Thats Really helpfully, basically what your saying is that you may be able to get the tv for 1699 free shipping 25% of monster cables (just go to monoprice.com where the same cable is %7.50) and 15% off on surge protectors. thats basically the same deal as online ($10 more i guess) but still well above the 1600 u said u looked to spend.  Either this is incomplete or just utterly useless as a suggestion on what to do.

oh i ment $7.50 at monocable sory not %

I tried this and got $350 off my new Samsung 46 inch LCD and 15% off my HDMI cables purchase at Best Buy.

I need to qualify this with an upfront disclosure that I am part of a Custom Retailer company that prides itself on customer happiness and satisfaction.
First, negotiating a good deal is only a victory if you get the right product for your application. Just getting the lowest price should not be the only consideration when making a purchase of any home electronics. Cheaper is not always better. How about getting the right advice on which TV would best fit your needs, discussing the ability of the TV to be controlled via a good all in one remote, compatibility with new technology like BluRay or various server interfaces.. Maybe the size you think you want is to big or to small for your viewing distance. Maybe the one you chose is good but there is a much better set available from another manufacturer because of a closeout or over-stock situation. Getting the right Monster Cable makes a big difference and using a surge protector/line conditioner with today’s digital electronics is more critical than ever. If doing it right does not fit into your budget then maybe waiting or taking advantage of some creative interest free financing is a good idea.
So as opposed to just making a decision based on price a conversation with an HTSA type retailer is a smart choice. Of course we are competitive on like products but we will also make sure you are doing the right thing for your particular needs.
David Wexler
The Little Guys
http://www.thelittleguys.com
Glenwood Illinois

Research is great and knowing the best pricing available online is key. The problem I see with the two haggle sessions is that you never quite lay down the bottom line for the salespeople.

“I really like this TV and in order to get it within my budget, I would like to ask if you can sell it to me today for $1600”. It shows that you’re ready to make the transaction right now and what it will take to make it happen.”

The bottom line is, don’t give them all kinds of hints and wait around for them to make you the offer. You tell them what the offer is and be prepared to walk out.

Haggling isn’t for everyone and not for every place. I do remember around the mid. 90s when a friend was helping us buy a computer in Sears and he had gotten something extra thrown in for free.

Few years ago while buying a car the sales man would send anyone out if they even tried.

Also, if you pay yourself for the time, labor, etc. the savings beings to drop.

The best tip for Brick and mortars is exactly what was brought out. Always always print out the best deal from another store and/or the stores online deal. A store too may or may not price match even with its own online counterpart.

To deal isn’t done until the transaction is complete. Both scenarios by the author leave open for a “new” decision to be made when the author returns to the store, which may lead to a different outcome based on the month, sales on that particular day, etc. In addition it is very rare that a floor sales clerk can make a markdown decision without assistance from the department or store manager. All the author received was an opportunity upon his return to discuss the discount again, provided he brings proof of the offer that he can get online without any further negotiating. In the end the author has really not gained much beyond what the same company offered on its website and lost a few hours in the process.

When somebody tells you that Monster cable makes a really big difference and is “critical” to your viewing enjoyment….run, don’t walk, to the nearest exit.
Sorry David….but there isn’t one consumer out of a 100 who can see any difference between a Monster and generic cable.

“” First, negotiating a good deal is only a victory if you get the right product for your application. “”

This is actually the best thing I have heard someone in the industry say in a long time. Consumers should be more interested in getting “what they need” for a good price other than getting ” something ” for a good price.

It’s not just about video, in fact audio is what it should be all about. Viewing enjoyment is totally dependent on good audio. Your dead wrong on the 1 out of 100, in fact the proper operation of advanced electronics is quality cable dependent. Nobody is going to change your mind about cables so I won’t even attempt it,
It is fun to talk about ......

The fact that you are willing to spend $100 on an HDMI cable, or even $75.00 (25% off) indicates that you are a sheep.  The idea of spending more than $5 on a 6 ft HDMI 1.3a cable is crazy.

Additionally, what is the point of getting a B&M;to honor their on-line price.  You are no better off.  What is better is to get an on-line seller to do better on their price.  I have found that by calling them and agreeing to pay with a lower percentage card ( MC instead of AMX ) I have been able to get better prices, plus I avoid sales tax )

The hours you spent at a store would have been much better spent searching online forums for a better deal.

I agree with Maitin:
Use websites such as PriceGrabber or Nextag to find the best price then buy online,many online merchants have no sales tax and free shipping.
Buying a $100 HDMI cable when you can get one for $5 is stupid,B&M;stores have a huge markup on Monster cables.
The internet is your friend.

And now you’ve wasted not only YOUR time, but TWO salespeople’s time. Granted. one of them was only watching TV, but your exercise was for naught.

Did you actually plan on purchasing something?

So basically you proved negotiating is useless
unless you bring a printout to match.
If you like buying in stores then do that and pay
the sales tax as well.

Seems cheaper to just buy it online because probably someone has it cheaper.
(Sometimes not and sometimes shipping costs are
equal to sales tax.)

Always check online to see if you are getting ripped off and NEVER buy cables in a store.

regarding sales tax, just to toss it in there, not all states have it. NH comes to mind.

If these article writers knew what margins didn’t exist on most sets, this would have never been written.  Best thing if you want a great deal is wait for model changeovers.

The person who wrote this article isn’t very educated in the electronics field. Useless article and a waste of everyones time. Not to be sexist or anything, but you can tell a woman wrote this article.

“...you can tell a woman wrote this article.”  Yeah, the author’s name - Jennifer - kind of gave it way. ;)

I find it amazing how magazines and their websites hire people to do reviews who have no clue what they’re reviewing. If you’re going to hire somoeone to write about electronics, shouldn’t it be someone who has background in the electronics field such as stereo’s, TV’s, and such?? It’s like hiring an auto mechanic to fix the leak on your roof!! DUH!!

Always check froogle.com before buying something.

You can get the Sony KDL-46V4100 below $1600 shipped from many reputable online stores.

Like she says: “First, preparing is invaluable.”

That’s what she should have done! ;)