new TV.
I've been lusting over the plasma screen tvs ever since they came out. But my big honking 32" CRT works just fine, and I really don't neeeed to replace it. But I've been a good little saver this year, and I decided to treat myself.
I did a lot of research on plasmas vs LCD/LED, and looked at the ratings on Consumer Reports and other venues to find a good quality TV, and about what the price should be. I've been hitting a number of stores to compare picture quality.
I'd settled on a Panasonic model, and went to see what the BF deals would be like.
And was so totally disappointed. The prices were about what they were before BF. Evil Empryss went with me to do a return and replace (she got sold the wrong item for the rebate they gave her and didn't want to get hosed when she submitted the paperwork--to their credit it, they swapped out the item and gave her the rebate in house). She told me the prices had been lower earlier in the day; she and her hubby had been looking at many of the same models earlier that very day. So apparently, once the rush died down they marked up at least some of the prices.
I did notice a ton of boxed TVs of the 720p variety that hadn't sold.
But I digress.
After my initial disappointment in pricing, I went to find EE so we could leave. She chased me off and told me to go back looking at TVs until she was done with her return (apparently whatever the item is, is to be my Christmas present this year).
So I started looking at the plasma 3D models, and noted the price difference on several was not much different than the regular plasma's I'd been looking at. Hmmm.
While I quickly do some research on CR, a sales man comes up and tries his best sales pitch. He doesn't take the polite brush off of "I'm just looking, thanks." He is persistent.
So I point out the model I'd originally been looking at, but didn't mention my disappointment in the price.
Salesguy: Do you have a digital camera?
Me:
Uh, yeah. *I'm thinking, what's that got to do with the price of tea in China?*
Salesguy (SG): Well, that model has an SD card reader. You can put the card from your camera into the TV, and look at your photos on the TV.
Me: Uhm. Ok.
*Why would I buy a TV for that?*
SG: Were you looking for 720p or 1080p? *He must have sensed something in my reaction.*
Me: 1080p. I like action movies, and may use it for gaming.
SG: Then 1080p is the way to go. Did I mention, that with the SD card, you won't have to have your friends look over your shoulder? You can let them see the photos large sized in your living room!
Me: Yeah, well, I really plan to watch a lot of action movies. *Dude, did you not just hear what I said?*
SG: ----
Me: ---- Well, I'm just going to keep looking.
SG: OK, but I'd really like to sell you a TV today.
Me: I'll let you know. *NOT!*
I'm a bit annoyed. Girls like action movies and sports, too! I felt like I'd been patronized by the fixation on looking at still photos on a TV. Which, btw, I could do without an SD card as that particular model I was looking at was Wi Fi ready
Gah. Guys are the only ones who know something about technology!
I've been lusting over the plasma screen tvs ever since they came out. But my big honking 32" CRT works just fine, and I really don't neeeed to replace it. But I've been a good little saver this year, and I decided to treat myself.
I did a lot of research on plasmas vs LCD/LED, and looked at the ratings on Consumer Reports and other venues to find a good quality TV, and about what the price should be. I've been hitting a number of stores to compare picture quality.
I'd settled on a Panasonic model, and went to see what the BF deals would be like.
And was so totally disappointed. The prices were about what they were before BF. Evil Empryss went with me to do a return and replace (she got sold the wrong item for the rebate they gave her and didn't want to get hosed when she submitted the paperwork--to their credit it, they swapped out the item and gave her the rebate in house). She told me the prices had been lower earlier in the day; she and her hubby had been looking at many of the same models earlier that very day. So apparently, once the rush died down they marked up at least some of the prices.
I did notice a ton of boxed TVs of the 720p variety that hadn't sold.
But I digress.
After my initial disappointment in pricing, I went to find EE so we could leave. She chased me off and told me to go back looking at TVs until she was done with her return (apparently whatever the item is, is to be my Christmas present this year).
So I started looking at the plasma 3D models, and noted the price difference on several was not much different than the regular plasma's I'd been looking at. Hmmm.
While I quickly do some research on CR, a sales man comes up and tries his best sales pitch. He doesn't take the polite brush off of "I'm just looking, thanks." He is persistent.
So I point out the model I'd originally been looking at, but didn't mention my disappointment in the price.
Salesguy: Do you have a digital camera?
Me:
Uh, yeah. *I'm thinking, what's that got to do with the price of tea in China?*Salesguy (SG): Well, that model has an SD card reader. You can put the card from your camera into the TV, and look at your photos on the TV.
Me: Uhm. Ok.
*Why would I buy a TV for that?*SG: Were you looking for 720p or 1080p? *He must have sensed something in my reaction.*
Me: 1080p. I like action movies, and may use it for gaming.
SG: Then 1080p is the way to go. Did I mention, that with the SD card, you won't have to have your friends look over your shoulder? You can let them see the photos large sized in your living room!
Me:
Yeah, well, I really plan to watch a lot of action movies. *Dude, did you not just hear what I said?*SG: ----
Me: ---- Well, I'm just going to keep looking.
SG: OK, but I'd really like to sell you a TV today.
Me: I'll let you know. *NOT!*
I'm a bit annoyed. Girls like action movies and sports, too! I felt like I'd been patronized by the fixation on looking at still photos on a TV. Which, btw, I could do without an SD card as that particular model I was looking at was Wi Fi ready
Gah. Guys are the only ones who know something about technology!
action movies! Especially Steven Segal action movies. 
Maybe next year (or next sale).
I've been putting up with this since the very early 80's, and though it's gotten better, I'm now facing people who assume that the short, round slightly over middle aged woman can't possibly know how do do more than trade grandkids photos on email, when in reality I was writing programs used on aircraft carriers when they were in diapers.
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