topic Re: Please Do Your Research First in Electronics

Please Do Your Research First

Lynnj — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 06:10:18 GMT

This TSV price is heartbreaking to see, and to watch. TSV price is $569. Same thing is $299 at Walmart and best buy. Of course it's only the iPad, not with all of the extra junk (which is not needed). Even more heartbreaking is that this is 2 versions behind the latest technology. Apple just released the iPad air2 last week, 16gb wifi sells for $399 at Apple. Not knocking the iPad 4 with retina, I have it and typing right now with it, but the price of the TSV is shocking. Buyer beware!

Re: Please Do Your Research First

caspie — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 06:52:00 GMT

I'm tempted, but also went online and saw the $299 price at Best Buy. The Bluetooth keyboard/cover is on sale for $70.99, and the other stuff you can always pick up here and there if you feel you need them. You can't beat the easy pay, though, and for some that is the deciding factor. I'm still on the fence, especially since QVC gives until the end of January for returns...hmmmm...

Re: Please Do Your Research First

Nuttmeg — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 07:47:30 GMT

On 10/20/2014 caspie said:
I'm tempted, but also went online and saw the $299 price at Best Buy. The Bluetooth keyboard/cover is on sale for $70.99, and the other stuff you can always pick up here and there if you feel you need them. You can't beat the easy pay, though, and for some that is the deciding factor. I'm still on the fence, especially since QVC gives until the end of January for returns...hmmmm...

A 16GB tablet from QVC for $569, or a 16GB tablet from Apple $399.

http://www.apple.com/ipad/compare/

Re: Please Do Your Research First

glb613 — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 08:48:03 GMT

Buying from QVC is as big of a ripoff as Rent-to-Own. Save your money or get a payment plan from Apple or Best Buy.

Re: Please Do Your Research First

CalminHeart — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 10:33:04 GMT

I would never buy electronics from a shopping channel. They always add extras that no one really needs and the price is higher than buying at a B&M store......and are rarely the current version.

Re: Please Do Your Research First

Cats3000 — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 10:34:42 GMT

My formula for buying ANY Apple Product is simple. I will buy ONLY from the Apple Store on-line, OR an Apple Retail Store, OR an Apple Authorized Reseller. The ONLY extended service plan that I will buy is Apple Care. Using this formula, I'm sure that I'll get the sales help (no commission sales people) I need and the products i want.

Re: Please Do Your Research First

Allegedly — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 11:40:53 GMT

I wish QVC would just plainly state what version of the iPad this is to the viewers. The presentations make it seem like it is the most recent iteration.

Recently Craig Smith was selling the iPad 2 and demonstrating the photo stream. I sent an ""Ask Us Live"" question if the photos were taken with that iPad or a different device because I know the quality of the camera on the iPad 2. There is NO WAY he got such high quality photos from an iPad 2 which seems deceptive to me. Of course he never addressed this...

Re: Please Do Your Research First

Cookie2025 — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 12:09:45 GMT

Thank You for taking time to post this information

Re: Please Do Your Research First

Campion — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 12:14:26 GMT

Generally, I find that electronic prices are not the lowest at Q or HSN. They may benefit from the trust factor of buying from them (returns are not insanely complicated, though you have to pay return shipping unless it's defective.) A lot of electronics outlets have bad return policies--try to charge restocking fees up to 15% or are in some way inconvenient.

However, I tend not to buy electronics here as they are often ten percent higher than they need to be. The margin on electronics is low--maybe four percent profit. So if you don't buy in electronics all the time (just as a special) you probably don't get a very low price as a supplier--ie Q and H are at somewhat of a disadvantage compared to Walmart.

Re: Please Do Your Research First

gardensla — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 12:29:09 GMT

While it should always be "buyer beware" to me it's truly unfortunate that customers, many I'm assuming are older and perhaps buying this for a gift, feel so safe putting their faith in QVC to offer them the best VALUE when clearly this is not the case. I think QVC is letting their customer down on this one.

More than 1/2 of their MSRP is based on accessories and a service package that's incredibly over-valued. I'm also guessing those 6 easy pays are driving sales, too.

Re: Please Do Your Research First

Esmollin — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 12:31:55 GMT

I would rather go to the Apple Store. For this price you can get the newest version. Ridiculous.

Re: Please Do Your Research First

Still Raining — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 12:56:10 GMT

But wait...this TSV has the iOS 7 operating system AND built-in Wi-Fi, microphone, Siri app, and battery AS WELL AS being imported.

What is not to like? Wonder how long it has been sitting in the warehouse to have such an outdated OS?

