What is the deal with DMP-BD80 pricing ? 2 weeks ago these were generally available in the $175 range. Now they're essentially 2X that, at (or above!) MSRP. I was waiting for 'The Black Friday Deal' only to discover the deals have evaporated.Is this just a retailer ploy to raise prices so the last-minute markdowns will look more attractive? Has Panasonic run out of stock in a repeat of last year's early end-of-life for the BD-55?I didn't pay MSRP+ for a 55 last year, and I'm not paying MSRP this year for an 80. (And I'm not buying that the price increase is all dollar-vs-yen float...) When the price comes back down, I will buy. But I can wait. (After all, my Toshiba HD-DVD is still working just fine thank you ;-) ) What is the deal with DMP-BD80 pricing ? 2 weeks ago these were generally available in the $175 range. Now they're essentially 2X that, at (or above!) MSRP. I was waiting for 'The Black... » Read More What is the deal with DMP-BD80 pricing ? 2 weeks ago these were generally available in the $175 range. Now they're essentially 2X that, at (or above!) MSRP. I was waiting for 'The Black Friday Deal' only to discover the deals have evaporated.Is this just a retailer ploy to raise prices so the last-minute markdowns will look more attractive? Has Panasonic run out of stock in a repeat of last year's early end-of-life for the BD-55?I didn't pay MSRP+ for a 55 last year, and I'm not paying MSRP this year for an 80. (And I'm not buying that the price increase is all dollar-vs-yen float...) When the price comes back down, I will buy. But I can wait. (After all, my Toshiba HD-DVD is still working just fine thank you ;-) ) « Show Less
871058
Yep...supply & demand. I almost bought it for $199 last week...guess I should have. It's not just Amazon, all the other venders are either out of stock, or have jacked the price way up. That's OK...I'll just wait for the Christmas shopping craze to pass...then I should be able to pick one up at a fair price.
871059
> Many more vendors were out of stock leaving far fewer sources of supply with much higher prices.Interesting that they all happen to be 'out of stock' just at predictable peak demand...> Will there be increased future supply, possibly, but you take the chance there won't.It's an interesting marketing strategy for sure... I can wait them out. Meanwhile, I'm also _not_ buying any of the 20-or-so BluRay discs on my wishlist...Last year it was widely known that Panasonic had stopped production of the BD-55 and there would be no replacement until April the following (this) year. Can't imagine why Panasonic wouldn't be able to make production this year - it's almost as if they are daring me to buy from Sony (won't happen...) > Many more vendors were out of stock leaving far fewer sources of supply with much higher prices.Interesting that they all happen to be 'out of stock' just at predictable peak demand...> Will there be increased future supply, possibly, but you take the chance there won't.It's an interesting marketing strategy for sure... I can wait them out. Meanwhile, I'm also _not_ buying any of the 20-or-so BluRay discs on my wishlist...Last year it was widely known that Panasonic had stopped production of the BD-55 and there would be no replacement... » Read More > Many more vendors were out of stock leaving far fewer sources of supply with much higher prices.Interesting that they all happen to be 'out of stock' just at predictable peak demand...> Will there be increased future supply, possibly, but you take the chance there won't.It's an interesting marketing strategy for sure... I can wait them out. Meanwhile, I'm also _not_ buying any of the 20-or-so BluRay discs on my wishlist...Last year it was widely known that Panasonic had stopped production of the BD-55 and there would be no replacement until April the following (this) year. Can't imagine why Panasonic wouldn't be able to make production this year - it's almost as if they are daring me to buy from Sony (won't happen...) « Show Less
871060
Thanks for the excellent suggestion! This was not available as an option when I was looking at alternatives to the (out-of-production) BD55 a year ago. It's got what I need - analog 7.1 out (why I am not interested in the BD60...) and BDLive (because why would you buy a player that wasn't internet-ready?). The SACD is a BIG plus in my book... I never said I wouldn't pay $500 for a player - I just said I wouldn't pay $500 for a $250 player...I notice the Oppo doesn't 'do' Amazon streaming media - but that's Amazon's problem, not mine... (I don't think the world is ready for streaming HiDef video, and when it is, there will be better choices than we have now...) Thanks for the excellent suggestion! This was not available as an option when I was looking at alternatives to the (out-of-production) BD55 a year ago. It's got what I need - analog 7.1 out (why I am not interested in the BD60...) and BDLive (because why would you buy a player that wasn't internet-ready?). The SACD is a BIG plus in my book... I never said I wouldn't pay $500 for a player - I just said I wouldn't pay $500 for a $250 player...I notice the Oppo doesn't 'do' Amazon streaming media - but that's Amazon's problem, not mine... (I don't think the world is ready for... » Read More Thanks for the excellent suggestion! This was not available as an option when I was looking at alternatives to the (out-of-production) BD55 a year ago. It's got what I need - analog 7.1 out (why I am not interested in the BD60...) and BDLive (because why would you buy a player that wasn't internet-ready?). The SACD is a BIG plus in my book... I never said I wouldn't pay $500 for a player - I just said I wouldn't pay $500 for a $250 player...I notice the Oppo doesn't 'do' Amazon streaming media - but that's Amazon's problem, not mine... (I don't think the world is ready for streaming HiDef video, and when it is, there will be better choices than we have now...) « Show Less
