Don't just grab the newspaper AD and run down to your local consumer electronics retailer without arming yourself with useful knowledge and tools to get the most from your dollar. This page offers tips on how to buy old display models.
Old Display Models
Here is where things can get a little "sticky" for the consumer. Typically, most products at consumer electronics retailers are on display anywhere from 90-days to six months, however, some products can be displayed for as long as a year.
Personally, I am very cautious about buying display items, because many retailers will not accurately inform the consumer as to how long the item in question has been on display and won't discuss how the item has been treated by sales staff and customers.
Products such as Camcorders, digital cameras, and televisions are especially suspect because, not only have they been on display, but they have been on and running for twelve hours a day for months, with camcorders and digital cameras being handled and bounced around by everyone from gentle grandmothers to small children.
However, other display items, such as AV receivers, DVD players, and VCRs don't get quite the same abuse as they are only turned on when a salesperson actually demos the products. In fact, most displays of AV receivers, DVD players, VCRs, and other related components are usually just sitting on a shelf as show pieces with no power and can't be used by the consumer anyway without sales staff assistance.
Taking all of these factors into consideration, you may get a great deal buying displays of HiFi components, DVD players, and VCRs, but my advice is don't get too excited about buying display TVs, digital cameras, or camcorders. If you do decide to buy such items, remember, there is no box, when items are put on display, almost all retailers destroy the box. In addition, you need to consider the following questions:
ONE- Can you return the item if it is found to be defective?
TWO - Is the manufacturer's warranty still valid?
THREE - Can you purchase an extended service plan for the unit, if you choose too?
FOUR - Are all the accessories and owner's manual included?
FIVE - If there is a price already marked for the unit, check to see that it is a least 15% off its original price, if any accessories or owner's manual is missing from the unit - negotiate a lower price, reflecting both the cost and availability of the missing accessories.
One great negotiating tool to get a good price on a display model is indicate that you would be willing to purchase an extended service plan on the unit an/or some additional accessories to go with it. Although, legally, the store can't adjust the price of a product in order for you to buy extended service plan or additional accessories, you are buying a display unit that the store wants to get rid of.
The store can basically set the price on a display item how it sees fit; don't settle for the posted price. There is no specific legal guideline that can determine the value of a product based on how many people have touched it, how long it has been on, any scratches or dents, etc.. from it being on display. The store can sell such items for any price the store or district managers choose to as long as they don't violate store or corporate policy.
Of course, there is no guarantee that a customer will get get a better deal by using this strategy, but it is certainly worth a try. With a some firm negotiation, the consumer can, potentially, get a good price on a display item, and still get some protection for the unit and/or needed accessories with the purchase. It all boils down to whether the product, the negotiation time, and the final price is really worth it.
Proceed to page 4: After-Christmas and Clearance Sales - Buying Product Service Comebacks - by clicking the link below right.
