Anyone ever purchase from Abt

[paulfess]

I think I finally decided to get a plasma the Panny TC-P54V10. I've purcahsed from OneCall in the past - Abt has the set 2339 including white glove delivery, Oncecall comes in at 2499. Reseller rating Abt is not a member its rating is 8.02 lifetime 9.0 in last 6 months, OneCall is a member and has a 9.33 lifetime, 9.71 last 6 months. So for 160 dollars is Abt a big risk?

[ben9732]

I bought my 60" Sony and a DTV receiver from Abt and had them delivered here to NJ without an issue 5-6 years ago. Over time I only seen good messages about Abt and never any issues. I've looked to them for other things but usually had found a little better pricing.

[Ray3]

Paul.

I didn't take y=the time to compare the models, but has a couple of different 54" Panny model numbers that are less expensive and include free shipping. They get excellent Customer Service marks.

I am going to assume that these models are their commercial version (includes tuner and speakers).

FYI, I bought a 58" professional model a couple of years ago and a 42" professional model a couple of years before that. They have a few more picture adjustments, but the real value is that they are less expensive because they don't include tuners or speakers. Same electronices, glass and PQ.

I went this direction because I was going to use a DirecTv receiver (or you might have cable), so why pay for a tuner. Also, I hooked everything up to my 2.1 and 5.1 speakers , everything going through my Denon receivers, so why pay for speakers. I haven't kept up, but it might be worth Some research on the Panny site (look in Medical or Professional). I alos had to buy wall mounts.

Good sources are the aforementioned Newegg as well as Visual Apex, both outsstanding internet direct folks.

[paulfess]

Paul.

I didn't take y=the time to compare the models, but has a couple of different 54" Panny model numbers that are less expensive and include free shipping. They get excellent Customer Service marks.

I am going to assume that these models are their commercial version (includes tuner and speakers).

FYI, I bought a 58" professional model a couple of years ago and a 42" professional model a couple of years before that. They have a few more picture adjustments, but the real value is that they are less expensive because they don't include tuners or speakers. Same electronices, glass and PQ.

I went this direction because I was going to use a DirecTv receiver (or you might have cable), so why pay for a tuner. Also, I hooked everything up to my 2.1 and 5.1 speakers , everything going through my Denon receivers, so why pay for speakers. I haven't kept up, but it might be worth Some research on the Panny site (look in Medical or Professional). I alos had to buy wall mounts.

Good sources are the aforementioned Newegg as well as Visual Apex, both outsstanding internet direct folks.

Thanks, I've researched the models and the V10 series inlcudes the Off air tuner - I get excellent OTA reception from NYC, theV10 also inlcudes the THX settings, it's one step down from the X1 ( the 1 inch ultra flat screen) I've pretty much decided on the V10 series, its just a question of where to buy and pricing. But I'll take look at the pro models - thanks

I had a custom console built by http://www.adaptmethod.com/ , it really turned out be just what I needed to fit all my gear and Bigfoot in very cleverly built to my design drawings, its a five piece console, goes together w/o tools in 5 minutes (or less) which consists of a base (w castors), that 3 cabinets fit into - when assembled it looks like its all one piece, cabinets fit into base, the cabinets are notched, so the stiles fit over the rails in the front, the top holds the three cabinets together and the rail, meets the stiles so it looks like one solid piece. The three backs are removable and have plenty of ventilation. Shelves are adjustable in one inch intervals. Cost was a little more than a studio tech console, but it was custom built. Made hard maple and hardwood plywood, finished in a gloss black. I’ll post pictures when I get the plasma.

[dumpy]

All of my dealing with ABT have been local about 4 years ago. I've gone to the store in Glenview, IL twice and had things delivered/setup to downtown Chicago. Both were good experiences.

[PhenomeNhan]

Why the thumb-down in the title?

I've only ordered from them twice. The first time was about 8-9 years ago and recently about 1.5 years ago. They delivered, as promised both times. When a product is not readily available, they tell you up front and let you know the expected date of delivery.

[BobJoe123]

I've purchased a lot from Abt over the years (HDTV, washer, dryer, fridge, Tivo, receivers, etc) and had no issues. They are a great store to deal with.

[skullguise]

Me, too, good dealing with them on a sub-$200 item. Fast ship, good price, and clear communications.....

[Karl_in_Chicago]

I've never ordered anything online from ABT because they are local, so my experience is strictly limited to in-store. I have always found them to be professional and competitive and, frankly, almost wished they WEREN'T local so I could order from them online and not pay the crazy sales tax rates I endure here. That's usually been my lead-in in the past to the salespeople - "look, I don't expect you to totally match an online source because I recognize you have expenses here but you KNOW how much the taxes are so help me get close to this price so I can deal with a local retailer" and they've usually done right - or been upfront that for the particular product they couldn't deal as much as they needed to.

[m-fine]

Thanks, I've researched the models and the V10 series inlcudes the Off air tuner - I get excellent OTA reception from NYC, theV10 also inlcudes the THX settings, it's one step down from the X1 ( the 1 inch ultra flat screen) I've pretty much decided on the V10 series, its just a question of where to buy and pricing. But I'll take look at the pro models - thanks

Yikes, that is a lot of money for a tuner! Give Abes of Maine a call. They have the G10 which is the same panel including the THX cert, plus a wall mount and shipping for $1645. They are not listing the V10 in 54" but they do carry the V10 series so worth a call. I think I paid about $80 for an external HD tuner, so over $700 to get one built in seems a bit much.

http://www.abesofmaine.com/item=PSTCP54G10~item.htm