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Don’t despair if you need a new TV and don’t have a couple of thousand dollars to plunk down to get one. Like many other electronics, quality has gone up and stabilized in the last few years while prices have plummeted. Brand name doesn’t mean much because just a few manufacturers build all TVs and other electronics. Branding usually occurs after the unit is built so shop for the features you want rather than a certain brand.

The cheapest televisions bearing off-brands may come off the same assembly line as those with upscale high-end brand labels. Televisions prices are often determined more by where they are sold than the features they offer. Warranties are comparable, usually 90 days, and extended warranties are available from either the manufacturer or the retail store selling the unit.

While some customers prefer the added advantage of help from knowledgeable sales staff and the after market service local electronics stores provide, rock bottom prices for televisions are mostly found at the big-box stores across the country. In addition to shopping the chain superstores for the cheapest televisions today’s consumer has the advantage of bargain shopping worldwide through the Internet.

A moderately sized Visio 26” LCD wide screen HDTV, the preferred choice of college students and apartment dwellers ranges between $300.00 to $360.00 at online vendors such as ebay. Local stores sell the same television for $359.00 at Vann’s, $390.00 at Sears and $430.00 at Radio shack. The advantage of spending more to buy at Sears or Radio Shack is the ability to do some pre-purchase quality evaluations and have questions answered by sales staff. However, the consumer who knows exactly what they want might save up to $130.00 by shopping online.

Seemingly identical TV’s are advertised with different features. The Sharp 26” LCD HDTV & DVD is advertised with and without a headphones jack. California Computers advertises the headphone feature where Sears and several online vendors do not. The Toshiba 26” LCD HDTV as advertised at Radio Shack features surround sound and boasts of a wide screen.

The consumer wanting a larger TV can find bargains at such stores as Walmart and Costco. Both stores buy in bulk and pass the savings on to their customers. They also have easy return policies should the unit prove defective. Walmart sells 42” Plasma HDTV’s for under $350.00.

Ebay is a premier vendor for TV’s and the cheapest televisions are often found there. Bargains vary daily and nearly every brand and size television can be found at rock bottom prices for the diligent consumer who patiently peruses the site.

Refurbished TV’s may be the cheapest televisions for thrifty consumers. Yourbargainmart.com recently advertised a 19”Memorex LCD HDTV for $146.00 and a 26” Toshiba LCD HDTV for $264.00.

Pre-holiday sales, locally or online may provide the best bargains. Stores and online vendors have huge blow-out sales during the weeks immediately before such holidays as Super Bowl Sunday, Father’s Day and Christmas. Knowing what features you want and waiting for the sales may be the best bet for getting one of the absolute cheapest televisions available.

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