The best electronics retailers, according to research, are Web sites. Here are five good reasons to consider when buying consumer electronics on the internet.
1.Buy online
People may not want to buy online may be due in part to worries about the cost of shipping, item weight or damage. But many Web sites offer free shipping, so you don't have to struggle to fit a big carton in your car or pay for shipping.
2. Watch add-ons
Retailers may want to sell pricey accessories such as premium video cables or high-speed memory cards. Choose the standard accessories. Those fancy versions can cost twice or more as much as standard items but aren't likely to give you much performance benefit.
3. Don't get an extended warranty
By using certain credit cards, like American Express cards and some gold and platinum cards, you can double the manufacturer's warranty at no cost. Costco extends the manufacturer's warranty on TVs and computers for two years for free.
4. Consider refurbished and open-box items
It is worth buying a refurbished item if you can save 30 percent over buying new. Pre-owned items are items that have been returned and supposedly fixed to good-as-new by the manufacturer, then resold by the manufacturer.
To minimize the risks, buy from a manufacturer or retailer that you know is reliable.
5. The best prices come early in the season
We've generally found that the lowest prices of the holiday season on flat-panel TVs and more have been offered on Black Friday and the other frantic shopping days after Thanksgiving.