Slow Rain,
Hello. My wife and I bought a Heran 46" (okay, maybe it was 47") just last month. We bought it over other brands because its specs were just as good as the competition (domestic and imported) at the same or similar price and it is made in Taiwan. We went to Costco, Ai Mart, Carrefour, and Tsan Kun to compare prices, warranties, delivery/installation charges, and we called friends for their advice. We had nearly settled on Ai Mart when my sister-in-law suggested we call the guy who sold us our fridge last year. This guy runs one of those single laoban independent neighborhood electronics stores. You know, the kind you walk by on your way to the market, or a restaurant near your home.
I thought it was a long shot since there was no way he could compete with the big box stores. Heh. I was wrong. All the independent retail guys banded together a few years ago to create some sort of “hui” or association that gives them serious clout with suppliers. It allows them to supply the same electronic devices the big box stores sell, and beat their prices to boot. That was my take on it anyway (it was delivered mostly in Taiwanese with a smattering of Mandarin, so I think I understood the explanation!). Anyway, we bought the same model from this guy for a couple thousand less than the big box price; bought the Heran sound bar for $2000 less, and an HD antenna and the wall mount, and paid half the delivery charge. The guy and his assistant showed up at around 6 pm. They knew us from last year, were polite and hard working. They installed everything, cleaned up afterward, and made sure we knew how to use it before they left.
He undercut the big box stores by something like $4000 plus we already knew him from before, so we know he’ll take care of us if there is a need for service. He has to work harder and earn a little less than he’d like perhaps, but how else is he going to compete with the big chains?
We’re in Taoyuan, so you probably don’t want to buy from him, but I’ll wager you can find someone a lot like him near your home. Talk to people in your building for references. You may just find a great deal like we did.
I just read what I typed. Let me offer a little extra info. We had decided there was no need to buy an awesome Samsung, LG, or Sony LED TV. Yes, they are noticeably better. We don’t watch much TV and really dislike the cable TV quality. We either watch what is available from the antenna or hook up a laptop. We don’t need 3D capability. Our lives do not revolve around our TV, so we didn’t opt for the best there is, you know? Neither did we settle for a crap TV. The Heran is a good solid TV that was priced just right for us. I just asked my wife how much we paid. She doesn’t remember the exact amount for our TV, but she remembers the total amount. What does that mean? Well, her parents decided to buy a new TV at the same time–the week before CNY. ‘Dad’ listened to my arguments for and against various TVs and decided he wanted the same model we were going to buy except he bought the 42" model. Together we paid $45,000NT for 2 TVs, one sound bar, one wall mount, one digital antenna, delivery, and installation (My in-laws live in the same building as us. I know! I know! :loco: :loco: )
I want to say their TV was either $13,000 or $16,000, but I can’t remember. Perhaps I can get my wife to dig up the receipt.
Best of luck with your search.