Is now the time to buy an LCD?

[DKenni]

Evening all. This is my first post here. I thought it only fair I join and try to contribute after all the info I've gleened from lurking here. Some of your home setups are mind blowing

I start with a question however. Normally I'd be content to wait until the new year sales to change the TV but with the current economic situation I'm not so sure.

There seems to be a lot of excellent offers that are gone as soon as they arrive (the £399 LG3000 37" being the latest). I have been told that shops are trying to clear as much stock as possible and that new stock levels will be much less. This would have the side effect of less deals as they would be less desperate to get rid of them.

Is this nonsense and will the sales perhaps be outstanding next year in an attempt to boost sales?

I'm in the market for a 32" for the bedroom and PS3/360. (I started looking 26" but they seem very expensive compared to 32"). I also have a friend who is after a 37" package with stand and surround for his main room.

Sorry for the length of the post but I'd really appreciate peoples opinions. Got to make the pounds stretch as much as possible.

Thanks

[vickster]

IMO I'd wait until after Christmas when people have even less money and aren't buying TVs / consoles as presents

[ziffius]

Originally Posted by DKenni

I have been told that shops are trying to clear as much stock as possible and that new stock levels will be much less. This would have the side effect of less deals as they would be less desperate to get rid of them.

Is this nonsense and will the sales perhaps be outstanding next year in an attempt to boost sales?

If the stores expect less sales, then they may want to have less stock. If you keep an eye on whats happening with the panel prices, you get a slight idea when the sales stop LG. Display Co. Ltd. (NYSE:LPL) - Oversupply of LCD panels expected to ease from 2H 09. Free research report for 3Q 08 update results. | ResearchOracle.com as the panels are the most expensive part of a TV.

[DKenni]

Thanks both. I suppose really I've got nothing to lose by waiting but everything to gain then.

[vickster]

Probably, as long as you aren't set on a specific TV that is currently on offer (as it may well not be soon)

[dmax66]

Google your choice of tv and shop around. I bought a Panasonic 32lxd85 last week with 3 year warranty for £485.

Was in a local retailer this morning, same tv with 5 years warranty £750 ouch.

[Baetz]

What's your verdict on the 32lxd85?

[GaryB]

Bear in mind that although there will be the inevitable pre and post Christmas sales, the pound has taken a big tumble against most foreign currencies recently. Since virtually all TVs are produced abroad, this will limit price falls and may actually mean that some prices will rise slightly.

[ziffius]

Originally Posted by GaryB

Bear in mind that although there will be the inevitable pre and post Christmas sales, the pound has taken a big tumble against most foreign currencies recently. Since virtually all TVs are produced abroad, this will limit price falls and may actually mean that some prices will rise slightly.

Not necessarily true. The Pound is doing fairly well against the South Korean Won, their currency is doing much worse than ours BBC NEWS | Business | Market Data | Currencies | Sterling v South Korean Won. It's looks like LG might be more intrested in lowering it's prices than Samsung though. It's the Yen the Pound is really struggling against.

[ElRazur]

Last two weeks was the righht time to buy a LCD as there was plenty of offers around. Now the greedy retailers have jacked up the prices.

[GaryB]

Originally Posted by ziffius

Not necessarily true. The Pound is doing fairly well against the South Korean Won, their currency is doing much worse than ours BBC NEWS | Business | Market Data | Currencies | Sterling v South Korean Won. It's looks like LG might be more intrested in lowering it's prices than Samsung though. It's the Yen the Pound is really struggling against.

Tell me about it - I work for a Japanese company.

Many manufacturers now produce in Europe, those are really the ones I was thinking about.

The other thing is that many retailers are working on wafer thin margins. That was OK when times were good and sales numbers were high, but many of them are having a rough time now that numbers are down.

DSG's share price has gone from 118p a year ago to 13p now:

BBC NEWS | Business | Market Data | Shares | London | DSG International

[DKenni]

Thanks for all the replies. I'll be keeping an eye out to see if anyone uses the VAT announcement for a few good deals

[ziffius]

Originally Posted by DKenni

Thanks for all the replies. I'll be keeping an eye out to see if anyone uses the VAT announcement for a few good deals

On a £600 TV the VAT cut will only save you £13, not enough to swing it for most people.

[DKenni]

Originally Posted by ziffius

On a £600 TV the VAT cut will only save you £13, not enough to swing it for most people.

True but it all mounts up. What I mean is though perhaps the shops will use it as a marketing tool and have tv's on offer as well as the vat off to bring the people in.