Post by: 280plus on November 05, 2007, 02:04:07 AM
Makes some kind of wired whirring noise with no picture, no sound. Has been shutting itself off for a while now, never thought it was an issue but it got worse lately and now, no love at all!
I figure I have to buy another one. Paying to have it fixed seems stupid. Anyone want to suggest a medium range priced TV that maybe WON'T crap out on me in three years? Friggin junk they sell today really ticks me off. That's why I still drive a GD 1990 Acclaim. I'm afraid to buy anything new cause you don't know what you're getting. The wife's 2005 Monte just had a wheel bearing done. What kind of crap is that? $27,000 car and the wheel bearings don't make it 3 years? Arrrgghhh...
To the Airdyne, friggin thing better not crap out on me...
Post by: mtnbkr on November 05, 2007, 02:30:29 AM
Chris
Post by: Manedwolf on November 05, 2007, 03:34:15 AM
I like JVC as well. I do NOT like Sony. They're living on their name now, and I've had more Sony crap fail than any other brand.
Do not buy Best Buy, etc..."house brand", whatever it is. Junk.
Also, "LG" is relabeled Goldstar. Enough said.
Post by: Sindawe on November 05, 2007, 04:40:42 AM
Not sure of the innner working, its some Sear's brand that was given as a wedding gift. Lasted FAR longer than the entire relationship did. LOL
Quote
The wife's 2005 Monte just had a wheel bearing done. What kind of crap is that? $27,000 car and the wheel bearings don't make it 3 years? Arrrgghhh...
I think some Montes are cursed. I was forever having to redo wheel bearings on the '70 Monte I had in College, and the ones in my '72 are due for the 2nd time in six years.
Post by: RocketMan on November 05, 2007, 05:00:34 AM
Quote
SD is being dropped from "Over the air" broadcasts in 2008...
Actually, February 2009 is the latest word. That said, it may not be worth fixing given that you will only get another year and few months out of it. Unless you buy an HD to SD downconverter box with the subsidized coupons .gov will be giving everyone. Post by: Manedwolf on November 05, 2007, 05:04:21 AM
Also, make sure, as others said, you get digital, or you're going to be watching static in a few years. And go LCD, they're cheap, and they use much less power.
NO PLASMA. Plasma's color fades in a few years...little secret, and why they're cheaper now.
They also use up to three times more power than a tube TV.
Post by: K Frame on November 05, 2007, 05:11:35 AM
Best Buy had 3 years credit same as cash. I'm not going to pass that up.
Post by: 280plus on November 05, 2007, 05:21:32 AM
I'll be ok, I need coffee I think.
Thanks for the input, I knew I was asking at the right place.
Post by: K Frame on November 05, 2007, 05:27:28 AM
The tuner went out on my ex's old RCA 21" not long after we moved to DC. Got it fixed at a local Circuit City. About $100, IIRC.
Post by: mfree on November 05, 2007, 05:37:02 AM
Best advice is go look before you buy, and pick up one of the tuning DVD packs on ebay that come with the color filters. Avoid plasma, avoid RPTV. Don't worry about 1080p, 1080i is just fine and dandy.
Get the right TV and you're set for a long, long time
Post by: Manedwolf on November 05, 2007, 05:39:09 AM
=Best advice is go look before you buy, and pick up one of the tuning DVD packs on ebay that come with the color filters. Avoid plasma, avoid RPTV. Don't worry about 1080p, 1080i is just fine and dandy.
Unless you want a PS3. Apparently it looks like crap in 1080i, and can only be downgraded.
Otherwise, most HD networks on cable broadcast in 1080i.
Do be sure whatever you get has an HDMI input, and do not ever buy the cable from the store.
HDMI cable, gold:
Best Buy: $120
eBay: $7
Post by: HankB on November 05, 2007, 05:46:51 AM
Now the tuner crapped out again.
