How do online stores compare with real world ones?
- Thread starter Polaris
- Start date
baijuxavior
Well-Known Member
I found online stores to be cheaper after comparing online and local store prices.
Warranty is provided by the manufacturer and not by the seller. So from which dealer you bought the TV is not important as long as it has manufacturer warranty and your location has service center nearby. In ebay.in some dealers sell grey products for which they provide dealers warranty which is not reliable.
For TVs flipkart seems to be the best online site, but they deliver TVs to select locations only. No location in Kerala has flipkart service for TV. Another site is infibeam, but some forum members reported that they had a tough time in getting the delivery.
Warranty is provided by the manufacturer and not by the seller. So from which dealer you bought the TV is not important as long as it has manufacturer warranty and your location has service center nearby. In ebay.in some dealers sell grey products for which they provide dealers warranty which is not reliable.
For TVs flipkart seems to be the best online site, but they deliver TVs to select locations only. No location in Kerala has flipkart service for TV. Another site is infibeam, but some forum members reported that they had a tough time in getting the delivery.
Some times you get better deal locally than online after a good bargaining. When you tell a local dealer about cheaper online price, they start questioning about reliability, warranty and after sales service which they might offer which are anyways covered by companies and not by dealers.
The main concerning part of online is availabilty of stock. I have seen couple of examples where websites showed stocks available and after few days/weeks they refund and meanwhile local deals get lost too.
The main concerning part of online is availabilty of stock. I have seen couple of examples where websites showed stocks available and after few days/weeks they refund and meanwhile local deals get lost too.
mallikyoganand
New Member
If you are after Indian manufacturer's warranty it is recommended to buy from local multi brand store. Retail chains like Croma, Reliance Digital are costly but multi brand smaller retailers sell you at much cheaper prices. I have found upto 15k difference between Croma/Reliance DIgital and my cheap local retailer on a 1 lakh TV. Secondly, physical stores offer you interest free EMIs (upto 24 months) and typically online ones are retricted to 6 months and/or few banks only.
Thirdly, you get store specific deals like all TVs above 50k get a sound bar etc.
Fourthly, only specific sites like Flipkart, infibeam are reliable but almost all local stores will offer you cheaper rates than them.
Eg: Samsung 46" ES7500 - 1.24 lakhs (all online stores); 1.08(Samsung reseller locally)
If you are not risk averse, you can try seller warranty products on ebay. For example, I found Samsung ES6220 on ebay (3D smart TV) for 50k for 40 inch and 65k for 46 inch. This is not an Indian model but similar models in india cost 25-30k more. It is a good buy if you risk not taking warranty.
Another thing is to look for site specific deals on TVs. Indiatimes shopping was giving 10% off sometime back. Timtara always has some discounts running. But we have heard horror stories about these sites so they are only for risk averse bargain hunters! You can try sites like Junglee to check prices across sites for different deals.
So it boils down to availability of the model you are looking, your risk appetite and time to research
Thirdly, you get store specific deals like all TVs above 50k get a sound bar etc.
Fourthly, only specific sites like Flipkart, infibeam are reliable but almost all local stores will offer you cheaper rates than them.
Eg: Samsung 46" ES7500 - 1.24 lakhs (all online stores); 1.08(Samsung reseller locally)
If you are not risk averse, you can try seller warranty products on ebay. For example, I found Samsung ES6220 on ebay (3D smart TV) for 50k for 40 inch and 65k for 46 inch. This is not an Indian model but similar models in india cost 25-30k more. It is a good buy if you risk not taking warranty.
Another thing is to look for site specific deals on TVs. Indiatimes shopping was giving 10% off sometime back. Timtara always has some discounts running. But we have heard horror stories about these sites so they are only for risk averse bargain hunters! You can try sites like Junglee to check prices across sites for different deals.
So it boils down to availability of the model you are looking, your risk appetite and time to research
prosenjit
New Member
online rocks about pricing.
from a 50 Rs kitchen smalll item to a big tv.
anyway manu warrranty is of course better.
flipkart....yes best for tvs.
some reputed e bay sellers also...
actually may be the prices are same...but...sometimes in online you will get spcial coupons or offers..so ultimate pricing is much cheaper than local.
i vote for online
from a 50 Rs kitchen smalll item to a big tv.
anyway manu warrranty is of course better.
flipkart....yes best for tvs.
some reputed e bay sellers also...
actually may be the prices are same...but...sometimes in online you will get spcial coupons or offers..so ultimate pricing is much cheaper than local.
i vote for online
Online pricing is great, especially for non-metros where overall sales are less, causing local dealers to not give much discount over MRP. I've bought most of recent electronics online.
Regarding TVs, buy only if you are assured of getting manufacturer warranty or if you are in the area of the online dealer giving dealer warranty. There are other factors you may want to consider: Have email and telephonic conversations with the dealer and cover issues such as demo piece, warranty, returns, courier, good packaging, shipping insurance etc. Email means you will have some record in case of issues and phone will enable personal interaction during the sale that could come in handy. You could even have them open the box and stamp the warranty card.
Regarding TVs, buy only if you are assured of getting manufacturer warranty or if you are in the area of the online dealer giving dealer warranty. There are other factors you may want to consider: Have email and telephonic conversations with the dealer and cover issues such as demo piece, warranty, returns, courier, good packaging, shipping insurance etc. Email means you will have some record in case of issues and phone will enable personal interaction during the sale that could come in handy. You could even have them open the box and stamp the warranty card.
Fourthly, only specific sites like Flipkart, infibeam are reliable but almost all local stores will offer you cheaper rates than them.
Eg: Samsung 46" ES7500 - 1.24 lakhs (all online stores); 1.08(Samsung reseller locally)
So it boils down to availability of the model you are looking, your risk appetite and time to research
Thank you for a thorough and informative answer.
For excellent sound that won't break the bank, the 5 Star Award Winning Wharfedale Diamond 12.1 Bookshelf Speakers is the one to consider!
Similar threads
