Getting The Best Price

When scanning the Sunday circulars from Best Buy, Circuit City, Ultimate Electronics or Sears, check prices carefully. The price in large print is often not the real price. Actually, it's often lower. Retailers cannot advertise a lower price than the minimum advertised price set by manufacturers. Look for wording such as "$1,999 before the $250 discount." It's been my experience that Circuit City will negotiate more than Best Buy and will often have lower advertised prices, too. A Samsung DLP advertised in both retailers' circulars three Sundays ago was $90 cheaper at Circuit City.

• Clip Circuit City's 10 percent off coupon in the Happenings book for any TV over $199. Competitors may match it. You can still get Happenings books at SuperAmerica.

• Check online comparison sites such as www.pricegrabber.com to target a good price. Then you know how far local stores might budge.

• Check Costco and Sam's Club. Costco also has a liberal return policy.

• Get an additional 5 to 10 percent discount through Jack Rubenstein Wholesalers (952-922-4781). He works with local distributors to get lower prices on TVs 40 inches or larger. I found Rubenstein to be cheaper on some, but not all, models.

• Check Wal-Mart's and Target's sales.

Q Is it true that I can get HD with an ordinary TV antenna?

A Yes, but you'll need an HD-integrated TV (not HD-ready). Antenna placement is critical and is affected by obstructions such as trees and buildings. An outdoor antenna works best, but you don't need to spend big bucks on a high-tech antenna. For alignment help, go to www.antennaweb.org .

Q I've heard reports of people returning their HDTV's because the picture quality isn't as good at home as it was in the store. What kind of a bait-and-switch is that?

A Some salespeople mislead customers by only showing them high-definition programming on the TV being considered. Customers need to keep in mind that there isn't a lot of programming in HD outside of prime time. Have the salesperson show you standard, not just HD programming.

Q What's this new set going to cost me?

A Budget, non-HD 15-inch LCDs start under $300. A 37-inch HD-LCD is about $2,500. HD plasmas start at $3,000 for a 42-inch unit. DLPs start at about $1,400 for a 42-inch set.

Q Some of the TVs called "monitors" are cheaper. Are they a better buy?

A Probably not. A monitor has no internal tuner or system for generating sound. You'll need to have a separate source for sound, such as speakers.

Q What else should I do before buying?

A Ask the retailer about a money-back home trial. Ask if that includes free pickup, too. Of course, save all packaging just in case. Ask about restocking fees.

Q Should I buy an extended warranty?

A The jury is still out on repair rates for LCDs and plasmas, said Consumer Reports. If the price is right, don't rule it out. The magazine recommends a warranty on DLPs.

Q Will I have trouble getting rid of my old set?

A Probably not, but you may have to pay disposal fees. Just as appliance retailers charge to dispose of old appliances, electronics retailers are starting to charge. The Minnesota Legislature has banned televisions and monitors with cathode ray tubes from landfills effective July 1, 2006. Hennepin County residents can dispose of TVs free at its public recycling centers. Minneapolis residents can still have TVs and appliances picked up free at their garbage site if labeled as trash. Asset Recovery in St. Paul (651-602-0789 ) charges 35 cents per pound for disposal (a 25-inch TV is usually $26).

Q Any other tips for pumping up my offensive strategy before I start this high-tech adventure?

A Don't deck the salesman when you have trouble finding popular, highly reviewed models in stock. It's been difficult getting a Panasonic 42- or 50-inch plasma or the Sony Bravia LCDs, which have gotten good reviews in the press. If you're hoping to get your set up and running before the Super Bowl, your first question should be "Can you have this installed in my home before game day?" And don't wait until the Saturday before the Super Bowl for the install.

John Ewoldt •612-673-7633.

Q Is it true that I can get HD with an ordinary TV antenna?

A Yes, but you'll need an HD-integrated TV (not HD-ready). Antenna placement is critical and is affected by obstructions such as trees and buildings. An outdoor antenna works best, but you don't need to spend big bucks on a high-tech antenna. For alignment help, go to www.antennaweb.org .

Q I've heard reports of people returning their HDTV's because the picture quality isn't as good at home as it was in the store. What kind of a bait-and-switch is that?

A Some salespeople mislead customers by only showing them high-definition programming on the TV being considered. Customers need to keep in mind that there isn't a lot of programming in HD outside of prime time. Have the salesperson show you standard, not just HD programming.

Q What's this new set going to cost me?

