New TV Purchase - Before or After Xmas?

Danger_Fourpence

With the festivities being a mere fortnight or so now, do MoneySavers reckon it's best to take the plunge now on a TV or wait for the sales?

I'm looking at mid to high quality sets in the 32-37" range, so not the cheapos or the big monsters. I will almost certainly be buying before the VAT rise.

lilac_lady

M & S, Comet and Curry have (had?) 32" Sony Bravia tvs for £299 last week. Other good makes like Toshiba too.

brewerdave

Good deals at Richer sounds - Toshiba 40" for ~ £330
http://www.richersounds.com/product/lcd-tv/toshiba/40bv70/tosh-40bv700

devadobbo

its a great question - and youre obviously having the same dilema as me.
will the january sale price be less than the current price less the vat? who knows.
depending on how much youre paying it does work out to be a pretty decent saving though. and hey i guess the one advantage of buying now is you get the tv for christmas! :j

Liquorice_Twirls

I honestly believe that prices still remain high into January with many sale items being either much older models they are dumping or just bought in for the sale. I think later in Jan, when credit card bills start needing to be paid, the electrical retailers have to offer more genuine cuts on more current models.

Remember the VAT will only add £25 to a purchase of £1000. If you take a MSE approach you should be able to save at least that by shopping around.

Kurtis_Blue

New VAT amount added on £1000 purchase = £21.51

Danger_Fourpence

Thanks for the answers so far.

I'm looking at spending a bit more than the low-end models as I'd prefer 100hz for sport and movies. Sadly the best discounts ATM are on those low end models.

The current limited cashback offer of 14.89% with TCB and BestBuy is enticing, as I could pair a purchase up with a cheaper warranty bought elsewhere.

Unless retailers offer a No VAT increase promotion after Jan 4th I don't think I'd be buying, so the period between the 26th and the 4th is the time I'm most interested in.

It is indeed a dilemma.

amd

Sony have a VAT back offer on at the moment up until 24th Dec. I'm looking at a Sony Bravia 40" 100hz with built in Freeview HD at John Lewis online, comes with 'free' 5 year guarantee - price very competative. Have to agree it's a nightmare trying to choose!

32" version http://www.johnlewis.com/230905793/Product.aspx It's also a Which 'Best Buy'

Danger_Fourpence

amd wrote: »

Sony have a VAT back offer on at the moment up until 24th Dec. I'm looking at a Sony Bravia 40" 100hz with built in Freeview HD at John Lewis online, comes with 'free' 5 year guarantee - price very competative. Have to agree it's a nightmare trying to choose!

32" version http://www.johnlewis.com/230905793/Product.aspx It's also a Which 'Best Buy'

What I've seen of that model is that the HD picture is great but the SD picture is somewhat less so. Naturally the shops don't want you to see that so you have to play around with the sets to check.

IMO it was much easier to buy a TV 10 years ago than it is now which is kinda weird considering the choice and the tech.

Danger_Fourpence

I ended up buying a cheap 19" Toshiba just to tide me over (down the line it will either end being used with as an external monitor or in the kitchen). I'm quite glad I did all things considered even if it's only, IMO, a 3 of 5 stars buy quality wise.

I reckon with the weather chaos, hard pressed retailers and the VAT rise looming there could be some cracking deals in a week's time.