How much has the AV Forums saved you?

**Stuart Wright** · 17-02-2007, 10:15 PM

Interested in knowing how much money you have saved through making informed decisions on what kit to buy and where to buy it from.

Rasczak · 17-02-2007, 10:42 PM

Voted for the "I have saved money but I don't know how much option". Since joining the forum it's been a period of transition for me - instead of relying on dealers and magazines as my exclusive source of info - I have been able to get extensive advice on every bit of kit (and associated wiring) under the sun. In the short term this didn't save me money at all - infact in my first few years on the forum I spent approximately double what I had on previous years

However now a few years down the line I don't think I've ever been quite as happy with my 'kit' as I am now - and that's all thanks to AV Forums. So in the long run it has saved me money because the stuff I have brought has generally been spot on. Obviously I still rely on demoes - but the advice I receive here has led me to the stuff I should be comparing in the first place.

Indeed the proof of the pudding is the fact that this year I am planning no major AV updates at all - a first for me

thfccambs · 17-02-2007, 10:44 PM

Your having a laugh?Finding this forum has cost me a bloody fortune.I used to be quite happy with my bush 28" and VHS video.

Batch · 17-02-2007, 11:29 PM

I must have saved about £600 on AV Equipment thanks to this forum!

JohnG · 18-02-2007, 8:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hunts1uk

Your having a laugh?Finding this forum has cost me a bloody fortune.I used to be quite happy with my bush 28" and VHS video.

I was looking for an option where it has cost me money ! You read about certain products and then want one, so any money I may have saved through people mentioning bargains has been negated 10 fold by purchases I perhaps wouldn't have made.

jimborae · 18-02-2007, 9:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hunts1uk

Your having a laugh?Finding this forum has cost me a bloody fortune.I used to be quite happy with my bush 28" and VHS video.

Ditto, where's the option for that!!!!

AVF has cost me at least £3000

**unique** · 18-02-2007, 9:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hunts1uk

Your having a laugh?Finding this forum has cost me a bloody fortune.I used to be quite happy with my bush 28" and VHS video.

same here. i don't think there was really anything i wanted or needed to buy that i got cheaper, but just like another popular "bargain" site i've bought a load of things (mainly dvds) that i wouldn't have otherwise bought or needed if it was reduced

what the forums have done however is helped me choose the right gear and set it up properly, or better than before

and asides from that, i've spent a lot of time every day reading thru the posts and adding to them and enjoying all of that. i spend more time on this site than all other sites put together, so there is the community/entertainment element also

thfccambs · 18-02-2007, 10:44 AM

Stuart,

i think i might have a point mate.

Quote:

Originally Posted by hunts1uk

Your having a laugh?Finding this forum has cost me a bloody fortune.I used to be quite happy with my bush 28" and VHS video.

**Stuart Wright** · 18-02-2007, 12:34 PM

New option added.

**Dave** · 18-02-2007, 1:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hunts1uk

Your having a laugh?Finding this forum has cost me a bloody fortune.I used to be quite happy with my bush 28" and VHS video.

Same here.

Tejstar · 18-02-2007, 2:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hunts1uk

Your having a laugh?Finding this forum has cost me a bloody fortune.I used to be quite happy with my bush 28" and VHS video.

Ignorance is bliss!

**unique** · 18-02-2007, 3:05 PM

you might need the disclaimer, "warning - this site may seriously damage your wealth" on the front page and log in

Abbeygoo · 19-02-2007, 4:36 PM

I'm in the middle on this one.

If I hadn't got into AV then I wouldn't have got my LCD / SkyHD etc so I have spent more money than keeping my big old fat CRT and VHS, as Hunts has said.

However, I know that the kit I have bought has been based on a lot of recommendations here on the forums and links to internet based companies from whom I have bought several pieces of kit and saved ££££ss.

So both is the answer! Sorry to be awkward!

Rizza · 19-02-2007, 4:40 PM

I was only after a TV when I bumped into this site but ended up buying a home cinema system (plus sub), upscaling DVD player and an all in one harmony remote controller as well. Oh yeah, and tiger bread too...

Rizza

hornydragon · 19-02-2007, 4:43 PM

I think you need not too look at £ values but Value For Money you may spend £1000 rather than £700 you intended but its £1000 better spent on better performing kit properly connected.

cloudcity · 19-02-2007, 7:09 PM

I don't think I could put a figure on it, but these forums have saved me probably about a week's work.

