Wanna buy a telly - who should I avoid?

babyblooz

We are thinking about making a big purchase of a new telly, probably a Panasonic Viera with freesat, so looking at spending over £600. I'm worried by all this talk of 15 high street sellers being on the edge of going bankrupt, and wondering how this would impact on after-sales service etc. What would happen if I get a problem six months down the line and the company has gone bust?

Has anyone any recommendations, or advice even about what would be a good way to proceed?

I don't spend this amount of money every day so I need to be sure its a wise purchase.

withabix

babyblooz wrote: »

What would happen if I get a problem six months down the line and the company has gone bust?

Unless you buy a mickey mouse brand, the manufacturer will probably still be there, as will their UK service agent, if it's not the manufacturer themselves.

Retailers aren't much good at after sales service anyway - the staff usually know nothing and were probably burger !!!!!! in McDonalds last week.

Do you want fries with that?

DigitalJedi

I agree. Make sure you buy from a decent retailer and for added protection, pay by credit card.

babyblooz

Do you know where I can find a review for the Panasonic Viera 32" with freesat? I haven't been able to find any by googling it?

surferjr1999

babyblooz wrote: »

Do you know where I can find a review for the Panasonic Viera 32" with freesat? I haven't been able to find any by googling it?

Hi well the Which best buy guide shows the Panasonic TX32LZD80 as the top rated TV at 84%. If the freesat version 81 is based on this then shouldn't go wrong. We have recently purchased the TX37 LZD800 based on the which reports and we are delighted the set is superb. i.e. extract of review
TX32LZD80
Panasonic continues to produce exceptional TVs – and this sublime 32-inch HD-ready 1080p LCD is no exception. Packed with useful features, it’s easy to use and delivers just about the best picture quality money can buy. This is as good as flat-panel TVs get at present.
Our viewing panel were impressed by the detailed and vibrant standard definition pictures over both Freeview broadcasts and DVD. It offers very good black levels – deeper, detailed blacks such as this are more commonly associated with plasma TVs. Not surprisingly, high definition pictures are stunning, boasting excellent depth, detail and colour.

Hope this helps.

smcaul

Personally I would not touch Currys/Comet/Dixons. They have appalling after sales support should something go wrong!!!

I have always purchased TV's from John Lewis, they give a 5yr guarantee with their TV's. They may be slightly more expensive, but when you take into account the 5yr guarantee then they are often cheaper in real terms.

geo555

Richersounds are selling the Panasonic TX32LZD81 for £499.95

http://www.richersounds.com/showproduct.php?cda=showproduct&pid=PANA-TX32LZD81

TiTheRev

Richer Sounds, good. Supermarket/Comet/Dixons/Currys et al, bad.

Why John Lewis always gets a mention on every thread going i'll never know how can anyone be that specialised in ALL areas? Just because it has a longer guarantee just means there's more get out clauses in the contract! More expensive and less chance of getting a replacement...makes sense :rolleyes:

zappomatic

TiTheRev, I've worked in a few different buying offices at John Lewis for several years, and there is a lot of passion, experience and knowledge there, and also in the stores (there's someone in the lighting department at Oxford Street with 20 years experience in the field, for example). Just because most companies can't manage to even know what they're talking about in areas they specialise in doesn't mean someone else can't.

lazy_tiger

Sainsbury this PM
32" Sony Bravia TV £350.
They were flying out of the doors.

MartialArtMan

If you use this site http://www.buydigital.tv/ it will tell you the chepest place to buy your TV including the current voucher codes, unfortunately it doesn't include the cashback sites...