Rather than get it fixed, I'm just using an old VCR's tuner instead, routed through the S-video input. Picture is still good, and I can put up with the inconvenience until I get a new TV. (A 32" flat panel will fit in that space . . . )
FWIW, many years ago, we had an RCA console TV . . . problem after problem after problem - a real lemon. Soured us on RCA.
Post by: mtnbkr on November 05, 2007, 06:04:38 AM
Are there even "repairmen" anymore? AFAIK, it costs more to fix a TV than to toss it and buy a new one.
Also, make sure, as others said, you get digital, or you're going to be watching static in a few years. And go LCD, they're cheap, and they use much less power.
NO PLASMA. Plasma's color fades in a few years...little secret, and why they're cheaper now.
They also use up to three times more power than a tube TV.
Also, make sure, as others said, you get digital, or you're going to be watching static in a few years. And go LCD, they're cheap, and they use much less power.
NO PLASMA. Plasma's color fades in a few years...little secret, and why they're cheaper now.
They also use up to three times more power than a tube TV.
And they can cause severe amateur radio interference because they exceed permissible emissions, but that's probably a bonus in some people's eyes.
Chris
Post by: 280plus on November 05, 2007, 06:13:36 AM
Post by: mtnbkr on November 05, 2007, 06:17:27 AM
I "upgraded" to satellite so I could get channels such as History, Discovery, SciFi, and Food Network. Otherwise, I watch the same stuff I got via OTA antennas.
Chris
Post by: Manedwolf on November 05, 2007, 06:39:37 AM
Are there even "repairmen" anymore? AFAIK, it costs more to fix a TV than to toss it and buy a new one.
Also, make sure, as others said, you get digital, or you're going to be watching static in a few years. And go LCD, they're cheap, and they use much less power.
NO PLASMA. Plasma's color fades in a few years...little secret, and why they're cheaper now.
They also use up to three times more power than a tube TV.
Also, make sure, as others said, you get digital, or you're going to be watching static in a few years. And go LCD, they're cheap, and they use much less power.
NO PLASMA. Plasma's color fades in a few years...little secret, and why they're cheaper now.
They also use up to three times more power than a tube TV.
And they can cause severe amateur radio interference because they exceed permissible emissions, but that's probably a bonus in some people's eyes.
Chris
Someone in CA had the authorities come to their door because their plasma TV had malfunctioned and was broadcasting on the frequency of an ELT.
Also, many areas have OTA HD now, for free. And what you use to receive it is an old-fashioned aerial.
Post by: Bogie on November 05, 2007, 06:43:21 AM
My "stack" with stuff "turned off" draws 0.6 amps.
With the 30" TV and a 135wpc high current amp on, with the volume at a nice comfy level, I'm 1.5-1.6 amps.
It's a behemoth of a CRT television.
Post by: mtnbkr on November 05, 2007, 06:47:20 AM
Also, many areas have OTA HD now, for free. And what you use to receive it is an old-fashioned aerial.
Yup. A friend of mine, who was an HD early adopter, used the aerial until his Sat service offered it via the dish. It never worked well for him because he refused to mount the antenna outside and couldn't pick up HD transmissions worth a darn with it mounted inside. I never bothered because I don't have an HD capable set yet. When I finally get around to getting an HD set, I'll get the service via Verizon FIOS (if available by then) or Dish Network (our current provider).
Chris
Post by: Manedwolf on November 05, 2007, 06:53:04 AM
There's entire websites out there that give the aiming coordinates for the various satellites, as well as the list of channels domestic and international that each is sending down.
I know of someone who has that sort of setup...they get the wacky Japanese gameshows live from Tokyo. They're hilarious, if...um....strange.
This one is sheer awesomeness...Why can't US game shows be like this?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOR937PBvOc
Post by: 280plus on November 05, 2007, 09:26:07 AM
What happens to the ota signal after 2009? Lost as well or can you still pick up with an antenna?
