Cheap TVs - Penny-wise, Pound-foolish?

Google trend suggests that search for 'Cheap TVs' is always on the upper side during the holiday season till new year. Watch the spikes in the above graph. The trend clearly gives us a picture that more and more Internet users are searching for cheap TVs nowadays than ever before. The reason is understandable. But my point is something different. You may end up bringing home a lot of misery along with the new home entertainment device, if you overlook a few basics. So, let me explain these points in details.

1. Cheap is not always the best: You may be one of the many proverbial 'Penny Wise, Pound Foolish' people. Remember in consumer electronics, you get exactly what you pay for. A cheap set may invite a lot of trouble. You may feel helpless. You may feel cheated. And for all that misery you can only put blame on yourself. But why?
2. You should know the manufacturer: Most TVs in the market place come from brands you know - like LG, Samsung, Sony, Sharp, Toshiba just to name a few. But if you stick to price point, you can find a model at literally throwaway price. Chances are that you immediately book the order lured by provoking price offer. And you may be trapped. Unknown brands can compete on price offering the lowest rate in the market mostly because these sets are made of poor quality materials, and followed by a low or no quality testing.
3. Quality Control is important: When you bring home something new, you must have noticed a sticker - 'tested ok', or, something likewise. For branded companies, it really means something. They usually employ a quality audit on their production line and reject a lot (a bundle of items), if a given fraction of the total items fail to qualify. This rejection ratio is based on statistical data. So, when you bring home a branded TV, you can trust its quality. Saying so, I must admit that nobody can guarantee quality or lifetime of any consumer electronics. But chance of failure reduces because of stringent quality audit. Big companies do so to upheld their brand values. So, you are paying for the product as well as for their brand value. For others, a sticker is noting more than a sticker - it does not cost must to procure and fix on a set. So, here lies the difference.
4. TV quality and features: Another subtle difference is the quality of the TV itself. Oftentimes it is reported that a cheap TV can lead to redness and irritation of eyes, the picture may look dull or blurry with annoying noise. These models depreciate at a faster rate than their branded counterparts. Chances are that after two to three years, cheap sets can become a real problem to watch. Besides, you need to be aware of the HDTV terminologies. The basics include screen size, resolution, 2D/ 3D TV, and a few fancy features. While you can skip a few fancy features but usually you need a legitimate screen size like 32" - 46", 1080p resolution, HDMI support (must for gamers) etc. etc. And although 3D TV has already entered the market but it will be too early to bring home a 3D TV considering lack of supporting programs. So, when you find a price too good to be true, compare its specification with other standard models.
5. Warranty & Support: No one can warrant that your new TV will continue to run trouble free. These devices are made based on sophisticated technology and are prone to failure. Maintenance at your own cost can be expensive. So, check well for the manufacturer's warranty. Usually brand new models are covered under two to three years of term. I have seen these days various companies are offering extended warranty plans for extra price. It does not really make any sense to enter into such agreement as it will cost you much more than a regular repair cost.
6. After sale service: You should buy a TV from a company, which can provide after sale service. Most major players invest in spreading their network of service stations nationwide. Unknown manufacturers can severely lack in providing this much needed facility. Check well for availability of service station near your home. Otherwise, be prepared to pay the service and replacement charges each time your TV goes out of order. It may also become extremely difficult to repair cheap TVs for want of spare parts and at times when it matters most you may just discover that the company itself has meanwhile gone away. So, it is better to stay away from them.

Remember, TV is nowadays essential. You get many important news, weather alerts, etc. etc. apart from it's key role in home entertainment. But this is a really tough time so far as money matter is concerned for most of us. So, we have to find something really cheap. Because of my exposure in online retail industry over the past six years, I have seen a lot of time brand name companies offer rebates on their TV models, popularly known as 'deals'. So, my best advice is to look for TV deals. You are sure to find a model within your budget from a company you know and trust.