A Budget, non-HD 15-inch LCDs start under $300. A 37-inch HD-LCD is about $2,500. HD plasmas start at $3,000 for a 42-inch unit. DLPs start at about $1,400 for a 42-inch set.

Q Some of the TVs called "monitors" are cheaper. Are they a better buy?

A Probably not. A monitor has no internal tuner or system for generating sound. You'll need to have a separate source for sound, such as speakers.

Q What else should I do before buying?

A Ask the retailer about a money-back home trial. Ask if that includes free pickup, too. Of course, save all packaging just in case. Ask about restocking fees.

Q Should I buy an extended warranty?

A The jury is still out on repair rates for LCDs and plasmas, said Consumer Reports. If the price is right, don't rule it out. The magazine recommends a warranty on DLPs.

Q Will I have trouble getting rid of my old set?

A Probably not, but you may have to pay disposal fees. Just as appliance retailers charge to dispose of old appliances, electronics retailers are starting to charge. The Minnesota Legislature has banned televisions and monitors with cathode ray tubes from landfills effective July 1, 2006. Hennepin County residents can dispose of TVs free at its public recycling centers. Minneapolis residents can still have TVs and appliances picked up free at their garbage site if labeled as trash. Asset Recovery in St. Paul (651-602-0789 ) charges 35 cents per pound for disposal (a 25-inch TV is usually $26).

Q Any other tips for pumping up my offensive strategy before I start this high-tech adventure?

A Don't deck the salesman when you have trouble finding popular, highly reviewed models in stock. It's been difficult getting a Panasonic 42- or 50-inch plasma or the Sony Bravia LCDs, which have gotten good reviews in the press. If you're hoping to get your set up and running before the Super Bowl, your first question should be "Can you have this installed in my home before game day?" And don't wait until the Saturday before the Super Bowl for the install.

John Ewoldt •612-673-7633.

Q Is it true that I can get HD with an ordinary TV antenna?

A Yes, but you'll need an HD-integrated TV (not HD-ready). Antenna placement is critical and is affected by obstructions such as trees and buildings. An outdoor antenna works best, but you don't need to spend big bucks on a high-tech antenna. For alignment help, go to www.antennaweb.org .

Q I've heard reports of people returning their HDTV's because the picture quality isn't as good at home as it was in the store. What kind of a bait-and-switch is that?

A Some salespeople mislead customers by only showing them high-definition programming on the TV being considered. Customers need to keep in mind that there isn't a lot of programming in HD outside of prime time. Have the salesperson show you standard, not just HD programming.

Q What's this new set going to cost me?

A Budget, non-HD 15-inch LCDs start under $300. A 37-inch HD-LCD is about $2,500. HD plasmas start at $3,000 for a 42-inch unit. DLPs start at about $1,400 for a 42-inch set.

Q Some of the TVs called "monitors" are cheaper. Are they a better buy?

A Probably not. A monitor has no internal tuner or system for generating sound. You'll need to have a separate source for sound, such as speakers.

Q What else should I do before buying?

A Ask the retailer about a money-back home trial. Ask if that includes free pickup, too. Of course, save all packaging just in case. Ask about restocking fees.

Q Should I buy an extended warranty?

A The jury is still out on repair rates for LCDs and plasmas, said Consumer Reports. If the price is right, don't rule it out. The magazine recommends a warranty on DLPs.

Q Will I have trouble getting rid of my old set?

A Probably not, but you may have to pay disposal fees. Just as appliance retailers charge to dispose of old appliances, electronics retailers are starting to charge. The Minnesota Legislature has banned televisions and monitors with cathode ray tubes from landfills effective July 1, 2006. Hennepin County residents can dispose of TVs free at its public recycling centers. Minneapolis residents can still have TVs and appliances picked up free at their garbage site if labeled as trash. Asset Recovery in St. Paul (651-602-0789 ) charges 35 cents per pound for disposal (a 25-inch TV is usually $26).

Q Any other tips for pumping up my offensive strategy before I start this high-tech adventure?

A Don't deck the salesman when you have trouble finding popular, highly reviewed models in stock. It's been difficult getting a Panasonic 42- or 50-inch plasma or the Sony Bravia LCDs, which have gotten good reviews in the press. If you're hoping to get your set up and running before the Super Bowl, your first question should be "Can you have this installed in my home before game day?" And don't wait until the Saturday before the Super Bowl for the install.

John Ewoldt •612-673-7633.