Is it safe to buy a TV online?
November 15, 2005

Submitted by: Clara, via e-mail
I was thinking of buying a plasma as a gift (for myself), and I noticed that online prices are so much better than anything I see in stores. Is it safe to buy something like a TV online?

David Katzmaier, senior editor
Sure, it is. I've done it myself, but I'd recommend being more selective with your vendor than if you were buying a DVD or a book. First, even if you're going to buy online, it's a good idea to see the TV in person somewhere to make sure it's exactly the one you want. Second, check the Web site of the vendor to determine its policies, especially on returns--many cut-rate vendors don't allow TV returns at all, even if the product is broken. Third, make sure the warranty will be honored, since some manufacturers won't honor warranties on products purchased from so-called unauthorized vendors. The best way to do this is to call the manufacturer and ask. Fourth, look for third-party verification of a vendor's legitimacy, whether it's through former shoppers' postings on message boards or organizations such as the Better Business Bureau. Finally, when the TV arrives, open it immediately, preferably before the delivery person leaves, to determine that it arrived intact and that it's actually the one you ordered. Some shadier vendors will substitute similar-looking, less-expensive products since many TVs look so similar.

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