tv's from craigslist?

[rsw21282]

ok so i am a cheap as$ and dont want to go buy a brand new tv so i have been looking on craigslist and was wondering if anyone had some advice on the overall transaction. I dont know much about all the tech stuff with tv's so are they things i should look for so im not buying a lemon? Any brands that are prefered? A max age of the tv? certain brand or type that is cheaper to fix? I am not that overall concerned with high def or anything, lcd, plasma, or just a flat screen, they all arent that important/noticable to me unless i put them side by side(granted if the price isnt much more ill take the better picture). I was wanting something anywhere from 42-55 probably. I have read the LCD vs Plasma post and seems to be kind of split so not gonna get into that one. All the concerns most ppl had in that post arent that big of a deal to me sunlight, darks, electric use unless its drastic isnt that big. Right now i have a plain old tv that is fine but want a bit bigger one for the living room. Movies, games, etc.

 

[joed]

Re: tv's from craigslist?

If you use an over the air antenna(OTA) make sure it has a ATSC tuner or you won't receive any stations. ATSC is new digital transmission standard. Older sets might not have it.

 

[ThumbPkr]

Re: tv's from craigslist?

If I was to buy a TV these days of course HD would be a consideration in the purchase but even if you planned to use a converter unless it was a CRT display I would buy it new and get the most warranty that you could within reason.I don't doubt that the newer flat panel displays are getting better all the time but I hear too many horror stories that leave me uncomfortable about them.If you are concerned about the cost then the choice is clear to me,stay with the proven technology.Ron G

 

[dolluper]

Re: tv's from craigslist?

When you go to look at whatever only have 10 bones in your pocket unless you like to be robbed for more in the wal-mart parking lot

 

[bigskiohio]

Re: tv's from craigslist?

My tv guy told me 12 years is about the max life for a tube tv as for the new types we will find out in a few years.

 

[ShaneCarroll]

Re: tv's from craigslist?

I guess it depends on how the tv was abused during its tenure. My parents have a garage converted to a bar with four tv's, the newest one probably being from the mid 90's, and they all work great. Go figure, yesterday their brand new 52" in the house got zapped by lightning and is officially dead. I have found quite a few good deals, and the 19" I have in my room (a Symphonic TV/VCR combo), I purchased it new in '96. No problems with it at all, and it gets used quite frequently. I just really don't care for the latest and greatest tv's, and to be honest, I don't see enough of a difference between standard definition and high definition to make me want to convert in my bedroom. Now, my fiancee did have a 52" RCA HDTV when we got together. It is 6 years old, we still have it, and have never had an issue or even had to replace the bulb. One note though, those bulbs ain't cheap, $115 on ebay is the cheapest I have ever found. I change bulbs for the technologically deficient sometimes, don't charge them, just find them a bulb at a good price, they pay, and I put it in. It only takes five minutes.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: tv's from craigslist?

I wouldn't pay more than 50% of the cost of a new one. Anything over that and it would be a better idea to buy a new one with a warranty. I have found the Vizio's to be an excellent value.

 

[BuzzStPoint]

Re: tv's from craigslist?

Here's what I would look for in a tv's

1st, if it's used. Don't buy the tv Site unseen...

You need to see the tv running. Look closely at the screen to see if there are any scuffs or dings in it. With it on.. may hurt a bit, but try and look all over the screen for any dead pixels. Some LCD's can have 1 dead pixel for ever. I have also seen 1 dead pixel spread like cancer.
Next, with the tv on for about 5 minutes or longer. Smell the back of the tv by the air vents it should smell like warm dust.. If it has a hint of burning electrical. Walk away.

Also do the push test on the screen. Gently take your finger and push on the screen while there is a picture on the screen. Dont push real hard but push just enough to make he colors spread away. See how long it takes to come back. This can be an indication on how much the tv is used. The longer it takes to come back, the more use it's had. It should come back to normal color within a few seconds.

 

[_chris_]

Re: tv's from craigslist?

Find someone like me, I have a 52" HDTV big screen that is a couple of years old that I am gonna get rid of for $100 because it doesn't fit anywhere in my new house so I bought a flat screen for the wall.