Guy at church owns an electronic store in town. Got to talking to him about my recent plasma problems. He said that the TV's that walmart sells, like Samsung, Sony, etc. etc. are not really the manufacturer, but walmart. He told me that if he sold me a TV, it would be way better than walmart and last ten times longer, of course his prices are way up there. But I got to thinking, is there a difference between what you'd get at walmart as opposed to going to a non-chain type of electronic store?
Truth about Sams/walmart TV's
- Thread starter Schmoe
- Start date
- Status
I would say "no".
But WalMart is probably selling lower price/quality models.
But WalMart is probably selling lower price/quality models.
im going to say that a name brand tv part#1234 is the same wherever you buy it.but if wm only sells a part# then it may be different
Originally Posted By: Schmoe
He told me that if he sold me a TV, it would be way better than walmart and last ten times longer,
LOL! Yeah, right.
But it is true that some of the items sold at Walmart have different model numbers / SKUs. Walmart does this to make price matching more difficult.
He told me that if he sold me a TV, it would be way better than walmart and last ten times longer,
LOL! Yeah, right.
But it is true that some of the items sold at Walmart have different model numbers / SKUs. Walmart does this to make price matching more difficult.
Originally Posted By: Schmoe
Guy at church owns an electronic store in town. Got to talking to him about my recent plasma problems. He said that the TV's that walmart sells, like Samsung, Sony, etc. etc. are not really the manufacturer, but walmart. He told me that if he sold me a TV, it would be way better than walmart and last ten times longer, of course his prices are way up there. But I got to thinking, is there a difference between what you'd get at walmart as opposed to going to a non-chain type of electronic store?
Order enough of anything and you can have your name on it. You can also write the specs within certain limitations.
It is a fact that many of the HUGE chains have stuff made specifically for them. This is usually to give the client a lower price...
Guy at church owns an electronic store in town. Got to talking to him about my recent plasma problems. He said that the TV's that walmart sells, like Samsung, Sony, etc. etc. are not really the manufacturer, but walmart. He told me that if he sold me a TV, it would be way better than walmart and last ten times longer, of course his prices are way up there. But I got to thinking, is there a difference between what you'd get at walmart as opposed to going to a non-chain type of electronic store?
Order enough of anything and you can have your name on it. You can also write the specs within certain limitations.
It is a fact that many of the HUGE chains have stuff made specifically for them. This is usually to give the client a lower price...
Wal-Mart's TVs can be special models sold just there. The reason they're cheaper is because they are often crippled/feature-light. I mean, it's possible corners are being cut elsewhere, but I doubt that's the case.
If all you need is a cheap basic set, then the Wal-Mart ones are probably fine. But if you have any sort of special requirement around connectivity or featureset, you'll want to rule those out immediately.
If all you need is a cheap basic set, then the Wal-Mart ones are probably fine. But if you have any sort of special requirement around connectivity or featureset, you'll want to rule those out immediately.
Originally Posted By: Schmoe
He told me that if he sold me a TV, it would be way better than walmart and last ten times longer
UMM SCAM
if its the same model number there is ZERO difference is your middle name gullible?
He told me that if he sold me a TV, it would be way better than walmart and last ten times longer
UMM SCAM
if its the same model number there is ZERO difference is your middle name gullible?
ZERO difference with same model number and same factory warranty.
Sound like some of the "expert" oil stories I hear at the parts stores.
Sound like some of the "expert" oil stories I hear at the parts stores.
Originally Posted By: Schmoe
But I got to thinking, is there a difference between what you'd get at walmart as opposed to going to a non-chain type of electronic store?
If the part number is the same, then no, there should be no difference in the equipment. As others have said, most large retailers have special models that only they sell. This is common with Walmart, Best Buy, Sears, etc. It could be that the "Walmart" TV has two HDMI inputs and 40W speakers, and maybe the "Best Buy" TV has three HDMI inputs, the same 40W speakers, but no component inputs, and maybe the "Sears" TV has two HDMI inputs but 60W speakers. Even here, there's likely no difference in the "quality" of the models...usually just the "quantity", in terms of feature count. Generate a list of requirements first, then shop different options/price.