Post by: atomd on November 05, 2007, 09:30:44 AM
As far as broadcast goes, while you aren't seeing 1080p at the moment, that is the way things are headed. Sure a 1080i TV still looks great but with the price of 1080p sets coming down, why bother? With the high def movie formats, ps3, and other dvd players that can at least upconvert to 1080p...along with broadcasts going to 1080p in the future why would you not want a 1080p set? 1080p really is the standard now. I realllllly dislike Sony as a company and I will never buy another Sony product but I have to admit that their LCDs like the XBR do look great.
Just don't buy a TV from walmart without being really careful. The ones they sell are usually made just for them to sell and are mostly made to far lower specs than the ones sold elsewhere.
Post by: Manedwolf on November 05, 2007, 09:46:52 AM
Quote
Everything I have seen made by Vizio has been barely acceptable to just plain junk. Look at all those cheapo LCD TVs they sell with 700:1, 1200:1 and 1600:1 contrast ratios. Yuck. They look like garbage.
Like many companies, they have several levels. You're looking at the for-the-masses models at your local big box store, likely. They make some that are quite good, and cost a bit more.
And LG is Goldstar. Goldstar is still Goldstar, buttons that fall off, etc.
Quote
I would much rather have a good plasma than a low end LCD.
Say that when you get your electric bill.
Post by: Gewehr98 on November 05, 2007, 09:48:12 AM
Quote
NO PLASMA. Plasma's color fades in a few years...little secret, and why they're cheaper now.
What orifice did you pull that info from, Manedwolf?
When doing my homework for my 42" Hitachi plasma, I learned that plasma fading is no worse than a standard CRT television - without the dead pixel, latency, black level, backlight burnout, or viewing angle problems of LCD.
Of course, once you get past 60,000 hrs on the plasma, you're going to notice picture degradation. At that time, you should really get off the sofa and go outside - that's 6.85 years of non-stop television you just watched, and your posterior should be as big as the sofa. In other terms, the plasma would have to be on for 5 hours a day for 27 years before it needs to be replaced. By then the successor to 1080P will be out, and the race to keep up with the Jones will begin anew.
Plasmas used to have a shorter lifespan - up to about 2 or 3 years ago. Advancement in technology's a wonderful thing, ain't it?
As for kilowatt consumption, they can indeed draw some juice. My local power cooperative did a home energy audit, and showed me how to disable the "instant on" feature of my Hitachi. That made a big difference, and I have to wait all of about 3 seconds for the TV to turn on after you hear the internal relay activate from the remote control signal...
Post by: Manedwolf on November 05, 2007, 09:52:20 AM
Hogwash.
What orifice did you pull that info from, Manedwolf?
Quote
NO PLASMA. Plasma's color fades in a few years...little secret, and why they're cheaper now.
What orifice did you pull that info from, Manedwolf?
Consumer Reports. Does being rude and condescending with feigned superiority just come naturally to you, or is it some sort of compensation issue? Seriously. You're rude.
Post by: Gewehr98 on November 05, 2007, 09:56:34 AM
I did the same Consumer Reports bit, shopped around a LOT (Something one does when plunking down $1400 for a new television), talked to plasma repairmen at the local American TV, and grilled fellow owners of said televisions, as well as owners of LCD and DLP units. Having owned several LCD monitors myself, and working as a Dish Network installer for a while, I got to see what did and didn't work in hundreds of people's homes. Not many regrets from the Plasma and DLP folks, btw. There were more than a few disappointed LCD owners, though.
Post by: Manedwolf on November 05, 2007, 10:02:26 AM
And apparently, no-one else need post any replies, because you know EVERYTHING about EVERYTHING, and will be rude and condescending to anyone who offers different information. You can't say "I disagree, I have more recent information from X source"....no, you need to be superior and rude about it.
Frankly, it makes for an unpleasant experience in posting here, if anytime you post what you believe is helpful information, a rude, superior know-it-all comes along and spits at you for it.
Post by: K Frame on November 05, 2007, 10:18:47 AM
I bought an LCD. I'm exceptionally happy with it.
