Sony Full HD - 40" - budget-mid range ... read on

[pannags]

Now, for all you folks looking for a Full HD 40" Sony in the budget-mid range, what with Diwali round the corner and possible price reductions or freebies in the offing, here are the possible options with current prices.

Sony products are discounted in the range of 2000-400o only!

KLV-40EX400 - Full HD - 64900

KLV-40NX500 - Full HD + Monolithic design - 68900

KLV-40EX500 - Full HD + 100 HZ - 73900

KLV-40EX600 - Full HD + Edge LED - 83900

Experts: If you think there is an LCD TV from Panasonic or Toshiba or Sharp this is better VFM to any comparable Sony model, I would be really happy to know

Cheers,
Pannags

 

[adder]

Well if you do want a Sony its best to buy them in grey marker ,well discounts official can only be give by sony and not by dealers ,it applies to products throughout the world.

Since Sony has adapted SURE(Sony Unified Retail Execution)) policy,to prevent competition from dealers and huge retails chains,None can sell a sony product for less then the suggest retail price as given by sony.
Even if the dealer wanted to give it for a cheap price he can't .

The prices in grey market for
KLV-40EX400 is around 42 to 45k
KLV-40EX500 is around 53 to 55k.

 

[hifijay]

Well if you do want a Sony its best to buy them in grey marker ,well discounts official can only be give by sony and not by dealers ,it applies to products throughout the world.

Since Sony has adapted SURE(Sony Unified Retail Execution)) policy,to prevent competition from dealers and huge retails chains,None can sell a sony product for less then the suggest retail price as given by sony.
Even if the dealer wanted to give it for a cheap price he can't .

The prices in grey market for
KLV-40EX400 is around 42 to 45k
KLV-40EX500 is around 53 to 55k.

What is this "grey" market? How do I get warranty for this?

 

[adder]

What is this "grey" market? How do I get warranty for this?

You won't get warranty in grey market,its basicaly brought via the unofficial channels.where lcds are bought from thailand and malyasia where Sony has manufacturing plants.

 

[KDM]

What is this "grey" market? How do I get warranty for this?

Hehehe!

Grey Market products are products that do not come through the regular (usually legal) distribution channels. They come through "different" channels, usually through smuggling/bribing customs officials etc. (happens usually in India), unofficial imports (happens mostly in the UK)

You don't know how new (used) the smuggled set really is or whether it's been repaired (and if it has been, I am almost certain that it has not been serviced at the official service centre) or not...

Bottom line, you do not get a bill/warranty for these sets. And while you'll be laughing your way to the bank when it comes to purchasing such a set, you'll probably end up crying especially if it comes to service during the first year of purchase - though I know that some service stations used to service grey products, at a price.

My advise, if you plan on using and throwing, then it's probably okay (though not very legal) to buy gray, but if you need the service, than check very carefully... I wouldn't buy grey...

In the 80's grey may have been cool, it's a heck of a lot less cooler, nowadays.

 

[shredder]

You don't know how new (used) the smuggled set really is or whether it's been repaired (and if it has been, I am almost certain that it has not been serviced at the official service centre) or not...



In the 80's grey may have been cool, it's a heck of a lot less cooler, nowadays.

I don't know about rest of India but in Gaffar Market, N. Delhi they will give you an unopened box just like you are likely to get in the showroom. They will first take your money and then after the handover you can open the box and examine the piece for defects. If any defects are found (highly unlikely) they will give you another piece. The reason they take the money first is that they don't want people backing out of the deal after the box is opened. Otherwise they would have to sell TVs in already opened boxes, which makes everyone suspicious about the authenticity of the product.
And if the box seal has been tampered it is very obvious to the naked eye, so the chances of your getting a used set are highly unlikely. But all the same you have to keep your eyes and ears open if you are buying from Gaffar Market (any item, not just TV) because there is a lot of skulduggery that goes on there.

