TV prices to skyrocket

According to news in the Sydney Morning Herald, TV prices are set to increase by as much as 30% in the new year.

According to news in the Sydney Morning Herald, TV prices are set to increase by as much as 30% in the new year.

Currently consumers are enjoying reasonable prices and great bonuses (such as free Blu-Rays, game consoles or laptops) when they purchase an HDTV howvever don’t expect these prices or bonuses to continue. TV manufacturers have tipped huge increases in the new year – thanks to the plummeting exchange rate and import costs.

David Ackery, general manager of electrical at Harvey Norman, suggested consumers snap up the bargains now as by February current stock will be exhausted and new stock will have been bought at inflated rates thanks to the falling Aussie dollar…

“Flat panel numbers are actually holding up – the only issue we’ve got with flat panel is the continued degradation in price,” Ackery said.

“That’s going to change somewhat early in the new year because Sharp yesterday flagged a 10 per cent price increase, Sony have flagged price increases of up to 30 per cent and Panasonic and Samsung also have suggested that they can’t hold their current pricing.”

Up until Christmas Eve, Samsung is offering a free BD-P1500 Blu-ray player valued at $499 to anyone who buys one of its full HD plasma or LCD TVs. Panasonic is hoping consumers will be swayed to their brand with the inclusion of a free Nintendo Wii valued at $399.95 to buyers of its VIERA full HD plasmas. While Toshiba is offering a $799 netbook computer with its 37-inch, 42-inch and 46-inch LCD TVs – with the offer running until the middle of January.

But LG has won this hand, offering a bonus 26-inch LCD TV valued at $949 to anyone who buys selected models in its LCD and plasma TV range.

Source: SMH