Enough said.
Post by: RocketMan on November 05, 2007, 05:10:12 PM
Quote
And LG is Goldstar. Goldstar is still Goldstar, buttons that fall off, etc.
I believe LG is actually owned by or is part of Philips. As in "LG Philips". I see that a lot in researching OEM LCD display panels for industrial PCs.
Post by: atomd on November 05, 2007, 06:13:57 PM
Quote
Say that when you get your electric bill.
Actually, One of my TVs is a plasma (Panasonic) and my electric bill is fine. My plasma on @ 2 hours/day would cost me about $30 or so per year in electricity. If my TV is left on standby 24/7 that would cost me about another $17 or so per year on top of that. I based that on the US national average for the electricity pricing. Oh, and it still doesn't make a crappy LCD look any better than a good plasma. And about Vizio, according to their website the best constrast ratio they have on any of their TVs (really) is 1600:1 which is on one of their 47" models. That's horrible. Most of the models they sell are 1000:1 and the cheapest ones are 700:1. All I know is that Vizios look pretty poor overall and I have spent some time actually looking at them.
LG stands for Lucky Goldstar. And they are in a joint venture with Phillips in tv production. Goldstar used to make junky products but LG has a fairly decent reputation recently as far as most of the stuff they make. They also sell those panels to other companies who use them in their products. I don't think they are excellent or anything but they make far better televisions than Vizio.
Post by: Paddy on November 05, 2007, 06:15:58 PM
Knock it off. Now.
I bought an LCD. I'm exceptionally happy with it.
Enough said.
I bought an LCD. I'm exceptionally happy with it.
Enough said.
LCD's don't do very well with fast action like ballgames or races. They can't keep up. You must be into golf or something.
Post by: Firethorn on November 05, 2007, 07:14:55 PM
Quote
SD is being dropped from "Over the air" broadcasts in 2008...
Actually, February 2009 is the latest word. That said, it may not be worth fixing given that you will only get another year and few months out of it. Unless you buy an HD to SD downconverter box with the subsidized coupons .gov will be giving everyone. Sigh...
They are NOT killing SD(Standard Definition), they're killing analogue transmissions. There will still be SD broadcasts, it's just that they'll be digital. And from what I've read, HD broadcasts will down convert just fine to display on a SDTV set.
Quote from: RileyMC
LCD's don't do very well with fast action like ballgames or races. They can't keep up. You must be into golf or something.
They've done quite a bit to fix this; it shouldn't be a problem anymore with a quality set.
Post by: K Frame on November 05, 2007, 07:48:05 PM
Knock it off. Now.
I bought an LCD. I'm exceptionally happy with it.
Enough said.
I bought an LCD. I'm exceptionally happy with it.
Enough said.
LCD's don't do very well with fast action like ballgames or races. They can't keep up. You must be into golf or something.
Well, let's see...
I watch several football games a weekend.
I watched just about every inning of every game in the World Series, and quite a bit of the series that led up to the World Series.
I routinely watch the weekly Aussie Rules Football recap.
I occasionally watch the odd soccer match, trying desperately to figure out what people see in it.
And I've been known to tune in my fair share of NASCAR.
I've yet to notice an appreciable difference between a CRTHD, a Plasma HD, and my Toshiba LED in fact action rendering.
Post by: Phyphor on November 05, 2007, 09:36:58 PM
Knock it off. Now.
I bought an LCD. I'm exceptionally happy with it.
Enough said.
I bought an LCD. I'm exceptionally happy with it.
Enough said.
LCD's don't do very well with fast action like ballgames or races. They can't keep up. You must be into golf or something.
Well, let's see...
I watch several football games a weekend.
I watched just about every inning of every game in the World Series, and quite a bit of the series that led up to the World Series.
I routinely watch the weekly Aussie Rules Football recap.
I occasionally watch the odd soccer match, trying desperately to figure out what people see in it.
And I've been known to tune in my fair share of NASCAR.
