(Read more of HD Notebook)
Big-box membership outlets like Costco, BJ’s and Sam’s Club and other major retailers such as Best Buy and Radio Shack are unveiling their best HD price points of the year for their regular customers by Friday (Nov. 28)—and in many cases sooner—in hope of luring in customers to buy some of the HD wares that they’ve been eyeing for the past few months. Judging from ad fliers, all three chains had nearly identical deals on similar sizes and formats and (although brand names, or a lack thereof, did vary widely).
Even prior to Black Friday, Costco has already lowered some prices—including a Vizio 47-inch 1080p LCD unit for $1,000. Samsung’s similar 46-inch set is going for $100 more. Print ads offer a $200-off coupon for the 46-inch LCD Sharp Aquos 1080p, while an in-store sale at one Costco outlet in Northern Virginia allowed $300 off the price earlier this week.
Costco also offers a Philips 42-inch 1080p LCD 120 Hz model for $1,100 (not including shipping and handling) after $200 off, through Dec. 7 (available online only). Most large-screen HD sets (40 inches are larger) were higher priced by about $250-$300 for 120 Hz products, which manufacturers say generally offer better fast-motion displays for sports and action scenes.
At BJ’s, deals include a Memorex 26-inch LCD with an internal standard DVD player for $400, and a Philips 42-inch 1080P LCD for $850. (Sam’s Club did not allow their prices to be posted online this week.)
Black Friday deals at Best Buy, among many, include a Mitsubishi 60-inch 1080P DLP model for $1,000, and a Panasonic Viera 50-inch 720p plasma for $900. Also while supplies last: Samsung 52-inch 1080p LCD (including free shipping and Geek Squad installation) for $1,500.
On Nov, 28, Radio Shack will feature an AOC 32-inch 720p LCD for $400, and an AOC Envision 19-inch 720p LCD for $250.
As usual, some of the best deals may only be only posted on-site by various retail chains.