871061
I'll wait too! Just came to Amazon from Consumer Reports where it is listed as recommended with price of $200.00. I was shocked when I saw the price today. Hmm, maybe for $100 more, I'll buy the higher rated Oppo BDP-83 Blu-ray Disc Player with many more features, in stock here at Amazon and eligible for Amazon Prime! Read the reviews on it! Also, it is just at the MSRP of $499.99!
871062
What if I have an old Naiamichi analog receiver (pre-surround sound). Is it worth it to go for the BD80, over the BD60, because of the "high clarity audio" feature? I do have an HDTV. In theory, with the BD80, you can connect HDMI to the HDTV and then audio to the analog receiver and have better sound quality, but I don't know if the difference is noticeable. What do you think?
871063
I'm very patient and I never ever pay more than the MSRP for anything. I can wait for the price to drop and then buy.
871064
Hello! I was planning to buy this item on the Black Friday, but found the unpleasant surprise of its current ridiculous price! I will wait until its price drops too.
1250642
Just bought the KDL46-Z4100 B online for $1687 with no tax and no delivery. You just have to wait and do your research. The prices really dipped immediately after Christmas and there is apparently an LCD screen oversupply in the market so prices will likely dip a bit before coming back up. Also, Sony is in the process of really trying to penetrate the market with the XBR series so the prices are coming down on the models lower on the "depth chart".
869413
How big of a difference is the picture with the glitch when watching a BD? I am strongly leaning towards buying this TV. If this is only a minor flaw I am going to buy it, I just don't see paying $700 more dollars for the 860 just for this glitch. Is watching BD without cinema smooth that much of a difference? Thank you.
261960
I believe that Tigerdirect has the same Asus laptop with almost identical specs, but it's listed at one hundred dollars more than Amazon. On top of that, there's tax (at least if you're from TX like me). I ordered from Amazon on the chance that they may be in stock again. Haven't seen any other deals like this one unfortunately.Edit: Here's the tigerdirect one I was talking about:http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=7124324&csid;=ITD&recordsPerPage;=10&body;=REVIEWS#tabsMost notably, that one has a blu ray player and a 2-year warrenty rather than the 1 year that Amazon has. I'm still waiting for Amazon though! I believe that Tigerdirect has the same Asus laptop with almost identical specs, but it's listed at one hundred dollars more than Amazon. On top of that, there's tax (at least if you're from TX like me). I ordered from Amazon on the chance that they may be in stock again. Haven't seen any other deals like this one unfortunately.Edit: Here's the tigerdirect one I was talking about:http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=7124324&csid;=ITD&recordsPerPage;=10&body;=REVIEWS#tabsMost notably, that one has a blu ray... » Read More I believe that Tigerdirect has the same Asus laptop with almost identical specs, but it's listed at one hundred dollars more than Amazon. On top of that, there's tax (at least if you're from TX like me). I ordered from Amazon on the chance that they may be in stock again. Haven't seen any other deals like this one unfortunately.Edit: Here's the tigerdirect one I was talking about:http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=7124324&csid;=ITD&recordsPerPage;=10&body;=REVIEWS#tabsMost notably, that one has a blu ray player and a 2-year warrenty rather than the 1 year that Amazon has. I'm still waiting for Amazon though! « Show Less
1710562
Matt, the price creep is really annoying! I was about to buy this thing last week for $2199, but wanted to wait till I got home because I had $75 worth of Amazon credits that I wanted to apply. By the time I got home, the price has risen by $85!!! So unfuriating! Then it dropped another $15. I felt like I was watching the stock market! Feeling like a sucker, I finally bit the bullet yesterday and purchased the TV for $2269. I'm glad I didn't wait until today because the price increased another $50! I don't know why they do this, but it makes me very uncomfortable as a customer. Will the price drop again by tonight? I feel like I'm a rat in a market-testing experiment. I wonder whether all of Amazon's customers see the same price or do some customers get higher prices depending on how often they express interest in a product by re-visiting the same page? I remember a few years ago Amazon gave slightly different pricing info to people who had an item saved to their wish lists.
