November 29, 2008 10:36 AM PST
TV sales becoming litmus test for U.S. economy
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The television market offers a glimpse of the broader tensions between cautious consumers and desperate retailers.
(From The New York Times)
The story "TV sales becoming litmus test for U.S. economy" published November 29, 2008 at 10:36 AM is no longer available on CNET News.
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Damn - if the lack of an HDTV defines poverty, I want to live where you do.
/P
KieranMullen
http://360oregon.com
Break the Wedge!
www.breakthewedge.com
I know I'll be called out on the next one.
Just be sure to pick up a product care plan for better part and repair availability. I don't care what brand TV or retailer you buy from. You have no idea how many sad stories I hear in the South East about electrical storms taking out TVs, or winter stormers causing with power either. Ya, the store lines its pockets more, but I would much rather take your 70 than see you dealing with your insurance company or buying a new one outright. Or course my dollar ratio would be a lot higher, on second thought, don't buy the service plan. :-) Also if the device has an optical drive, chances are you will use it at least once in 3 years to get the unit fixed or cleaned. If I can guarantee anything will fail the optical drive is the safest bet.
Now in my store location, almost all the door buster TVs sold on Black Friday. All told, about 100 plus TVs in one day. Not to mention most of my regular stock, at the same price point on that day also. I saw a larger number of cash and debit customers vs. credit customers.
Now that most people aren't able to use their houses as ATMs anymore, the abrupt drop in consumer demand is having a significant economic impact.
So why would HDTVs be immune to this? They are a lot cheaper than they used to be, but they are still big ticket items. And in economic downturns, big ticket items see the hit first.
How can it be a litmus test for the US Economy when there is price fixing occuring with LCD's? Perhaps the writer needs to read the news from his own site?
LG, Sharp, Chunghwa admit to LCD price fixing
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1001_3-10095219-92.html
Prices need to drop more.
KieranMullen
http://360oregon.com