Practical Tips for Home Theater and Consumer Electronics Shopping

Budget Wisely

Be realistic. When buying a product, budget for additional expenses such as sales tax, delivery charges, and needed accessories (see more on this below). A good rule of thumb is to look at the purchase price of the product and add an additional 20-25%. This will more accurately reflect your final register total.

Do Your Own Product Research

If you are interested in buying any type of home theater component, check out information on both internet and print on the type of products your are considering. On the Web, sites such as this one can offer resources such as links to manufacturer sites, comparative reviews, online price guides, and more that can help you narrow down your choices. Even if you are not a "techie" it is easy to gather some basic knowledge before shopping. Don't ever tell a salesman you know nothing about the item you are trying to purchase, especially if he/she is on commission.

Read Ads Carefully - Understand What Those Sunday Newspaper Ads Really Mean

We are always looking for right product at the right price, but before you actually go out and buy that home theater system, blu-ray disc player, HDTV, or other gadget, you need to know how to buy. One important way to prepare for the home theater or consumer electronics shopping experience is to learn how to interpret the different types of Ads that clutter the Sunday Ad inserts in your newspaper. Product ads come in four basic types: the door buster ad, the step-up ad, the rebate ad, and the financial promotion ad

For more details on how to understand each type of ad, check out my article: Read Ads Carefully.

Know Store Return Policies

Make sure you know right up front what the return policy is. Don't buy a product just to give something to somebody knowing that they are going to return it. Some retailers have restocking fees on some, or all, items (once opened), including camcorders, digital cameras, and laptop computers. They are strict on this policy.

If the product is not defective, but is still within the return policy, you may be sacked with a 15% restocking fee. If you are out of the return policy guidelines by even one day, the product is yours, even if the product is unopened.

A store's return policy should be posted at the cash register stations, and may also be imprinted on the back of your receipt. If you don't see it - ask.

Extended Service Plans - To Buy or Not To Buy?

When buying gifts we want to do the bare minimum. Resistance to buying a service plan or extended warrany is common, and, many times, suspicion is justified. However, if you are buying anything mechanically based, such as a CD/DVD player, camcorder, or you are buying a large screen LCD, Plasma, or Projection HDTV, consider buying extended service. Of course, the cost of the plan, the type of coverage offered, and the price of the plan are also important considerations.

For a more detailed look at what to consider with regards to buying an extended service plan or extended warranty, check out some great tips from Matt Torres, About.com Guide for TV/Video: Should I Buy An Extended Warranty

Buy Everything You Need The First Time

Buy EVERYTHING a product needs to make it work.

Make sure you buy any needed cables, batteries, tapes, bags, or other accessories so the item can be used when you get it home. If you are buying a CD or DVD player, buy a couple of CDs or DVD movies. If you are buyuing a DVD Recorder, make sure you buy a package of blank DVDs in the correct format.

For more details on the importance of accessories, check out my article: Dont Forget Needed Accessories.

Know The Rules of Mail Order and Online Buying

In the quest to find the right product at the right price, many consumers are buying more and more off of the internet, mail order, or from QVC and other shopping channels. However, as attractive as those internet and mail order shopping prices are, there are some pitfalls. For some useful tips, check out my article: Mail Order and Online Buying - Understand What You Are Getting Into.