"At Cost" price - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

hambone · 12-14-2006, 01:31 PM

I actually got the go ahead on a big screen HDTV!! (Christmas present from my awesome wife).

My question is this:
What is the manufacturer's price on these? I ask because part of the reason we are getting it is because she has a friend who can get it at cost from him job.

I am thinking of a Sony or Samsung rear projection TV.

So on a retail valued TV of 1699, or 1799, what would the "at cost" or manufacturer's price actually come out as?

any help would be awesome!

Brewmaniac · 12-14-2006, 02:44 PM

Rarely does a store sell at actual dealer cost, you might get a really good deal though. The only way to know is to do your homework, meaning first decide which type of set you want. The rear projection is older technology than, plasma or LCD. Then check out cnet or similar review site. Then find a model that has the features you what and compare the prices online or at other stores.

The key is knowing what you want, it's a big investment so don't rush and be careful not to take what they want to get rid of. Also you don't want to PO someone who's giving you a deal, so don't tell them you have compared prices.

I was in the tv biz for years, and had my share friends wanting something cheap.

The biggest misconceptions that people have is that you make hundreds on a tv and in reality you may only make $25, $50 or $75 or less, depending on model.

Suggested retail price is a fictitious number that manufactures come up with just so stores can say, your saving some huge amount. Also manufactures have a map(minimum advertised price) stores cannot advertise below a certain price, they also have lost leaders, the stuff you see advertised real cheap. Many times they are advertised below cost and if a salesman sells to many he won't make any money and will likely get fired.

hambone · 12-14-2006, 04:20 PM

I know which models I want and have done a lot of research on it. I was just wondering what to expect in the way of a discount on about a $1699 (as priced on a site such as BestBuy) if I would actually be getting it at cost. I have a many prices from different places, and there is absolutely no pressure to buy from this guy (he was just offering as a favor).

So would anyone know what to expect for a price of a $1699 TV (this one is a samsung 50'' DLP) if someone were to get it at cost?

shakran · 12-14-2006, 05:46 PM

without knowing the manufacturer of this TV, it's completely impossible to tell you. Even knowing the manufacturer, it's probably still impossible to tell you. Different stores get different prices on their goods. Different shipments carry different prices for their goods. There's really no way of knowing what the store paid for it unless the store tells you and you can somehow trust that they're telling the truth.

hambone · 12-14-2006, 09:58 PM

ok, thanks!

Guess i just have to wait until we can connect with the guy at the store

Bossnass · 12-14-2006, 10:59 PM

I was looking into a sony lcd projection this summer, which I eventually bought. At the time they were retailing for 2000. I learned that best buy got them for 1380ish, plus some indirect freight cost. I learned that Visions, a canadian chain, had their cost that included freight at a touch over 1500.

LCD projection is the most comparable price point to DLP, but in Alberta, youre looking at a 25-30%ish markup.

Brewmaniac · 12-15-2006, 08:00 AM

hambone, great to see you know what you want and have done your homework. Is it an independent company or a chain?
Stores like best buy, circuit city and big independent players buy in large quantity and sell at lower price, they rely on volume of sales and volume rebates(if you buy so many $ or so much from a specified category or something, the store get big rebates from manufacture at years end) car dealers rely on these as well.

So you could get it at cost. I would guess they will knock off $200 to $300, on such a large up scale model, but that's a guess. I've been out of the loop for 6 yrs. now and a lot has changed!

Sorry I couldn't be more help.

hambone · 12-15-2006, 11:26 AM

No worries. Its definitely of help, and since its a gift, my wife it buying it regardless of the discount

I was just curious to know before going in to the store.

As for the place its a smaller place. They have like 4 stores in the Bay Area.

I hope its a significant amount cause I found the samsung one (at BB for 1699) on Amazon, and it had already been knocked down to 1199. This makes me think that getting it at cost from this place should be around the 1199 price and maybe less, cause wouldn't Amazon need to see it for more than cost?

I guess is Amazon were to get it for less anyways from the get go, like you mention with the bigger chains, that could explain.

Either way, I am SO excited.

