Buying And Taking Delivery Of Your New TV - things to look out for

This post is a good reminder for all readers to avoid any unhappiness and misunderstand. After all, you just spend a whole ton of green on that shiny new flatscreen TV.


First, before you leave the store, get in writing what you want.

• Take note of the sale person's name, and better yet, get his contact number. We are not talking about a generic store phone number, which no ones tends to pick up, but his or her own cellphone.
• Check the delivery date.
• Write down on the deliver invoice on what you expect:
• Installation required?
• Wall Mount?
• Cabling or extra trunking or even electrical work?
• Type of socket (USA or UK socket - get the right plug)
• Timings of delivery and installation
• Narrow down the time frame, so you are not stuck at home the whole day.
• Check on the actual number of years of warranty, and what they cover.
• If you buy extra insurance or coverage, see what they cover, and if the entire set is spoilt, will they replace it and with what kind of set of and are there any surcharges.

Ask for all the freebies and any other items BEFORE you pay. Sales people SELL, and they can promise you the world, but if it isn't in black and white, it's not their fault. Plausible deniability...

On the day of delivery:

Know who is responsible for what part of the installation. Typically they will call ahead, and you should take note of their names, phone numbers and time of arrival.

Typically, the company selling will deliver the set.

Then installers will come in, from the brand, eg Samsung will send their own installers or a designated professional company.

These installers will also connect the TV to your existing Home Theatre system or set top box via HDMI or composite etc, but with your own cables or if you bought some from the seller, they will utilise that.

They will also do the channel setup for you, but that's it.
If they are nice, some will help add your PS3, or other items, but isn't in the contract, unless you have it in writing.

If you need a coaxial cable for connection to the rooftop antenna, or any other cables, Buy Them First.


For those who are wall mounting their sets, make sure the wall is strong enough, and there is adequate clearance around the TV, and also suitable cables behind the set on the feature wall: power, antenna, HDMI etc.

If you are placing it on a console, make sure the console can support the weight in the long term, and can give you clearance to place a centre speaker.

The rule of thumb for most TVs is that when you are seated, the centre of the TV is slightly below your eye level.

This is most important for a comfortable viewing experience.

Also check for reflections and the level of ambient lighting, so you avoid a big light source shining directly into your set giving you annoying reflections.

A little ambient light is best for watching movies, so plan on a small lamp in the viewing room.

Test the set, and all the connections including each HDMI port before they leave. Have a set of screen test color slides handy so you can look for dead pixels. Each company has their own policy on returns for dead or stuck pixels, but usually more than five is a definite for returns.

Don't forget to try the sound and also legacy connectors like composite video if they are important to you.

Try to give yourself enough time too, don't schedule a big business deal or doctor's appointment on the same day. Save yourself some frustration, and get some time off to enjoy the new set.

For some good fellowship, offer the chaps sweating over your new TV some drinks, and even cakes, trust me, they will be more likely to help with the small stuff. Once they even helped me move my 160 lb subwoofer.

After that, enjoy the new TV!

Good luck :)



I have no financial interest or other interests in any of the items / events I write about.