But I got to thinking, is there a difference between what you'd get at walmart as opposed to going to a non-chain type of electronic store?
If the part number is the same, then no, there should be no difference in the equipment. As others have said, most large retailers have special models that only they sell. This is common with Walmart, Best Buy, Sears, etc. It could be that the "Walmart" TV has two HDMI inputs and 40W speakers, and maybe the "Best Buy" TV has three HDMI inputs, the same 40W speakers, but no component inputs, and maybe the "Sears" TV has two HDMI inputs but 60W speakers. Even here, there's likely no difference in the "quality" of the models...usually just the "quantity", in terms of feature count. Generate a list of requirements first, then shop different options/price.
In related news... motor oil sold everywhere except Walmart lasts 10x longer.
Originally Posted By: mikefxu
I find atheist more trustworthy.
Thanks?
I find atheist more trustworthy.
Thanks?
Originally Posted By: Schmoe
He said that the TV's that walmart sells, like Samsung, Sony, etc. etc. are not really the manufacturer, but walmart.
No.
Like others have said, Walmart may get special, bargain models from the major manufacturers, but Walmart itself does not make them.
He said that the TV's that walmart sells, like Samsung, Sony, etc. etc. are not really the manufacturer, but walmart.
No.
Like others have said, Walmart may get special, bargain models from the major manufacturers, but Walmart itself does not make them.
pshh you should definietly write a review on google, etc about this dudes shady business
but i guess with a name nice schmoe...?
jk
jk
Not gulliable, just wondering. I bought a TV from Sam's back in 1990. Thing lasted about three years, tube went out. Now this happened with what I thought, and after doing copious amounts of research, was a good name TV (samsung). I've heard rumors along the lines of what I asked and wondered if any of ya'll had heard similar stories. One thing I've learned being on BITOG, the information is pretty dang good and USUALLY no one dogs me out......
You can't find the exact item or parts number versus other stores because of the low price guarantee, I get that. But along those lines, what else are they up to. Boy, talk about having power. So basically ya'll are saying that the "guts" are going to be the same regardless, but the Sam/Wal TV's may have less creature features to cut cost?
You can't find the exact item or parts number versus other stores because of the low price guarantee, I get that. But along those lines, what else are they up to. Boy, talk about having power. So basically ya'll are saying that the "guts" are going to be the same regardless, but the Sam/Wal TV's may have less creature features to cut cost?
You really do need to compare the model numbers and also the features. For example, Costco has some unique to Costco TV's with different model numbers than are available elsewhere. Haven't directly compared them to other model numbers to see where they differ. I would be careful though--a significantly lower price is likely to mean something such as fewer features/inputs or the like.
Different? Sure, but your local guys' would last 10x longer? That's bulls hit for sure.
Just like any other chain stores, Walmart order special models that cannot be cross shops at the low end. I've recently shopped for vacuum cleaners and found every box store has its own low price model that either has reduced hose length, accessories, dust bin capacity, etc and different model number, but the same architecture like motor and brush width, etc.
Any sane product designer would use as much of the same design to build different products as possible, and they should last about the same, just different amount of features, bells, and whistles.
Just like any other chain stores, Walmart order special models that cannot be cross shops at the low end. I've recently shopped for vacuum cleaners and found every box store has its own low price model that either has reduced hose length, accessories, dust bin capacity, etc and different model number, but the same architecture like motor and brush width, etc.
Any sane product designer would use as much of the same design to build different products as possible, and they should last about the same, just different amount of features, bells, and whistles.
As an example, in 2006 I've bought a Polaroid TV from Circuit City and it has the same internal design (and flaw) as the Insignia one from Best Buy or the Polaroid for Walmart. According to the Internet source they all died right after warranty expired.
Your mom and pop store may or may not be selling the same series of TV, but if your mom and pop sells one, there's a similar model in Walmart etc and they will all have the same imperfection and last about the same.
Your mom and pop store may or may not be selling the same series of TV, but if your mom and pop sells one, there's a similar model in Walmart etc and they will all have the same imperfection and last about the same.
- Status
Similar threads
