product price comparison - make sure you are getting the lowest price you can

             If you want the best deal on a product, you should never purchase the product that is easiest to find.  Money more often buys convenience than quality.  Saving money on big purchases is essential and very useful; this saved money could be placed into investment accounts or saved up for things you really really want (i.e. travel).  Don't waste your money; get educated on product comparison to keep all the money you can.

Searching For Low Prices

             Once you have decided on what type of product you want, it is very helpful to narrow down to a specific model.  For example, if you want a 42" HDTV, you should try and find an exact model and brand that would fit your needs.  The best way to do this, if you feel you need to look at the item first, is to go to a big store such as Walmart or Best Buy to see what they have.  Don't buy from here, just go look.

             Once you decide on a specific item, fortunately much of the work has been done for you.  Simply navigate to Google Product Search (http://www.google.com/products) and type in your specific product.  This is the best place to navigate for prices.  Make sure to change the order to sort by Price: Low to High to find the cheapest alternatives.

This Samsung 42" HP-T4254 HDTV has a price variance of $849 between merchants.  Any brick and mortar retailer would price this model $1,400 and higher.

eBay and Amazon.com

             If you have not yet located an acceptably low price, the next place to look is unconventional retailers and sellers, such as the ones at eBay and Amazon.com Marketplace.   You may need to decide whether or not you want a used or refurbished item. 

             Generally, a refurbished item was a previously defective item that has been fully repaired.  For the most part it is brand new, and many companies even offer some warranty on refurbished items.  For example, AT&T Wireless is currently offerings its Apple iPhone 8GB refurbished for only $99 with a contract continuation.  This is much lower than the comparable new one.  In short, refurbished items are a very good deal and should always be considered. 

 On eBay, the lowest current price for a working Samsung 42" HP-T4254 HDTV is over $1,000 (with free shipping), which isn't the lowest price we've found.

Decide on a Purchase

             Once you feel that you have searched all relevant sites for the product you want, it is time to make a decision.  Except in very rare circumstances, in-store prices for big purchases will always be higher than internet prices.  With that being said, however, it wouldn't hurt to call your local store or stop by.

              You will want to consider whether you want to paid for this item at a higher prices or a brand new one or a lower price for a used or refurbished one.  Generally, the lowest prices on the internet will be for used or refurbished items, so it is advisable you consider these options and carefully examine item descriptions to make sure the item will be in acceptable condition.

             After you decide on your purchase, make sure to search for coupon / discount codes that maybe you can use for your online merchant.  If you aren't sure how to do this, see the section of this website dealing with coupons & discounts.

The lowest overall price for the Samsung 42" HP-T4254 HDTV was $798 plus shipping from L.A. Computer Center.  Although we saw a base price of $650 from one merchant, their exorbitant shipping prices made this option cheaper.   The total price paid was $810.48.  We saved as much as the price difference versus in-store.

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