1943721
The $999 is such a super deal, that Amazon very quickly runs out of the stock each time they offer it. I have seen twice this happening after only 24-36 hours of this TV being available. I guess Amazon does not have the certainty of whether and/or when it will receive new stock from Samsung, and does not want to have customers disatisfied due to backordering (a common cause of complaints and negative reviews in other vendors sites). The previous time I had exactly your experience. I saw the deal, thought about it for a few hours, and by then it was gone. This time, as soon as I saw it back in stock, I immediately pressed the "place your order" button. This was on 1/15/10. I am looking forward to receiving the TV in a few days.
519692
Yes I also noticed that. I had purchased this camera last month and returned mine for an exchange due to possibly being defective (after an email exchange with Canon support). Unfortunately they then emailed me that they no longer had it in stock and didn't know when they were going to get more. They could only offer me a refund. They finally showed it back in stock but then I was amazed at the price! I even emailed them to find out why but just got a non answer (to be expected I guess) about how their suppliers set the prices. As you say, this price is higher than Canons, so it makes you wonder what they are playing at. I guess they don't want anyone to buy it from them...!
1552375
I went to the B&H; site and they were selling it for the mfg suggested price. No deal there, unless they are like Amazon and jack up their prices for the weekend...
1355045
Yea, I am regretting not buying this at $1505 w/ the bluray deal on wed. the 24th. Thinking wow, maybe amazon will have a better BF price, it actually went up $50. And now, well as you all see, $1,606.92+ and no bluray deal. Lets just say I wont be buying from amazon unless the price drops back down. Or might just go elsewhere....
1123487
If HD had won Im sure HD sales would be up as well. They need to also account for the lost sales. Im not currently buying any standard def DVD's. If HD were avail I would probably be buying them. Blu does look like it might survive. It will still be much slower to catch on than HD would have been.
1365529
I got it when it was just over $1,000. It seemed like the prices kept going up a bit and down. I need to replace my 42" LCD due to a toy hitting it and I couldn't wait any longer as the TV was just getting worse. Good luck on the prices! Too bad this one doesn't come with the deal of the day that that 42" plasma has. :(
2172665
It really stinks - I was waiting for Black Friday to purchase and it's gone UP in price. I'm going to rethink this - maybe the D3000 which is here for $100 off. I was so ready to buy!
1010948
Yeah Damon, I think and feel the same way as you do. I had exactly the same untimely response as you did! What a joke GE Money Bank is!!! But, I still thought the 31% off the MSRP of $3500 was a killer offer I couldn't refuse! Now, I see that Samsung has reduced the MSRP to $3200, w/Amazon currently selling at 22% off ~ still not as hot a deal, but pretty darn good- I feel that, that price will probably drop another 4-7% over the next month though! So, why not take the plunge then, and just plop it on another card?
