i guess.. someone has to start this sooner or later
as of 3/19/07
currently best picks on the 32/37/40/42 inch market.
(cash price): Unless mentioned, 20% discount is used a basis
My personal suggestion in how you should choose a flat panel:
budget of :
40k or less = get a generic 20-32 inch lcd with hdmi and 720p or save your money first and wait for the next wave of lcd price drops
40k - 60k = at this price point get a low to mid end branded 32 inch lcd with the above features. Which brand is better is a matter of preference and budget.
60k - 80k = High end 32 inch model or mid end 37 inch model LCD
80k - 150k = 42 inch plasma with 720p or 1080p resolution, dont bother with lcd at this price point. you are guranteed to get a bigger and better looking screen with the plasma than a lcd at this price point.
150k - up = 40 or 42 inch and 1080p a must have. Plasma or LCD is a matter of preference and needs. With this kind of budget, you shouldnt be wasting your money on low-end models.
samsung:
Note: samung recently gives a cash discount on the SRP of their 32 inch models, values already taken intoa ccount below
32n71 = SRP:80k Cash: 63-64k (inclusive of 5k cash discount) + wall mount bracket + 1 yr 3 month warranty
32r71B/W = SRP:70k Cash: 55-56k (inclusive of 5k cash discount) + wall mount bracket + 1 yr 3 month warranty
32s71 = SRP:60k Cash:48-50k (inclusive of 5k cash discount) + wall mount bracket + 1 yr 3 month warranty
40nf71 = SRP:80k Cash: 184k with 20inch lcd + nv3 digital camera + wall mount bracket + 1 yr 3 month warranty
Sony:
Note: sony recently followed suite (again) with samsung's pricing methodology(they are playing catch up again)... they now shaved off.. most of their useless "freebie" fat so prices went down.. but only for cash stuff
their current promo is called "Summer Pleasures".. so ignore shops that still use the old christmas promo.
Due to the nature of sony's promo.. card srp and cash SRP are different.
values below are not yet 100% accurate.. as i dont have a copy of their latest brochure with me
"Buyback"= is term used by shops, where you trade-in the "discounts" of sony to lower the price.
all sony flat panels, have discounts and 20k worth of home theater(translate to a free low-end or add a little for mid-end model)
when you apply "buyback" this may or may not be available
32s200A = Card SRP: 90k Cash SRP w/o "Buyback": 65k.. Discounted SRP w/ Full Buyback: 52k.. but there have been sightings of it at binondo @ 49k or so.. I havent confirmed it yet.
32v200A = Card SRP: 110k Cash SRP w/o "Buyback": 85k.. Discounted SRP w/ Full Buyback: 72-75k.. it could be lower since, i haven't asked around prices with the new summer promo
40X200A = Card SRP: 250k Cash SRP w/o "Buyback": No idea Discounted SRP w/ Full Buyback: No Idea
Hitachi:
32LD9000ta = 60k (probably could go lower, since i asked only casually) + table or wall bracket
32ld9800ta = listted in brochure's but stocks not yet available
42pd9500ta = 110k (probably, could come near the 100k mark with additional haggling), no freebies
42pd9800ta = 160+k (dont bother with this unless you want card reader and pip )
Best shops from a cash price perspective(personal opinion):
Note: only none grey market shops stuff taken into account here.
1. a. ambassador = limited to sony and samsung only and many branches dont have a good selection of demo units. haggle friendly company(bust you must be aggressive). My family has been buying from them since i was a baby.
b. Saver's Digital Hub = haggle with their sales manager, the normal sales guys are a pain in the head to haggle. sales manager gave prices that can meet or even beat the competition. located at 995 north edsa, between sm north and mrt station. *this where we did our group-buy and the prices they gave were very satisfying.
Address: 995 north Edsa, QC
927-7091, 927-5960
2. a. spectra = they got one the worst sales staff in my opinion.. toss of with SM appliance.. its like talking with bricks... their boss is totally a diff. story, great guy!! wish his staff had a fraction of his sales skills... from my limited knowledge they only sell sony and toshiba(not sure if toshiba is grey or not) flat panels.. never asked them its prices, but based on their boss friendliness, i presume you can get good prices from them.
b. sights and sounds = good prices, but same with spectra in the sense that its better to haggle with their boss for a good price.
3. a. abenson = i have the bad habit of getting this and sm appliance mixed up. they require some effort to reach, the 20% cash discount and highly dependent on who the sales manager is at the time. (applies to any shop)
b. Automatic center = generally over all good shop, initial quoted price are never the best price, but with good haggling and the right shop/sales manager you can get close or reach the 20% mark.. though exceeding that would be near impossible.
c. ansons = they offer discounts often without me having to ask sometimes, but they require extra effort to get the 20% cash discount.. more headaches for better discount.
d. western = same as above
5. a. sm appliance= i accidentally got this mixed up with abenson.. most of them are not very haggle friendly... worsed line i heard was from them "sir, we dont have discounts for cash buy.. same price as card" i would have understand on cheap appliances, not on a LCD geesh.....
b. avant = probably one of the worst shops i've been to, gives horrible prices.. ok not as bad as sm.. but still very bad. also they photo copied and faxed my materials without any express permission..
note: i definetly missed a lot of shops here.. just post what other shops should be included in list...
Shops that i haven checked that might be worth your attention:
1. Fair N Square
350 Nueva St., Binondo, Manila 241-3272 , 241-3274
Tips when buying in cash for flat panels:
1. any cash basis discount based on SRP prices (including freebies) you should be aim for 20%. anything less means your not getting the best price. This should be your target haggling point...
2. dependent on shop and brand of the flat panel, your buying.. try to ask them if you can forgo the freebies for a lower price... your mileage may vary on this.
contact numbers of different shops/branches..
http://www.sony.com.ph/dealers.aspnot a complete list.. and its only for sony selling shops.. but most shops carry sony anyways.
Note:
a. constructive comments and suggestion welcomed!! If you got more prices/models and info, just post and ill and to the top page.
b. will update prices once i get an incoming price-list.
c. For card Purchases, I've never pushed it very far.. but im guessing 5-8% Discount should be your target point, also expect to recieve less freebies, since theses are usually tied to promos
