Buying a TV online

CraftySailor

My dad is looking for a new TV. The size and model he's interested in isn't stocked anywhere for us to go and look at, so we'll have to order online. If we order online and the picture is no good will we be able to return it? We can't look at it before we buy but have to unbox and turn it on to look at it. The best price he's found is Amazon which makes me extra worried that a return wouldn't be accepted. Is it covered under the distance selling rules as you can see and hear the quality of a TV through a laptop?

Thanks

dumpster_fire2025

In theory.

In practice if you pull it out of all the packaging, set it up, power it on and then you decide you don't like it, expect a lot of pushback from the retailer.

mebu60

Have you read non-Amazon reviews for the tv in question e.g. TechRadar, What HiFi, AV Forums, Trusted Reviews, etc?

If someone like Richer Sounds or John Lewis has it and it's not much more than Amazon it may be a better bet to buy from them, you'll likely get a longer guarantee too, possibly five years.

Alderbank

In practice, it depends on who and where the seller is.

Does the order say Dispatched and Sold by Amazon or sold by a Third-Party Marketplace Seller who handles their own shipping?

Amazon themselves are generally no problem if you carefully repack it in its original packaging and in its own box (which carries guidance for safe handling of the screen).

Marketplace sellers can be difficult especially if the screen is very large or it needs to be returned overseas. Sets are imported into the UK securely packed together in a container. The cost of safely shipping a single large screen (which your dad will have to cover if he is returning it under the Consumer Contracts Regulations) can be eye-watering.

rikbar

While I understand there can be some great deals out there - I would just suggest heading to Richer Sounds and talking to them about what size and type of TV you need and the best to meet your requirements.

I have never gone wrong with them and everything I have bought has been of high quality - and even when things go wrong there is a local person to help and fix the issue.

I don't work for them but I do believe when buying something you want to last for years it pays to get some sound advice alongside good support.

CraftySailor

It's a Panasonic that he's looking at. Richer Sounds stock it too. We're on the Isle of Wight which makes delivery a bit tricky with some places. Think I'll give Richer Sounds in Southampton a call tomorrow.

Ayr_Rage

Most modern TVs are capable of displaying a great picture if provided with a decent HD or UHD source.

However the way they are set up out of the box can be pretty awful, often overly bright with odd colour balance.

Read the reviews and more importantly the specialist sites of how to best adjust the picture on your model, even some of the preset modes needed tweaking on my latest model.

visidigi

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82171137#Comment_82171137

If you can make it to Southampton then I believe RS will allow you to send it to store and they will let you look at it before taking it away. I only go to RS now. Service can't be beaten

GrubbyGirl_2

Richer sounds are excellent and provide great warranties which they honour without question. I used to always buy from John Lewis but their customer service has deteriorated a lot. Just read the reviews and I doubt you will be disapointed

dnpark38

@Ayr_Rage

First always find the ECO setting and turn it off.