[MadManofBethesda]

Originally Posted by delgadobb

If I sound like I'm gushing, not everything about Fry's is good. Their customer service sucks. No point in trying to mince words, it's beyond deplorable. That's probably what keeps Joe Average out of the store, cuz if you need help from them, forget it....

.....When all is said & done, if you can deal with the (lack of) customer service, Fry's is a great place to shop for electronics.

Well, I hope that this doesn't come out wrong or make me appear snobbish, but price is really not an issue for me. Given the same product, I am much more interested in good customer service than getting the best price on a product, and am willing to pay extra for that customer service.

I'm also not much of a techie, so I do need help when I buy such items. For example, the last tv I bought was a 50" rear projection Mitsubishi about 10 years ago, and my current desktop computer is a Gateway running XP from around 2003, both of which are being thrown away rather than moved across the country. (Before you start laughing, I do have a one-year old Sony Vaio laptop.)

Given those parameters, it doesn't appear that Fry's is a good match for me. Is Ultimate Electronics any better? That is another firm of which I am unfamiliar. If not, is there a local audio-video store that specializes in service over price that you might be able to recommend? I know that in this age of Best Buy, Costco, Sam's Club and WalMart, such small, locally-run stores are fast becoming extinct because they can't compete with the big guys, but I'd like to give my money to a locally-run Las Vegas business that specializes in service if such an entity exists.

[las vegas drunk]

Originally Posted by MadManofBethesda

Well, I hope that this doesn't come out wrong or make me appear snobbish, but price is really not an issue for me. Given the same product, I am much more interested in good customer service than getting the best price on a product, and am willing to pay extra for that customer service.

I agree. I recently upgraded my computer, monitor and television. As far as a television, the new Sharp LED televisions cannot be beat as they are the only LED televisions that are not edge lit like the others (Samsung, LG, etc).

[logline]

Never mount a TV above a fireplace for 2 reasons:

1. The heat can damage the TV (depending on how your fireplace/mantle is situated)
2. Your eye level should be about 1/3rd of the way up the screen for optimal viewing. Having it sit way up above the fireplace will annoy you over long periods. Trust me on this.

[Spexs]

I have Dish Network and love the picture/price/customer service.

If you care about sling and/or dvr they just added an online DVR service that connects to your DVR receiver, an iPhone app is also available.

As far as where to buy a TV... I'm partial to RC Willey. The employee's really know what they're talking about and they always carry good high quality products. They also give a reasonable price on Delivery/Installation.

Cox Cable is expensive for what they have to offer in terms of HD. DirecTV definitely has the most to offer but you pay for what you're getting. I think Dish is a comfortable middle.

[skisickie]

why don't you donate those items? I'm sure you will be.

[mojavedxer]

Originally Posted by MediocreButArrogant

There is a connection between Fry's and Las Vegas, besides the store on Las Vegas Blvd. The guy in charge of purchasing for Fry's received $65 million of illegal kickbacks from vendors, and lost over $160 million to Las Vegas casinos.

His salary was $225k/yr, but he reportedly lost as much as $8 million in a single day.

Debt finally topples a Las Vegas high roller - Los Angeles Times

Yes thet are one and the same. I think that guy got canned at Fry's. Fry's will give you the best no haggle price. The sales folks at Sears and RC Willy will haggle if you want to go that route. I use a a couple of internet vendors and Pilot Air for transport and delivery for my home theater purchases. Most of the stuff I am interested in can not be found locally.

[MediocreButArrogant]

Originally Posted by MadManofBethesda

Well, I hope that this doesn't come out wrong or make me appear snobbish, but price is really not an issue for me. Given the same product, I am much more interested in good customer service than getting the best price on a product, and am willing to pay extra for that customer service.

If money is truly no object, then you should be going the custom installer route. You hire a contractor who can install (or subcontract out) installation of your home automation system, whole-house music system, security cameras, home theater, TVs, etc. You can sip champagne and get your feet massaged on your patio while he shows you pictures of installs he's done on other people's homes.

I don't know what customer service means to you - is that pre-sales or post-sales, or both? If you require pre-sales education, I don't think any big-box store can provide that. You'd be better off talking to someone from OneCall or Crutchfield on the phone, or taking advice from some anonymous stranger on an Internet forum than talk to some minimum-wage flunkie on the floor at Best Buy. There are some people who consider it a sport to bait Best Buy employees into saying something stupid and then sharing some of the better responses on online AV forums. Honestly, I think I'd get better service with white-glove delivery service from OneCall.com than by buying locally from Best Buy.

