I don't think I want to keep or repair this TV. I don't like DLP technology and it's also very slow and bulky. The sad part is I paid $1,700 dollars for this TV back in 2008. I swear TV's used to last much longer, or maybe this newer technology is different. The plan right now is to sell this thing asap. I'm going to put it on Craigslist for $75 while it still works. Hopefully someone will come pick it up and I won't be stuck with a dead television.
I've been looking around Best Buy and Fry's for a new television and I think I want to go with the SHARP 70 inch LCD / LED set. I think Best Buy had it for $1,999 last week and Fry's had it on One Day only sale for $1,895. Here is a picture of the new set:
As you can see from the picture, this thing is huge! I'm hoping to get it next month and will probably also hang it on the wall. This new TV better last at least five years. From what I've read online, the LED back light should be good for at least 50,000 hours of viewing.
Where is the money coming from? Am I going to add new debt? Great questions! I've decided not to add any debt so I've been saving up Best Buy gift cards. I already have $350 dollars in gift cards saved and will probably get another $600 next month and delay the Best Buy credit card pay off for a month or so. The rest of the money, around $900 to $1,000 will come from our tax return. By this time next month I should have enough money saved up to buy this and not add any new household debt.
HS
10 comments:
We just had ours fixed.The repair cost $200 and we did without tv for about 6 months before biting that small bullet. We bought a sanyo just a few years ago for $2000. Now you can buy tvs the same size for $800. And no, tvs do not live as long as they used to. I had a sharp brand tv for 20 years before this one.
Oh, HS. I love you. But I have to ask, gently, do you HAVE to have such a gigantic, expensive tv? With a baby coming soon, I can think of so many other things you could do with that money. I understand wanting to replace your existing tv (those white dots would drive me utterly insane) but wouldn't a 52-inch do just as well?
I have a 32-inch and it's plenty big enough for me. I know guys are different about their screens though. ;)
So instead of being able to lop 1K of debt off your CCs you are buying a 2K TV? This is not the short path to being debt-free by any stretch of the imagination.
I am not going to disagree that the tv looks like it is dying. We were told by a repairman when the sound chip in our livingroom tv went (we just squeeked it out to be covered by the warranty) that technology today is only designed to last 5 or so years. By then, new technology comes out. So...it isn't unreasonable that the tv is going.
I am proud of you for not adding to debt. But just be aware...once Baby comes, these decisions end up being moot. Choice between baby and replacement of something that you can live without?
you must have a HUGE room if you are getting a 70 inch tv.
Man, I can't imagine anything more unenjoyable than trying to watch the news on a TV that's bigger than my bed. What joker spends $2,000 on a TV??? If instead you would set aside that money for retirement, you would have $20,000. Hope you like the TV!
@Stephanie, I set aside a lot for retirement every month:
http://www.ourdebtblog.com/2011/07/should-i-stop-contributing-to-my-401k.html
You have to enjoy things in life!
HS
I just had a problem with my Sony DLP 60" TV. The TV had a green tint that was getting worse. I was told that there was a class action suit against several manufacturers of DLP televisions which settled in 2009 by an authorized sony repair person. The motor (called on opical block on Sony) which cools the TV was not big enough to compensate for the strength of the projection lamp. The part to fix the TV would have cost $1400 plus labor. I called Sony and told them about the problem and they offered me a new LED TV 60" for $1375 or a 55" LCD for $575. The regular price was $3000 and $1200 at Best Buy. You might want to call the manufacturer and find out what they can do for you before you purchase a new one. My TV was 4 yrs old.
70 inches!! You sound like Kevin. Yes a nice tv, but you dont have to go out and get the biggest baddest one on the block. Like most commentors have mentioned w/ the baby coming you could do other things w/ that $$. Not telling you to not replace it, but why not get one w/ just the gc's?
The biggest one is 80! LOL
OK See that's why I love my blog, everyone always talks some sense in to me, I think I will just go with a 60 inch and save around 800 dollars!!
HS
I have never paid for a tv. People have given us their old tv, and my son got his as a gift from his grandparents.
We have two tv's in our house.
My 14 year old has a 19" flat screen he got for his 13th birthday. But he does not have cable in his room, only a dvd player.
we have a 32" in our living room. It is probably 20 years old, it is starting to go as sometimes when we watch tv it goes black, but I still will not pay anything for a tv.
I would rather not have a tv at all, but right now we do watch something daily.
I don't think it is wrong to buy a tv or a large tv, but it is not something I would spend money on. If I had an extra $2,000 after all my debt was paid off, my emergency fund, and freedom accounts were fully funded, then I would take my boys on a trip.
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