And look at the difference in pricing. For 40EX400 the difference is about 20K, so I would say it is worth considering. Sony India only offers a 1 year warranty anyway. And if you go through recent posts, you might conclude that their warranty is a joke. In any case their customer service seems to be very poor.
The 1 year warranty is just for your peace of mind. A 1 year peace of mind worth 20K.

 

[adder]

Hehehe!

Grey Market products are products that do not come through the regular (usually legal) distribution channels. They come through "different" channels, usually through smuggling/bribing customs officials etc. (happens usually in India), unofficial imports (happens mostly in the UK)

You don't know how new (used) the smuggled set really is or whether it's been repaired (and if it has been, I am almost certain that it has not been serviced at the official service centre) or not...

Bottom line, you do not get a bill/warranty for these sets. And while you'll be laughing your way to the bank when it comes to purchasing such a set, you'll probably end up crying especially if it comes to service during the first year of purchase - though I know that some service stations used to service grey products, at a price.

My advise, if you plan on using and throwing, then it's probably okay (though not very legal) to buy gray, but if you need the service, than check very carefully... I wouldn't buy grey...

In the 80's grey may have been cool, it's a heck of a lot less cooler, nowadays.

except the price difference is huge for the EX500 its like 20k.In bangalore its a factory sealed box.

 

[KDM]

Well, the last time I picked up a grey market unit was when I picked up a Pioneer DVD Player - DV-525 in Kolkata.

That thing came without a box (forget about the factory seal ) - although I did get the cables, remote control manual and batteries.

Suffusive to say that the player did not last more than two years. It gradually lost the ability to read CDs within two (and I never used it much) years. Service? Hahahahahahahahaha!

Oh yes, I remember paying Rs 20K for it - OUCH!!!! Imagine if I had paid Rs. 40K...

So yes, there is another point of view which is just as valid....



Frankly, after that, I'd rather pay more and buy a product from the legal market. The Aiwa and Sony DVD players that I purchased after this have served me very well. I sold off the Aiwa primarily due to it's soft picture.

It did have a problem with some non-responsive buttons which turned out to be dry solder. I gave it into Sony's service centre in the evening of the 23rd of December - and asked them if I could get it back on the 24 or 25th, if it could be easily fixed. Guess what? I received a phone call on the 24 telling me that the issue was fixed - so I went to collect it. They told me that it was under observation but I could take it back if I desired, and bring it back if the problem persisted. I took it back, no further problems.

I have had no problems with the Sony for the past six years.

 

[arun malur]

Any idea about grey market prices of EX 600 edge lit LED?

 

[shredder]

If you buy grey market products (or in this case, even showroom product) without original packing then obviously you are taking a big risk, and there is every chance that the product is used. The LCD's we are talking about are company sealed, same as is sold in the showrooms in Malaysia/Thailand.

 

[junkmail159]

i have also been to gaffar recently, just to check out 40ex400 and the price quoted was 45k. may be they will negotiate a bit. I feel a lot of sale happens there as there were a lot of pieces and they were bringing more.

I agree completely that it will be a new/unopened piece. but the point is that flat panel tvs (LCD/Plasma, irrespective of brand or whether bought from showrooms) have high tendency of developing snag in 1st year and repair cost is huge, many a time complete panel need to be changed. So one will save around 33%(45k vs 60k for 40ex400) but at risk of loosing a lot.

Another option is to buy from ebay.in. In around 2-3k more they will provide 1 year dealer warranty. Make sure to check dealer reputation before buying as there will be more chances of dealer honoring warranty. also check who will bear shipment cost in case something goes wrong. post your decision on forum if you plan to buy from grey/ebay.in, may you will get some feedback on dealer. Good Luck!

 

[junkmail159]

i have also been to gaffar recently, just to check out 40ex400 and the price quoted was 45k. may be they will negotiate a bit. I feel a lot of sale happens there as there were a lot of pieces and they were bringing more.