On a related note, the 2 I am looking at (this is based mostly on online research, but I have viewed them both in store (circuit city) as well are:

Sony KDF-50E2000

or

Samsung HL-S5086W

---

Both rear project, the Samsung is DLP. I am leaning towards the Sony if prices are comparable since I have read much about the Samsungs breaking and having horrendous customer service.

Plus, CNET reviews point at Sony being superior, slightly.

I know of the DLP rainbow and rear projection Screen door effect, but I am not too worried about either.

Oh, and I am not even sure if the store in question carries these models, so its all preliminary

Any suggestions very welcome, I appreciate it all

monkeysugar · 12-26-2006, 12:35 AM

Most stores really don't make much of a profit on things like TVs. The place I worked, maybe 5%-10% profit on a tv. The real money is in getting the customer to buy accessories for the high dollar items that they are actually making a profit on. i.e. "Now that you're getting this TV, let me show you this surround sound system, speaker stands, wall mounts, etc. etc. etc. And would you like to sign up for the two year service plan?"

So in a nutshell, at cost is nice, depending on where you can get it from and what kind of a discount the retailer got on it, which usually depends on how many units they purchased for resale. Otherwise, the best way to save money is to be patient. Once new models come in, floor/display space becomes a valuable commodity, and that's where the prices really drop. I purchased the TV I've got right now for $450 before tax. At the time I couldn't find it anywhere, including on the internet for less than $700 before shipping. The store was selling it at a loss to free up space for more tvs that are now sitting on the shelf.

12-14-2006, 01:31 PM	#1 (permalink)
hambone Zeroed In Location: CA	"At Cost" price I actually got the go ahead on a big screen HDTV!! (Christmas present from my awesome wife). My question is this: What is the manufacturer's price on these? I ask because part of the reason we are getting it is because she has a friend who can get it at cost from him job. I am thinking of a Sony or Samsung rear projection TV. So on a retail valued TV of 1699, or 1799, what would the "at cost" or manufacturer's price actually come out as? any help would be awesome! __________________ "Like liquid white from fallen glass, Nothing to cry over"

12-14-2006, 02:44 PM	#2 (permalink)
Brewmaniac Searching for the perfect brew!	Rarely does a store sell at actual dealer cost, you might get a really good deal though. The only way to know is to do your homework, meaning first decide which type of set you want. The rear projection is older technology than, plasma or LCD. Then check out cnet or similar review site. Then find a model that has the features you what and compare the prices online or at other stores. The key is knowing what you want, it's a big investment so don't rush and be careful not to take what they want to get rid of. Also you don't want to PO someone who's giving you a deal, so don't tell them you have compared prices. I was in the tv biz for years, and had my share friends wanting something cheap. The biggest misconceptions that people have is that you make hundreds on a tv and in reality you may only make $25, $50 or $75 or less, depending on model. Suggested retail price is a fictitious number that manufactures come up with just so stores can say, your saving some huge amount. Also manufactures have a map(minimum advertised price) stores cannot advertise below a certain price, they also have lost leaders, the stuff you see advertised real cheap. Many times they are advertised below cost and if a salesman sells to many he won't make any money and will likely get fired. __________________ "That's a joke... I say, that's a joke, son" Last edited by Brewmaniac; 12-14-2006 at 03:05 PM..

12-14-2006, 04:20 PM	#3 (permalink)
hambone Zeroed In Location: CA	I know which models I want and have done a lot of research on it. I was just wondering what to expect in the way of a discount on about a $1699 (as priced on a site such as BestBuy) if I would actually be getting it at cost. I have a many prices from different places, and there is absolutely no pressure to buy from this guy (he was just offering as a favor). So would anyone know what to expect for a price of a $1699 TV (this one is a samsung 50'' DLP) if someone were to get it at cost? __________________ "Like liquid white from fallen glass, Nothing to cry over"

12-14-2006, 05:46 PM	#4 (permalink)
shakran Tone.	without knowing the manufacturer of this TV, it's completely impossible to tell you. Even knowing the manufacturer, it's probably still impossible to tell you. Different stores get different prices on their goods. Different shipments carry different prices for their goods. There's really no way of knowing what the store paid for it unless the store tells you and you can somehow trust that they're telling the truth. Last edited by shakran; 12-14-2006 at 10:28 PM..