I've yet to notice an appreciable difference between a CRTHD, a Plasma HD, and my Toshiba LED in fact action rendering.
Then again, it could be just that everything's blurry through all the sauerkraut fumes.
Post by: 280plus on November 06, 2007, 12:14:38 AM
Post by: El Tejon on November 06, 2007, 03:18:54 AM
Post by: mfree on November 06, 2007, 04:03:58 AM
That said, everything is WORLDS better in those two respects than they were even just a year ago.
Post by: Manedwolf on November 06, 2007, 04:14:19 AM
Part of the big reason I ended up with a CRT rear projection TV (asides from getting 1080i/HDMI for $600) was the zero "fuzz" on fast moving pictures and no odd pixellation or "screen door" effects on lower resolutions.
That said, everything is WORLDS better in those two respects than they were even just a year ago.
That said, everything is WORLDS better in those two respects than they were even just a year ago.
And stores, especially big-box discounters, have no problems selling you last year's model or even a 2005 model. Caveat emptor, look at the manufacturing date.
Post by: Paddy on November 06, 2007, 05:32:20 AM
Quote
That said, everything is WORLDS better in those two respects than they were even just a year ago.
That's probably true. It's been nearly three years since I bought my HD plasma.
Post by: 280plus on November 06, 2007, 02:36:01 PM
On the fritz? So, the sound is in German?
No, I threw it out the window and it LANDED on Fritz... Well, while I was at the range last night Mama couldn't take it anymore and managed to rig an old TV we had in the basement to the cable box. So she'd happy and that buys me some time before I have to buy another one. Meanwhile, I'm in Beantown today and tomorrow and my room has a Fairly decent tv so I'm good for tonight anyways. Thr effin ROOM cost an effin MINT though. It's a long story but let's just say they had me by the nads on this one. Beantown traffic SUCKS!! btw...
Post by: Perd Hapley on November 06, 2007, 03:19:11 PM
Post by: sm on November 06, 2007, 07:38:26 PM
My 1979 13" Sony with rabbit ears, did not like being dropped the last time I moved.
About all I used it for was watching VHS tapes of movies or some educational tapes anyway.
Never replaced it.
Mom, had a JVC she got from Sears.
Her Sunday School class at the time and Consumer Report "said" get this one.
It died.
"I want exactly what I had" she said.
I may be dumb, but I ain't stupid.
Sears, first stop, Young sales lady (mom wanted her to wait on her) "this is what you bought, just updated due to years gone by, and oh, it is on sale!"
Hot Damn!
Now I had mentioned a small TV for her bedroom, but I am just the eldest son...
"You know, these little Philips are just cute in a bedroom, and it is on sale too".
I am just the eldest son with a truck.
Funny, I got the 27" JVC in the house and set up fine.
Busted my ass on a throw rug with the little 13" jobbie...
"This new remote has bigger buttons I can see and feel better" - mom
"Take off your glasses and you screw this TV up like you used to do the old one with smaller buttons you could not see, or feel". - I suggested.
"Ha! You are just being cute" - mom
"No, actually I am serious, I am not sure I can survive without the weekly calls you screwed up the TV and need me to come over and fix it".
Any chance of me gaining Sainthood went out the window by the time I was 3 years old....
Post by: K Frame on November 06, 2007, 09:04:37 PM
I've got you all beat. My TV cost about thirty dollars. You suckers, paying three or four digits.
So, you get the Dumont Network on that massive, 7-inch fish eye screen?
Post by: Perd Hapley on November 06, 2007, 09:45:52 PM
Post by: LadySmith on November 07, 2007, 12:45:38 AM
Post by: Harold Tuttle on November 07, 2007, 03:13:22 AM
Best Buy ends analog television sales
Wed Oct 17, 2007 5:54pm EDT
(Adds company comment, details)
ATLANTA, Oct 17 (Reuters) - Retailer Best Buy Co (BBY.N: Quote, Profile, Research) said on Wednesday it has pulled all analog television products from its stores ahead of a planned 2009 U.S. switch to digital television.