It's the most helpful place on the net. I do think we need a section on translation though, to translate all the technical mumbo jumbo (that many members prefer to post in) into English for us noobies.

featherhall · 19-02-2007, 10:20 PM

I've saved a fair bit but mostly on HDDVD's, DVD's and games. I'm really indebted to peoples advice most notebly region free games, my plasma, collectors dvd sets etc.
It's a fantastic place to get advice and tips. A big thanks to all, and the mods who run it.

rooster-x · 20-02-2007, 1:04 PM

I saved £500 on my plasma through a Dixons promotional code someone nicely posted

Got a cheap plasma bracket off Av-sales (forum power buy) and some cheap Mark Grant Component Cables (another power buy).

They are the actual tangible savings the forum has made me, the actual selection of kit is a big process of pooling information and opinion from all sorts of sources, which the forum helps with but isn't the final deciding factor, more of pointing me in the right direction

Cheers Rooster-X

mrm3 · 20-02-2007, 1:43 PM

lol.... obviously spend more

even true money 'making/saving' sites like hotukdeals and moneysaving expert cost money ! ... I have a lot of bargains though !

Miyazaki · 21-02-2007, 11:19 AM

I would have gone for mid to budget range options, but after reading threads on here I have gone for more expensive items.

I was going to get a cheap processor but got a Denon 3802 (as incredible as it is!) cheap speakers but went for Monitor Audio, etc, etc.

Paulie-W · 21-02-2007, 6:58 PM

After finding this place, i did actually save on the TV (via info on freemans 1st purchace of 20% off). But then rapidly proceeded with a ferocious trading forums moment £££££, followed by a bit more £££££, then new speakers and remotes £££££. I love it though. You got some good peeps here

AVForums should carry a wallet warning

choddo2006 · 22-02-2007, 11:05 AM

can I vote for, "I initially saved some money but in the long run, spent a ton more"

And most pleasing it is too

philthunder · 22-02-2007, 6:00 PM

Laugh! Save money in this forum?
What you thought would do the job turns out to be half the requirement after reading through the posts, 28" Panasonic state of the art seems a way off on the distant past, widescreen, prologic, surround sound what were those. I was looking at a new bedside radio, the 50W monitor speakers wont fit on the bedside cabinet and cant find anything in 7.1, oh no!

suniil · 23-02-2007, 8:37 AM

it's funny to me. as everytime i visit the forum i tend to buy something new which is not good from money saving angle.the more time we spend here the more money goes out

but what makes sense to me that, actual money spent on AV Gear is for the right quality stuff, that's what i gained from AVF.

jmcardle · 23-02-2007, 8:16 PM

Definitely spent several thousand more - from the Canton set up to the PH9 42" panel...

And I think I've discovered projectors.

And it's time to upgrade my denon 3802

And I need to go to 7.1

And HTPC - that is a definite

And home networking. Home plug or wireless

And, and, and, and...

Saved money?

Mylo · 23-02-2007, 8:20 PM

Whilst moderating the forums tonight I've actually spent even more money thanks to another bargain post

Long live AVF

mikim · 27-02-2007, 1:34 PM

I have definately spent more money because of this forum

It's not a bad thing though, and I'm sure that I will spend more

ritzie · 02-03-2007, 7:32 PM

It's funny but I was asked this very question by the lads at the AVForums stand at the Bristol show.
Actually I've saved £120 by means of this forum, purely by means of the John Lewis pricematch policy, which I knew nothing about until I came here. So thanks AVForums.

**Kieron** · 03-03-2007, 12:12 AM

I'd say a lot, from cheap deals on the classifieds, to AV deals from av-sales.co.uk, no listing fees when selling.

Fantastic site and very thankful that I'm a member.

sirus23 · 15-06-2008, 11:11 AM

i have saved 180 on a pj thanks to avforums but im sure this will raise being a new member

View Poll Results: How much money have you saved following purchasing advice given here?
I haven't acted on any purchasing advice	76	16.85%
By following advice I have saved under £100	24	5.32%
By following advice I have saved between £100 and £500	110	24.39%
By following advice I have saved between £500 and £1,000	39	8.65%
By following advice I have saved between £1,000 and £2,000	12	2.66%
By following advice I have saved between £2,000 and £5,000	5	1.11%
By following advice I have saved over £5,000	5	1.11%
I have saved money but I have no idea how much	68	15.08%
I have actually spent more money	112	24.83%
Voters: 451. You may not vote on this poll