Half joined the modern TV world

Yesterday at work whilst reading The West Australian paper I saw an advert for a 32" LCD TV for only $799 at Retravision. The mind ticked over and instead of working I decided that I would start my quest to buy a new TV with my soon to be received tax refund. I rang Retravision and got a model number checked out the details online.

Then I spoke with some team members about there recent purchases of TVs and researched their choices. So many choices and some sooooo expensive. I printed stuff and tore pages from the paper and put them in a manila file. I was not going to make a rushed decision.

I left work a bit earlier than normal and decided to check out the local Rick Hart store to ask more questions. Bad idea!! The TVs look all the same, yet all different. Sounds odd, but it is true. I got to hear some interesting comparisons of LCD and plasma, 50hz compared to 100hz, plus the unexpected added costs of extended warranties and power surge power boards. I left Rick Hart with a new file compiled by them with just 3 brands of catalogues as I didn't want to be more confused with so much choice.

I had organised to pick up Pam and we headed to Kambos Homemaker Superstore in Malaga as they has some fantastic specials on TVs that even my Shoprite mob couldn't beat. They had even more TVs, and poor David spent 45 mins with Pam and I explaining all sorts with no sale made. The more I heard the more I realised that it would take my whole tax return to pay for what I wanted and I had already made up my mind I was paying off the credit card too.

David said that he could match the $800 LCD that Retravision had advertised, but didn't have that actual TV and offered a different similar model. I thought it looked ugly and decided that I would rather the Sharp one as it was reduced from $1,400, but the one David had was originally $1,100. So the mad dash was on to get to a Retravision store before late night trade finished. Pam started dialling stores when we were half way back to the Vic Park area. Belmont didn't answer and Carlisle had sold out. We headed to Belmont as it was on the way home and finally they answered the phone - yes they had stock. Pam was asking where they were and funnily enough we were on the right st and only 5 mins away.

We pulled up and the shop looked shut, but a guy was at the door. He said they actually closed at 8pm, but he let us in. He turned the TV on and I said yep I will have one, how much is an extended warranty? $129 - cool. Pam pipes up and says that she wants one too. This guy must have thought his Christmases must have come at once with 2 TV sales on closing time. We also bought the surge protector powerboards and got $50 each taken off them. Amazingly the 2 TVs fitted in the back seat.

We dropped mine off first as it was on the way and I wasn't sure if my housemate Shaun was home to help me carry it. As it turned out he wasn't home, so we dumped the TV in the lounge and headed back to Pam's to drop her and her new TV off. When I got home, Shaun was home with a friend. He was packing as he flew out today. He said he had bad news - his friend broke the TV. I said "not the new one" and I was told that she turned the old TV on with the remote and it just fizzled and now won't turn on. She was mortified!!!!

I was laughing, but she was still troubled as was Shaun. I reminded them I had just bought a new one, but they were concerned that I had sold the old one - as if. It might be 80cm, but weighs 70kg and has been playing up over the last 6 months. I was so glad that I could throw it away as it was broken, rather that fret about throwing away a working TV.

So I have decided that I have some form of psychic ability now. How did I know - I have no idea. Maybe the old TV shat itself when it saw the box with the new one in it????? Maybe not, more likely I am psychic.

I have set the TV up today - well kinda. It is plugged into the new (rip off) powerboard and working, but none of my other electrical gadgets are plugged into it. I will have a go at that tomorrow. Where is a 13 year old school boy who knows exactly how to do that (with his eyes shut) when you need one???

Now I just have to save up for the Panasonic Full HD Viera TV I want, plus the matching home theatre system (only $800), the extended warranty, delivery fee and HDMI cables. Once I get that (I could win lotto) this temporary TV (as I call it as it is not full HD) will be moved to my bedroom to replace the little 51cm. Can't wait!!!!