The consumer electronics retailer said its stores were instructed to stop selling analog products on Oct. 1 and it will now sell only digital video tuners.
The move is designed to help boost awareness of the switch to digital signals by U.S. broadcasters that is due to take effect by Feb. 17, 2009. At that point, many older TVs using analog signals will not work.
"The majority of people don't know about (the switch)," Mike Vitelli, Best Buy senior vice president of electronics, said in an interview.
While consumers who have cable or satellite service will not notice a big change, those who still use rabbit-ear or rooftop antennas to get television will not be able to watch TV after the transition, unless they get a converter box, subscribe to cable or satellite, or get a digital TV.
Vitelli estimated that 25 million to 30 million households with analog TVs would be affected by the change.
Best Buy said it was the first electronics retailer to publicly announce an exit from analog sets. "The analog TV portion of our assortment has been dwindling each year," Vitelli said.
Circuit City Stores Inc (CC.N: Quote, Profile, Research), which also sells electronic goods, said on Wednesday it would provide educational pamphlets and boost store signage to help make consumers aware of the digital transition, which is expected to bring improvements in video and audio quality. (Reporting by Karen Jacobs)
Post by: LadySmith on November 07, 2007, 03:54:14 AM
Post by: mtnbkr on November 07, 2007, 03:58:30 AM
Chris
Post by: Harold Tuttle on November 07, 2007, 04:33:44 AM
Its pointed down county at Washington DC
Last month I plugged my new Element (Polaroid off brand) 15 inch LCD into the antenna
I was surprised to receive a ton of digital channels
2, NBC 4s
Fox
3 ABC 7s
2 CBS 9s
WETA, 20, 50
Instead of the slight snow on some of the analog channels
I get a nice sharp image
the Element is a nice 1280 unit
It has every input including a VGA db9 from your computer
http://www.elementelectronics.com/pages/products/tv_monitor.asp
I am tempted to upgrade my livingroom Sony 20" tube to a 32" Element
http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Element-32-LCD-HDTV-FLX-3210/sem/rpsm/oid/175549/catOid/-12869/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do?linkid=j13459594k1971&affiliateid=k1971&mid=sduidp0t541774
Post by: Manedwolf on November 07, 2007, 04:48:44 AM
There's this one in Japan, too. H.264 OTA!
We don't have them here yet. They better hurry. Lots of game fans are going to be pissed when their little LCD tvs suddenly become paperweights.
Post by: Harold Tuttle on November 07, 2007, 04:59:39 AM
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ATSC_tuner
Quote
The FCC has issued the following mandates for devices entering the US
By July 1, 2005 all televisions with screen sizes over 36" must include a built-in ATSC DTV tuner
By March 1, 2006 all televisions with screen sizes over 25" must include a built-in ATSC DTV tuner
By March 1, 2007 all televisions regardless of screen size, and all interface devices which include a tuner (VCR, DVD player/recorder, DVR) must include a built-in ATSC DTV tuner.
It should be noted that devices manufactured before these dates can still be sold without a built-in ATSC DTV tuner.
Analog TV broadcast switch-off
In early 2006 the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 became law, which calls for over-the-air television stations to cease their analog broadcasts by February 17, 2009 (this cut-off date had been moved several times previously). Following that date, TVs and other equipment with legacy NTSC tuners would be unable to receive over-the-air broadcasts. This switch-off would cause tens of thousands of TVs to go dark and would cut off many lower-income viewers from their only source of television. A Congressional bill has authorized subsidizing converter boxes that would allow people to receive the new digital broadcasts on their old TVs. The final plan is to make two $40 coupons available from January 1, 2008 through March 31, 2009 for all households with the initial $990 million allocated, after which an additional $510 million in coupons will be available for each household that relies exclusively on over-the-air television reception.