Re: Please Do Your Research First

Roni — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 16:53:13 GMT

So true...as is always the case when any of the channels do an Apple TSV....and most are not aware that IF you go directly to Apple, you can get a reconditioned of most models at a greatly reduced price and the same warranty as the original. ...The biggest upsetting thing to me is the ''lifetime support for $629." ...not EVEN Apple support. Really??? and the glass cover?? The iPad comes with all you need to get started - the iPad and the plug to charge it. A cover is nice, keyboard NOT necessary, earbuds not nice, but you can buy them at Apple even for under $20. all day long.... Also I know people who have bought directly at Apple and made 6 equal payments - no charge if paid in full within 6 months.... not sure the details...? Apple credit?? but it has been done...so save money and shop wisely

Re: Please Do Your Research First

ValuSkr — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 17:12:33 GMT

Thanks for the advice. I'll NOT be buying an iPad from the Q.

Re: Please Do Your Research First

ChynnaBlue — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 17:41:30 GMT

"Please do your research first" is good advice for ANY purchase, but especially electronics.

We've seen people come to the forums and say they rely on easy pay because they can't get or don't have a credit card. I really feel like the jacked up prices on some things are the penalty they're paying for not having the credit card.

The Apple store does offer financing options, but you have to pass a credit check. As far as I know, QVC does not require a credit check. If you can pass a credit check, the Apple store with financing is a better way to do this - 6 payments in 6 months for anything under $499 and payment options scale for more expensive devices.

I did buy the Kindle HDX TSV, but I first compared prices on Amazon and I was fully aware that I was not buying the latest version and I was okay with that because it absolutely worked for what I intended to use it for.

QVC tends to offer these older models right around the time that each brand (Amazon, Apple) is offering a new model and, as Smurfette pointed out, they don't stress that they are selling the older model. Buzz in the news about a new Kindle? Oh, look, QVC has the Kindle (last year's model) on sale! Buzz about the new iPads? Oh, look, here's a new TSV bundle with an fancy (old) iPad. It confuses people and I think it feels deceptive because too many people do NOT do their research.

Re: Please Do Your Research First

mima — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 17:43:52 GMT

On 10/21/2014 ChynnaBlue said:
"Please do your research first" is good advice for ANY purchase, but especially electronics.

We've seen people come to the forums and say they rely on easy pay because they can't get or don't have a credit card. I really feel like the jacked up prices on some things are the penalty they're paying for not having the credit card.

The Apple store does offer financing options, but you have to pass a credit check. As far as I know, QVC does not require a credit check. If you can pass a credit check, the Apple store with financing is a better way to do this - 6 payments in 6 months for anything under $499 and payment options scale for more expensive devices.

I did buy the Kindle HDX TSV, but I first compared prices on Amazon and I was fully aware that I was not buying the latest version and I was okay with that because it absolutely worked for what I intended to use it for.

QVC tends to offer these older models right around the time that each brand (Amazon, Apple) is offering a new model and, as Smurfette pointed out, they don't stress that they are selling the older model. Buzz in the news about a new Kindle? Oh, look, QVC has the Kindle (last year's model) on sale! Buzz about the new iPads? Oh, look, here's a new TSV bundle with an fancy (old) iPad. It confuses people and I think it feels deceptive because too many people do NOT do their research.

If it was the 7" HDX, that has not been updated since last year. So in reality it is the latest model available. The 8.9" HDX was upgraded from last year, but not the 7".

Re: Please Do Your Research First

chickenbutt — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 18:59:51 GMT

Lynn and Gail, as usual, are telling the truth 100%. I just wish people would listen, as this has been pointed out time and again by so many of us here.

Even the 'but I want ezpay' argument doesn't make sense when you're paying $200-$300 more on QVC (or whichever shopping network du jour). If you cannot afford it, you cannot afford it. But another fact of the matter is - if you are purchasing from the manufacturer, they all offer interest-free payments anywhere from 6 pmts to 18 pmts, depending on the amount spent.

Any way you cut it, it is NOT worth it to pay significantly more for electronics just to get them at QVC (why? Is it a more trusted retailer than pretty much ANY other?) and/or to get ezpay.

Re: Please Do Your Research First

Nightowlz — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 19:37:52 GMT

Yes please do your research. Wonder how many people got ripped on that. Yet again another rip-off iPad. I research before I buy almost anything especially when you are talking about the price of an iPad. Do yourself a favor & pay yourself ez pay & buy it from Apple instead & save some money.

Re: Please Do Your Research First

lsertic — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 19:46:47 GMT

Totally agree with everything said here. Right now at apple.com you can get a refurbished 4th generation iPad with retina display with 16GB of storage for $299. I have purchased a lot of refurb items and have not had any issues. And, they carry a 1 year warranty. You can also spend less ($489 to be exact) than the TSV price and get a 128GB model! I know people really like the EasyPay option, but, IMO, it isn't a great deal when the product is marked up to begin with.

Re: Please Do Your Research First

ccassaday — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 19:56:43 GMT

Even if you cant pass the credit check at the apple store all you have to do is take t he easy pay qvc is offering. Put that money in an envelope every month. In six months you will have the cash to buy a more updated one then qvc is offering.