I agree completely that it will be a new/unopened piece. but the point is that flat panel tvs (LCD/Plasma, irrespective of brand or whether bought from showrooms) have high tendency of developing snag in 1st year and repair cost is huge, many a time complete panel need to be changed. So one will save around 33%(45k vs 60k for 40ex400) but at risk of loosing a lot.

Another option is to buy from ebay.in. In around 2-3k more they will provide 1 year dealer warranty. Make sure to check dealer reputation before buying as there will be more chances of dealer honoring warranty. also check who will bear shipment cost in case something goes wrong. post your decision on forum if you plan to buy from grey/ebay.in, may you will get some feedback on dealer. Good Luck!

 

[visaster]

The showroom is a rip off.
Don't even think of buying from there.
Its for the weak heart.

If you really have it in you, take the risk and you will be rewarded like anything else in life.

You should be smart enough though to pull this profit.

You gotta have your basics right before you walk into the grey market. Always go to the same guy any of your friend or friends friend buys stuff regularly.
Know all the specification and the make and stuff about the the stuff you are going to buy. Make sure you check ever bit of it.

If you really don't have this in you, walk into a SONY store like a good boy and pick the TV.

I have been using my 40EX400 bought via reliable sources in the chennai grey market and its almost an yr and no issues what so ever.

even got the wall mounting done by the sony service guys by calling the customer care directly and fixing an appointment.

If you are smart enough you can live with a gray market TV without any hazels and save a lot of money too.

 

[serious_maniac]

Better option

A much better option in my opinion is to have somebody who is travelling from abroad pick this up from Duty Free in India. You do get Indian warranty, a sealed piece, installation from the company same as TV bought from the showroom.
The pricing is 40BX400 - $903
40EX400 - $946

Add duty applies (36% above Rs. 25000). For the above two models add Rs. 5000 so approx price is Rs. 46,000.

The only issue is you get only Sony in duty free. I have seen the same price at Bangalore and mumbai duty free. Do not know about other cities.

~maniac

 

[humrahi]

Re: Better option

A much better option in my opinion is to have somebody who is travelling from abroad pick this up from Duty Free in India. You do get Indian warranty, a sealed piece, installation from the company same as TV bought from the showroom.
The pricing is 40BX400 - $903
40EX400 - $946

Add duty applies (36% above Rs. 25000). For the above two models add Rs. 5000 so approx price is Rs. 46,000.

The only issue is you get only Sony in duty free. I have seen the same price at Bangalore and mumbai duty free. Do not know about other cities.

~maniac

Did you actually get these prices from the duty free shop? Sony 40ex400 is for $544.99 at sony style usa.

Any idea on how Sony calculates these duty free prices?

 

[serious_maniac]

Re: Better option

Yes these are from Duty Free in Blr and Mum. No clue how they calculate. I am mulling getting one from the US or Duy Free. Issues in US are no warranty, no PAL, 110V but price is enticing. Duty free is of course a good bet compared to Indian showroom prices.

~maniac

Did you actually get these prices from the duty free shop? Sony 40ex400 is for $544.99 at sony style usa.

Any idea on how Sony calculates these duty free prices?

 

[roseboy24]

i have also been to gaffar recently, just to check out 40ex400 and the price quoted was 45k. may be they will negotiate a bit. I feel a lot of sale happens there as there were a lot of pieces and they were bringing more.

I agree completely that it will be a new/unopened piece. but the point is that flat panel tvs (LCD/Plasma, irrespective of brand or whether bought from showrooms) have high tendency of developing snag in 1st year and repair cost is huge, many a time complete panel need to be changed. So one will save around 33%(45k vs 60k for 40ex400) but at risk of loosing a lot.

Another option is to buy from ebay.in. In around 2-3k more they will provide 1 year dealer warranty. Make sure to check dealer reputation before buying as there will be more chances of dealer honoring warranty. also check who will bear shipment cost in case something goes wrong. post your decision on forum if you plan to buy from grey/ebay.in, may you will get some feedback on dealer. Good Luck!

dont repeat the post....Hope mode ignored your repeated post