By July 1, 2005 all televisions with screen sizes over 36" must include a built-in ATSC DTV tuner
By March 1, 2006 all televisions with screen sizes over 25" must include a built-in ATSC DTV tuner
By March 1, 2007 all televisions regardless of screen size, and all interface devices which include a tuner (VCR, DVD player/recorder, DVR) must include a built-in ATSC DTV tuner.
It should be noted that devices manufactured before these dates can still be sold without a built-in ATSC DTV tuner.
Analog TV broadcast switch-off
In early 2006 the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 became law, which calls for over-the-air television stations to cease their analog broadcasts by February 17, 2009 (this cut-off date had been moved several times previously). Following that date, TVs and other equipment with legacy NTSC tuners would be unable to receive over-the-air broadcasts. This switch-off would cause tens of thousands of TVs to go dark and would cut off many lower-income viewers from their only source of television. A Congressional bill has authorized subsidizing converter boxes that would allow people to receive the new digital broadcasts on their old TVs. The final plan is to make two $40 coupons available from January 1, 2008 through March 31, 2009 for all households with the initial $990 million allocated, after which an additional $510 million in coupons will be available for each household that relies exclusively on over-the-air television reception.
Unlike my "middle class" family, most of the "lower-income" kids at my daughter's school seem to afford premium cable TV
Post by: Manedwolf on November 07, 2007, 05:01:09 AM
Unlike my "middle class" family, most of the "lower-income" kids at my daughter's school seem to afford premium cable TV
Well, you can thank Section 8 for that. When you're paying $400 for a $1600 apartment, lots of extra money for giant TVs and cellphones and spinner wheels.
Post by: 280plus on November 07, 2007, 01:48:04 PM
Funny though, the remote would only change 2 channels at a time, if you pushed the channel up/down button it would skip the very next channel and settle on the one after that. Oh well, back home anyhoo. Glad to get out of the traffic nightmare that is Boston. I hadn't driven there in years, it's gotten a LOT worse. So much for the big dig clearing things up...
Post by: atomd on November 08, 2007, 05:52:56 AM
Quote
Well, you can thank Section 8 for that. When you're paying $400 for a $1600 apartment, lots of extra money for giant TVs and cellphones and spinner wheels.
Don't forget the diamond encrusted gold teeth too! I remember reading some study where they found that the lowest income areas paid in the highest amount for premium cable channels. They also found a similar trend with extra cellular phone services.
Post by: K Frame on November 08, 2007, 06:02:58 AM
It's always annoyed me quite a bit to see the number, and type, of new cars that stream in and out of that place. Lots of high-end autos that I certainly can't afford.
Maybe I should ask Bill Gates or Warren Buffet to spread some of their overseas donation money my way because I have to keep pace with the "poor" people next door.
Funny, I have a Janis Joplin tune running through my head right now for some reason...
Post by: 280plus on November 08, 2007, 11:20:22 AM
Called Best Buy, $100 to come out and diag and then $150 hr to fix plus parts. They're not even in the door and it'll cost me nearly as much as the TV did.
Par for the course. I recall a while back when I fixed window AC units. I looked at a Sears one and the compressor it needed cost more than a new unit. And that's not installed, that's just the compressor. It's all a big scam folks...
Post by: Firethorn on November 08, 2007, 12:07:05 PM
The consumer electronics retailer said its stores were instructed to stop selling analog products on Oct. 1 and it will now sell only digital video tuners.
Just to be a bit pedantic, but Walmart sells CRTs with digital tuners. You can even get HDTV ones. Almost bought a 32" CRT HDTV a while back.
Quote
Par for the course. I recall a while back when I fixed window AC units. I looked at a Sears one and the compressor it needed cost more than a new unit. And that's not installed, that's just the compressor. It's all a big scam folks...
It happens. I've read Consumer report's recommendations on repair or replace for consumer electronics and appliances. Generally speaking, if it's been longer than a year out of warrenty you're generally better off replacing. This goes for everything from refridgerators to TVs. Washers/Dryers are about the only exception. They get a few more years.
