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Buying a new television set

(10 Posts)
Cumbrianmale56 Sun 06-Jul-25 17:58:43

The two delivery men came yesterday afternoon dead on time from the local electrical shop. Spent half an hour setting everything up, explained how the set worked, fitted a new adaptor for the DVD player, and took away the old set. Very helpful and miles better than the couldn't care less staff in Currys.
The set I bought is from a fairly new British company called Mitchell and Brown and comes with a 7 year warranty, which is the best in the industry. Picture and sound quality are excellent and the set looks ultra modern.

Doodledog Sat 05-Jul-25 19:03:51

Grandmabatty

I found installing my tv really straightforward. All the instructions were on the tv screen and it was easy. And I'm not technically minded!

Yes, it's much easier than it used to be. As Mt61 says, it can take a while to sign in to all the apps, but I tend to do that the first time I want to watch them, rather than all at once when the TV is set up.

Homestead62 Sat 05-Jul-25 19:00:37

Don't touch Currys, had an awful experience with them. Wo betide you if what you buy develops a problem and they do nothing but try to foist insurance (that you don't need) onto you, so they can get commission. Avoid.

Mt61 Sat 05-Jul-25 18:46:43

Most TVs are easy to set up. Is there no family member can pick it up & set it up for you? Also some of the Apps might need signing in.

Diffuser Sat 05-Jul-25 17:40:23

We try to buy locally when we can. We got a really good deal on an LG Oled because they were bringing out a newer version. Brought it home in the car and it was relatively easy to set up

Grandmabatty Sat 05-Jul-25 17:31:53

I found installing my tv really straightforward. All the instructions were on the tv screen and it was easy. And I'm not technically minded!

Cumbrianmale56 Sat 05-Jul-25 12:11:06

Installing a modern television can be quite time consuming and complicated, especially in my house where a DVD player, BT box and the internet are wired into the set, and they don't always work from the box like some of the old ones. Also I didn't want to risk getting the television damaged on the journey home.

Doodledog Sat 05-Jul-25 12:01:45

The size of the set shouldn't make a difference. I can understand a rule that spending over a certain amount qualifies for free installation, but not everyone wants an enormous TV.

We got one for a spare bedroom a while ago, and whilst installing the channels etc and setting up the connection was easy, putting together the stand was a two-person job and very tricky. Mr D had to drill a hole to put the screws in a different place from where they were meant to go, in order for it to work the way we wanted it. I couldn't have done it - in fact I doubt I would even have thought of the fix he came up with (he's an engineer).

I remember saying at the time that someone with no tools or technical knowledge (not to mention brute strength and someone to hold things in place) would have really struggled to put the thing together. I think we paid about £75 for the stand too, which is insane, but we needed to screen to be tilted and the one it came with made it sit upright.

I suspect that since the price of TVs has plummeted the retailers are charging for extras to make up the difference. How can it cost £60 to install a set? They are just plug and play these days. I know tips charge businesses for disposal, but I'm sure a company like Curry's could get some sort of bulk deal where someone could strip down items and reuse the components. They should probably be compelled to do so by law, come to think about it.

I think we got the bedroom TV from Curry's, as I had a £50 voucher that was about to expire, but ordinarily I would order online.

Whitewavemark2 Sat 05-Jul-25 11:46:21

I generally go for the bested service - unless the price difference is massive.

Cumbrianmale56 Sat 05-Jul-25 11:26:45

My 10 year old set gave up earlier this week and repairing it would cost too much, so I had the option of visiting Curry's or a family business in town. Not wanting the flashiest or most expensive set, I set my budget at £300-400 and preferably a Samsung like the old one.

Currys had a 40 inch Samsung in stock for £300 and I approached the salesman, as the website offered installation and delivery for £45 plus £10 to recycle your old set. However, I was told as the set was under 50 inches, I would have to set it up myself, take it home( I have a small car) and dispose of the old one myself. Obviously the salesman was misinformed or the website was incorrect, and finding his attitude off and unhelplful, I went to a local family business.
This is where I found a much nicer set for £379 and for all I have to pay £60 for delivery and installation and disposal, this is far less hassle for me and the saleswoman was far more helpful. Also the set, a company called Mitchell and Brown makes it, has a 7 year warranty and a really fine picture. I know you pay a bit extra, but I'd sooner deal with a trusted family firm than Currys now.