Quote:
Originally Posted by kunkstyle
I never said anyone takes it lightly. I'm sure anyone making a $1500 purchase takes it seriously. However seriously for me is taking 6 months of back-issues of Home Theater Magazine and old posts on AVS to make a decision. Serious to my father is going to Soundsaround, and spending 2 hours with the salesmen whom he assumes is an expert. Serious to someone else is hemming-and-hawing in the store for 30 minutes to see which set looks the best brightest. You are giving the average consumer way too much credit. I know how easy it is to pick up a consumer guide or use google. Many people do - but they're still in the minority. I worked retail sales long enough to realize that your average joe is looking for one thing - perceived discount, and usually has his mind made up before he gets to the store. Which is exactly why you see droves lining up on Christmas Eve to spend $50 more on a TV on boxing day than the week prior, because it's listed as a doorcrasher.
And in TV's, as Esoteric mentioned, "is it bigger than my last one" and "can I run the netflix on it" are two big drivers.
I'm going to stop before I get off on a soapbox about home electronics...
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Quoted for truth. When I was buying my latest set, I was in Future Shop looking at the models in person. I was discussing with my Dad the pros/cons of the Sony XBR vs Samsung 8 series vs. Panasonic Plasma. A guy was looking as well, heard my conversation and came over. He said he had looked around and liked the "look" of the same LED sets I was looking at.
He asked me what I thought. After a 5 min discussion on the pros/cons, I thought I had him up to speed. He looked at me and said "I am going with the Samsung", I asked why, "It's got a cooler bezel, the color is brighter, and it's a bit cheaper"
He didn't make the wrong choice, both are great sets. Just made it due to what I see is the wrong reasons. Bezel/form factor, brightness (keep in mind both were going in a basement), and cost.
There is nothing wrong with that. It is just that many people fool themselves into thinking they are doing hard core research when in fact these simple drivers are what ultimately make those decisions for people.