2037716
Tech Geek, appreciate your view. How is SR11 working for you ? Junior Piquito, I noticed that AbesOfMaine is selling it for 730 (plus free bag). I've been following prices on various web sites for 4-5 weeks now. At one point, Amazon.com dropped to 790. I don't know why it shot back up. I've never bought anything from AbesOfMaine before and have had a wonderful experience with Amazon.com shipping and customer service so far. I am going to wait out another week and if it doesn't drop, will buy it from the other place. I hope amazon can offer competitive price.
950666
Well it looks like the 47LW6500 is a Black Friday deal per http://bfads.net. My question though is will this TV decrease in price for Friday? Currently bfads says TBD for the price, so it seems that it will drop in price tomorrow. Anyone have any ideas if that is true?
1355043
Everyone just wait - the price of LCD's are dropping 3-4% each quarter, and in this economy, stores and online retailers are stuck with excess inventory - less than a month ago the price of this TV was $1494, and today it's over $110 more - that's absolutely ridiculous. At Best Buy in my area (near Philadelphia, PA) an open-box unit of this TV was selling for $1,609.99 - when a place like Best Buy (with their prices typically $300-$400 more than Amazon) comes close to Amazon prices for an open box unit, I believe that is an indication that supply is increasing at reasonable prices and the price both online and offline will likely be driven down in turn! Everyone just wait - the price of LCD's are dropping 3-4% each quarter, and in this economy, stores and online retailers are stuck with excess inventory - less than a month ago the price of this TV was $1494, and today it's over $110 more - that's absolutely ridiculous. At Best Buy in my area (near Philadelphia, PA) an open-box unit of this TV was selling for $1,609.99 - when a place like Best Buy (with their prices typically $300-$400 more than Amazon) comes close to Amazon prices for an open box unit, I believe that is an indication that supply is increasing at reasonable prices and the... » Read More Everyone just wait - the price of LCD's are dropping 3-4% each quarter, and in this economy, stores and online retailers are stuck with excess inventory - less than a month ago the price of this TV was $1494, and today it's over $110 more - that's absolutely ridiculous. At Best Buy in my area (near Philadelphia, PA) an open-box unit of this TV was selling for $1,609.99 - when a place like Best Buy (with their prices typically $300-$400 more than Amazon) comes close to Amazon prices for an open box unit, I believe that is an indication that supply is increasing at reasonable prices and the price both online and offline will likely be driven down in turn! « Show Less
623941
Thanks for the info Kevin, just got back from a huge dvd store here and I noticed a lot of Blu Ray discs marked 'all regions' (1,2,3) on the back of them so Sony may be trying relax restrictions for now to corner the market here. I also just found out that's it's pointless getting a blu-ray and/or hd-dvd player as my 3 year old 43" Pioneer Plasma with external hig def set top box can only output 1024 X 768 pixels max, so I wouldn't visibly see blu-rays or hd-dvd's 1080p potential...think I'm better off just getting a good upscaling dvd player & a good hdmi cable. Except for PS2, dvd players/recorders sold here are region free out of the box anyway. Will look out for Oppo but don't think it's sold here. Thanks for the info Kevin, just got back from a huge dvd store here and I noticed a lot of Blu Ray discs marked 'all regions' (1,2,3) on the back of them so Sony may be trying relax restrictions for now to corner the market here. I also just found out that's it's pointless getting a blu-ray and/or hd-dvd player as my 3 year old 43" Pioneer Plasma with external hig def set top box can only output 1024 X 768 pixels max, so I wouldn't visibly see blu-rays or hd-dvd's 1080p potential...think I'm better off just getting a good upscaling dvd player & a good hdmi cable. Except for PS2, dvd... » Read More Thanks for the info Kevin, just got back from a huge dvd store here and I noticed a lot of Blu Ray discs marked 'all regions' (1,2,3) on the back of them so Sony may be trying relax restrictions for now to corner the market here. I also just found out that's it's pointless getting a blu-ray and/or hd-dvd player as my 3 year old 43" Pioneer Plasma with external hig def set top box can only output 1024 X 768 pixels max, so I wouldn't visibly see blu-rays or hd-dvd's 1080p potential...think I'm better off just getting a good upscaling dvd player & a good hdmi cable. Except for PS2, dvd players/recorders sold here are region free out of the box anyway. Will look out for Oppo but don't think it's sold here. « Show Less