is it worth paying extra for a brand name?

Crap_with_money.com

Afternoon all,

I'm just about to move from one rental flat to another with my OH. As the flat we're leaving came with a TV, and the new one doesn't, we need to buy a new one. Ideally we don't want to spend a fortune, maybe £200-300 absolute maximum.

OH has been having a look in local supermarkets whilst he's out, and seems to think there are a few for around the £250 mark. Only thing is, they're brands that neither of us have ever heard of.

I'm by no means a brand snob - but for some reason, I feel a bit wary of buying electrical goods if they're a make I don't recognise. Am I being silly? Does the brand name make a difference?

Laura

Hammyman

For TVs, definitely worth getting a brand name. There is a world of difference in the quality of the image in the panels used in the well known brands vs "never heard of them".

bap98189

The answer is it depends. Some unbranded TV's are great, but most are not and this is usually reflected in the price. On the other hand, there are plenty of branded TV's which perform less than perfectly too.

Whether it is worth you spending more money on a big brand TV really depends what you want from your TV. If you just want something that has a screen and sound, then the chances are you won't want to be paying a fortune for the latest model with the best spec picture.

DrScotsman

Besides supermarkets, I'm pretty sure the cheapest place for pretty much any TV is online. If you buy online, you get 7 working days once you've received the TV to change your mind under the distance selling regulations, as long as you keep it in good condition.

The rest is up to you - about how much cheaper the unbranded TV has to be than the branded one for you to risk having to send it back. Would probably cost £20 Special Delivery, maybe less if you use a courier from Martin's cheap parcel delivery article.

All that is assuming your worry is the quality of the TV (e.g. Hammyman's post). If we're talking about probability of breaking, I wouldn't worry so long as they have warranty periods of the same length and their website doesn't look too dodgy. Consider getting a credit card that extends warranties.

aliEnRIK

Brand names definitely make a difference. Id be looking at sony, samsung or Panasonic if possible
I suspect theyll be out of range though so others you might consider are LG and Toshiba (I wouldnt go with a Sharp)
You pay for size, quality and capabilities
Looking at richer sounds ~
http://www.richersounds.com/products/home-cinema/lcd-and-plasma/lcd-tv
Looks like your limited to 32" max at your price range

fitshase

There are a few budget TVs which use Samsung panels so keep a look out for them (it normally says on the box).

Hammyman

fitshase wrote: »

There are a few budget TVs which use Samsung panels so keep a look out for them (it normally says on the box).

TBH, that doesn't mean much. The chances are they're old sammy panels. As there are only 5 (OTTOMH) flat screen panel manufacturers in the world, you'll find some of the low rent abysmal quality ones are Sammy.

Crap_with_money.com

Thanks all!

I really just want something with a reasonable quality picture and reliability. I'm not too fussed on the size of it, my OH would probably disagree with that though!

There do seem to be a few LG ones in our price range, so thanks for that aliEnRIK!

xx

[Deleted User]

Here you go.. an LG in your price range: http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/5293702/Trail/searchtext%3E32+INCH+TV.htm

LG does make pretty decent TVs.. i've got a 19" LG in the bedroom and it's top notch, great quality.

To see the major difference between 'el cheapo' TVs and the branded ones, look at the contrast ratio and brightness. Essentially, the higher the better.

Crap_with_money.com

thanks Ringo - that looks pretty much perfect for what we (or I at least! ) want! I've sent the link to OH - so I just need to wait and see what he says now!

Thanks again

xx

JasX

Its not worth paying for the badge but the 'brand name' models will have alot more advanced electronics and signal processing capabilities than the unbranded ones and as such you get a vastly inferior quallity image with the unbranded ones.