12-14-2006, 09:58 PM	#5 (permalink)
hambone Zeroed In Location: CA	ok, thanks! Guess i just have to wait until we can connect with the guy at the store __________________ "Like liquid white from fallen glass, Nothing to cry over"

12-14-2006, 10:59 PM	#6 (permalink)
Bossnass Détente Location: AWOL in Edmonton	I was looking into a sony lcd projection this summer, which I eventually bought. At the time they were retailing for 2000. I learned that best buy got them for 1380ish, plus some indirect freight cost. I learned that Visions, a canadian chain, had their cost that included freight at a touch over 1500. LCD projection is the most comparable price point to DLP, but in Alberta, youre looking at a 25-30%ish markup.

12-15-2006, 08:00 AM	#7 (permalink)
Brewmaniac Searching for the perfect brew!	hambone, great to see you know what you want and have done your homework. Is it an independent company or a chain? Stores like best buy, circuit city and big independent players buy in large quantity and sell at lower price, they rely on volume of sales and volume rebates(if you buy so many $ or so much from a specified category or something, the store get big rebates from manufacture at years end) car dealers rely on these as well. So you could get it at cost. I would guess they will knock off $200 to $300, on such a large up scale model, but that's a guess. I've been out of the loop for 6 yrs. now and a lot has changed! Sorry I couldn't be more help. Last edited by Brewmaniac; 12-15-2006 at 08:04 AM..

12-15-2006, 11:26 AM	#8 (permalink)
hambone Zeroed In Location: CA	No worries. Its definitely of help, and since its a gift, my wife it buying it regardless of the discount I was just curious to know before going in to the store. As for the place its a smaller place. They have like 4 stores in the Bay Area. I hope its a significant amount cause I found the samsung one (at BB for 1699) on Amazon, and it had already been knocked down to 1199. This makes me think that getting it at cost from this place should be around the 1199 price and maybe less, cause wouldn't Amazon need to see it for more than cost? I guess is Amazon were to get it for less anyways from the get go, like you mention with the bigger chains, that could explain. Either way, I am SO excited. On a related note, the 2 I am looking at (this is based mostly on online research, but I have viewed them both in store (circuit city) as well are: Sony KDF-50E2000 or Samsung HL-S5086W --- Both rear project, the Samsung is DLP. I am leaning towards the Sony if prices are comparable since I have read much about the Samsungs breaking and having horrendous customer service. Plus, CNET reviews point at Sony being superior, slightly. I know of the DLP rainbow and rear projection Screen door effect, but I am not too worried about either. Oh, and I am not even sure if the store in question carries these models, so its all preliminary Any suggestions very welcome, I appreciate it all __________________ "Like liquid white from fallen glass, Nothing to cry over"

12-26-2006, 12:35 AM	#9 (permalink)
monkeysugar I'll be on the veranda, since you're on the cross. Location: Rand McNally's friendliest small town in America. They must have strayed from the dodgy parts...	Most stores really don't make much of a profit on things like TVs. The place I worked, maybe 5%-10% profit on a tv. The real money is in getting the customer to buy accessories for the high dollar items that they are actually making a profit on. i.e. "Now that you're getting this TV, let me show you this surround sound system, speaker stands, wall mounts, etc. etc. etc. And would you like to sign up for the two year service plan?" So in a nutshell, at cost is nice, depending on where you can get it from and what kind of a discount the retailer got on it, which usually depends on how many units they purchased for resale. Otherwise, the best way to save money is to be patient. Once new models come in, floor/display space becomes a valuable commodity, and that's where the prices really drop. I purchased the TV I've got right now for $450 before tax. At the time I couldn't find it anywhere, including on the internet for less than $700 before shipping. The store was selling it at a loss to free up space for more tvs that are now sitting on the shelf. __________________ I've got the love of my life and a job that I enjoy most of the time. Life is good.