Post by: Manedwolf on November 09, 2007, 05:53:24 AM
A combination payday loan and rent-to-own electronics and furniture place.
I am not kidding.
Post by: Ben on November 09, 2007, 06:03:38 AM
Quote
It's always annoyed me quite a bit to see the number, and type, of new cars that stream in and out of that place.
At the risk of contributing to thread drift...
One of the things that bugged me about Hurricane Katrina is the TV footage of the "poor" neighborhoods, where satellite dishes were sticking out every which way. One month's worth of Direct TV could easily buy 72 hours worth of food and emergency supplies for a family of four.
Post by: mtnbkr on November 09, 2007, 06:16:28 AM
Chris
Post by: Scout26 on November 09, 2007, 07:24:11 AM
Quote
A combination payday loan and rent-to-own electronics and furniture place.
Sometimes I really wish that I did't have ethics..........
Post by: Brad Johnson on November 09, 2007, 07:50:40 AM
Back to the thread topic, I got my Consumer Reports yesterday. They had a whole spread on "High Def" TVs. Unfortunately, they spent a preponderance of their time extolling the cost-to-benefit ratios of 720p-rated sets, recommending several as Best Buys and "good opportunities to get ready for the all-HD future of television." Most of the time CR is a decent reference for general concerns. But every so often (especially when it comes to electronics) they seem to have a collective case of acute cranio-rectal inversion.
Brad
Post by: Firethorn on November 09, 2007, 10:31:05 AM
BTW, regarding section 8 and giant TVs...I just saw the most brilliant combination store for the financially illiterate.
A combination payday loan and rent-to-own electronics and furniture place.
I am not kidding.
A combination payday loan and rent-to-own electronics and furniture place.
I am not kidding.
Gosh, yesterday I saw an ad in the paper for 'The military club'. They offered a 32" LCD TV for $1600, or $75/month for 36 months($2700, youch!).
Walmart was offering a 32" HDTV LCD TV for $749 in their insert into the same paper.
I'd almost do what some others suggested - offer fellow troops a cash loan @ a flat 15% interest. They'd have the TV from walmart paid off in a year, not three.
Post by: 280plus on November 09, 2007, 11:25:38 AM
Post by: Bogie on November 09, 2007, 05:13:30 PM
When I invoice, I tell folks 30 days or 1.5% extra, which works out to a bit over 18% per year.
Post by: 280plus on November 10, 2007, 04:56:11 AM
Post by: Firethorn on November 10, 2007, 06:01:03 AM
As a matter of fact, I BELIEVE that by law you as a debtor (not a credit card or bank) are not allowed to charge a rate more than something like .9% per month for late fees on your invoices without having a preagreement with the customer to allow more. Meaning you MAY get more but without an agreement prior if the individual wants to fight it, you lose all but the .9%. It's been a while since I learned this so I'm a little sketchy on the details. All I really remember is that I tried to do the 18% myself and ran into some trouble with it.
This would most likely be state law.
And I'd get out of it due to the 'preagreement'. I'd have a written contract.
It sounds like the .9% would be if I, as a business, offer to bill people. IE I do some electrical work for somebody and bill them $400. They don't pay up in 30 days, I'm allowed to charge .9% per month. That's ~10% interest per year, depending on compounding. Assuming I don't do something different in the contract they sign before I do the work.
Post by: 280plus on November 10, 2007, 10:43:47 AM
Post by: grislyatoms on November 10, 2007, 11:02:09 AM
When I was in the slush was $1 on $5, for every $5 you borrowed you paid back $6. Per payday period IIRC (two weeks). You could make some good $ as long as you had the muscle to ensure payment.
I did that when I worked grading and clearing, but my rates were a lot higher. $ on the $. I made almost as much doing that as I did working. Boss found out about it, told me to stop doing it. Then he started doing it.
I wouldn't be able to do it now, I have developed a conscience over the years.