You might fine someone clueful inside the Magnolia Home Theater store inside of Best Buy. Magnolia Hi Fi was a chain that I believe started in Seattle, and sold midrange and "low-end" high-end audio and video equipment. Best Buy bought them and while some Magnolia Hi Fi stores continue to operate standalone, smaller Magnolia Home Theater stores have been opened inside of Best Buy stores.

[MediocreButArrogant]

Originally Posted by mojavedxer

Most of the stuff I am interested in can not be found locally.

Funny that you mention that. What I've found is that there is no middle-ground in Las Vegas. If you're wealthy, you go the custom install route, and if you're everyone else, you buy an HTIB (home theater in a box) from Best Buy, Costco, Walmart, wherever. There is no middle ground, and therefore very few stores that cater to someone who wants to spend $5-10k, but not $100k. Right after Christmas I actually made a two-day trip by car to Los Angeles just to pick up some home theater equipment that couldn't be purchased in Las Vegas. You can see the same thing in Craiglist ads - look for used high-end audio equipment in Las Vegas. There is hardly any, while in LAX or SFO you will find lots.

[MediocreButArrogant]

Originally Posted by las vegas drunk

I agree. I recently upgraded my computer, monitor and television. As far as a television, the new Sharp LED televisions cannot be beat as they are the only LED televisions that are not edge lit like the others (Samsung, LG, etc).

You're wrong. The 8500 series from Samsung is backlit LED. The 46" XBR from Sony is also backlit LED. I'm sure there are others, but those are the ones I know off the top of my head. I'm pretty sure there is a 47" Vizio and 55" Vizio which are also backlit LED.

[delgadobb]

Originally Posted by MadManofBethesda

Well, I hope that this doesn't come out wrong or make me appear snobbish, but price is really not an issue for me. Given the same product, I am much more interested in good customer service than getting the best price on a product, and am willing to pay extra for that customer service.

I'm also not much of a techie, so I do need help when I buy such items. For example, the last tv I bought was a 50" rear projection Mitsubishi about 10 years ago, and my current desktop computer is a Gateway running XP from around 2003, both of which are being thrown away rather than moved across the country. (Before you start laughing, I do have a one-year old Sony Vaio laptop.)

No problem at all, as long as you're up front about your priorities. I have a love/hate relationship with Fry's, love their deals & hate their service. With them, I have an understanding - know I'm getting great deals on commoditized items (computer parts), so I just accept that service is not part of the equation. They help me to build very inexpensive quality computers for friends & family as a hobby; I've donated a couple as well (animal shelters). Just built a computer for $200 that's probably as good as a lot of the stuff you see in Best Buy.

Beyond Fry's, I've found that service becomes more & more important over time. MMOB, be prepared as many places out here are lacking in customer service - I've been shocked at how many places are apathetic & indifferent, offering excuses & blame when they screw up. The casinos, on the other hand, GET IT - they live & die with their service & you can tell very quickly the people that understand it best. CostCo's probably my favorite store for the combination of value & customer service (helps that I've needed to buy stuff in bulk for my business). Despite being a big-box retailer, they've done an impressive job of putting the customer first. On the other hand, I've been in a Target store exactly twice in the last year - surprising since my mom works for Target corporate. Too many bad experiences, though some employees are good.

As MBA mentioned, you're not likely to find much in the mid-range audio/video segment here. Ultimate Electronics is closest, but they're only a step above Fry's/Costco/Sams - service outta be good there, tho. My house is already pre-wired everywhere & has a smart box but I'm still probably going to have to use custom installers when I'm ready (despite the infrastructure being in place). BTW, my guess is you're already doing this, but be sure to donate your stuff before you move so it doesn't wind up in a landfill. I sold my 60" RPTV (300 pounds!) cheaply since it wasn't worth moving, then bought my Samsung 61" LED DLP when I got here - wish I could've gotten two, it's been that good. The Sammy's only about 12-14" deep & less than 70 pounds, so easy to move. Love that TV - my girlfriend thought we were watching hi-def when we first got it & hadn't hooked up HDTV yet! Of course, once we starting watching hi-def she was even more floored. Helps that it only uses a trickle of electricity as well.

Good luck with everything - if I think of anything else will post here.