Hi MeanGene,

Last I looked the III was to come out Fall of 03, BUT, there was the usual speculation and flack on the forums that Sony was notorious for giving a launch and not sticking to it. (don't they all do it more often than not). Those watching for it extrapolated that this unit might not actually hit the floors for purchase till Feb 04. But it will launch 1K less respectively for the 50” 60” than this year’s model. Gives you time to ‘save up’. The 50” always have to be ordered, - never in-store stock normally. And the 60” are still often in a 1 to 2 week awaiting next batch from main warehouses to ship in to local retailers. Or at least that was the situation recently. So I don’t know if it would help bargain wise to try and wait for 2’s going on sale when 3 launches. I would think this would be hit or miss around the country.

As regards the shielding. I had to ask Gonk when I switched to my floorstanders about this, and we were wondering out loud. I believe I finally confirmed that the LCD does not have the shielding problems of a CRT. If they have any shielding at all I’m sure they will be fine. But I will double-check this.

If you get serious about purchase let me know I will help you with some quick deep searching. I was an idiot and Pd full retail at a boutique full service home audio store on my first GWI. But I also had a big push going to have it delivered ON my husbands BD. And no one else could guarantee that day. Then I learned you can wheel and deal. (I always thought the price - was the price at B&M on electronics). For the 2nd GW I’ve paid less and for the 3rd even less (than going market) with some footwork. It was not a repeat customer discount. I purchased all 3 from different vendors.
See if you follow this: The last one. UE had it for retail 60” 4.999.99. Currently on sale store promo: for 4,499.00, but I still was not happy with that figure. I had them down another 150 but only if I purchased the 5-yr add-on warranty for 599. At same time. I meantime found two receipts posted on web by GW buyers, for CC one in CO, one up north. For the 60” at 3,999.00. (I’m in Dallas Ft Worth area). Went to Circuit and showed the CC receipts for 3,999.00 they price matched with an additional 10%. Guarantee a purchase on the 60” at 3,899.99 for a sole purchase without buying any other item on same ticket. . Mom wanted the warranty she was scared of repair bills a couple years out with new tech. So I got her that for 519.99 plus she needed the Sony Stand for 699.00. He said NO at first but I got him down a 100 on the stand. So: 519.99 for 5-yr. warranty. + 499.99 for stand. + 3899.99 for the 60”. Total w tax: 5325.88 Delivery at 1penny. When I did that deal, it was one of the lowest prices anyone acquired at that time around the states., (re the forum information). And I bet it’s gone even lower.

So at UE, I would have Pd 5300 for display and warranty. At Circuit City, I could have bought just the Display for 3899 + tax. But ended up for about the same 5300 with stand, warranty, and TV. (Basically getting the stand thrown in for free for the same amount UE would have charged.

So, these deals can be done VERY shortly after each new year’s model launches. SO when the 60” III launches at 3999.00 and the 50” at 2999.00 next year. You should be able to do better than that fairly quickly. If I don’t have my 1K’s mixed up at the moment. I believe that’s upcoming suggested retail. (I mix them up since the 60” II was not that long ago sugg. Retail of 5999.) And when I first started 1 ½ ago the 60 had just dropped from 8K to 6K. (They keep coming down….isnt it GREAT).

Let me know if you do go to purchase. I’ll dig what resources I can for you.

Sorry did not edit again today. Have a son running 104 temp!.


[This message has been edited by Smart Little Lena (edited April 05, 2003).]