HDTV prices rose last month?
By Richard Lawler 
posted Mar 6th 2009 11:16AM
posted Mar 6th 2009 11:16AM
posted Mar 6th 2009 11:16AM
The percentage of electronics at the end of their lives which were recycled.
The EPA found that the percentage remained consistent from 1999-2005. Even as recycling rates went up, the amount of electronics reaching end of life outpaced the increase, leaving the figure static. (source: EPA, July 2008)
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Uptick probably reflects seasonality. You can see a similar upward trend in April-June 2008 from that graph.
I'd expect it to level off for a while as we see more smaller HDTVs out there to accompany the DTV transition. Set makers finally realized people were choosing between static and a set top box instead for that pricey HDTV. A year ago 720p and sets
This certainly isn't indicative of a general trend, but I was watching the Pioneer Kuro 5020FD and it has DEFINITELY been going up. I saw go from $2550 down to $1894 on Amazon not too long ago, and it's now up to $2469. I know the Kuro is a special case because Pioneer won't be making any more of them and suppliers know that people who understand what they're buying will be willing to pay more in order to avoid never getting one. I finally found one elsewhere from an authorized dealer for $2075 two days ago. I'd have been pissed if I had to pay an extra $600 over the price it had 6 weeks ago just because I hemmed and hawed for a bit, but I can handle an extra $181.
I am in the same boat. I had been watching 5020 prices and the lowest I had seen them go was around $1900. Now they went back up to $2200 - 2400 and they are running out of stock because of Pioneer's terrible decision to end the Kuro line.
Does anyone even know if the 10th gens are still coming out this year or has that been scrapped as well?
Search eBay for Pioneer 5020FD. There's a seller called Beyond Plasma which is listed on Pioneer's site as an authorized dealer still selling new units for $2075; other auctions include a wall mount and 5-year extended warranties. I had to call them after I ordered mine (accidentally gave them my work shipping address!) and they're great even on the phone. Not quite $1900, but it's better than the new $2899 price on Amazon!
Circuit city jacked up most of its prices prior to starting the liquidation markdowns. TV prices jumped 20-30% and then got a 10% discount on the new price.
That's what I was thinking...
Yes, if anything CC is what made the chart switch directions.
I've seen this happen first hand. The TV I bought originally for $698, went up in price the next week to $798 and is currently "on sale" at the same store for $898. It goes to show that stores were trying to get people in hoping they'd buy accessories and warranties and make it worthwhile. They probably didn't so the stores raised prices and everyone else has followed suit.
You'd think that with the 2009 LCDs and Plasmas making their way that prices would go down, but it may just be a ploy to get people to buy the newer models for the higher prices since $300 gets you a bunch of extra features and Energy Star 3.0 compliance.
Chance Stevens
Editor, http://www.tvlampsnbulbs.com
I bought a toshiba 42" 1080p in may or june of 08 for $899 from amazon, yesterday it was listed at $1499
I think it is the lack of competition from Circuit City. Best Buy now has no big box competitors where I live. I haven't been tracking TV prices, but I know that they've increased their prices on new releases of DVDs because of Circuit City's demise.
The Japanese Yen has been rising on the dollar for at least 2 quarters now - this effects the selling price of any Japanese import products in the US. I know it had bad effects my employer's operating profits in 4Q08.
I work Canadian retail AV. About three weeks ago we saw an increase in Toshiba LCDs by $100-150. A week ago an increase by Samsung. Panasonic is now on clearance and in a strange twist Sony package pricing is now better than Samsung's. It is true that clearance season usually begins early-mid March as new models are shipped in April for May. Except Sony which is usually shipped in June for July. However, there is actual market forces at hand beyond what has generally been listed here as gouging.
As 4lton mentioned the Japanese yen continues to rise and for us Canadians the Looney is falling. Second as many of you have probably read there was a shortage of LCD panels with renewed manufacturing in February. And all major manufacturers have announced reduced panel quantities in 2009 due to the expected lull in sales and LG announced that panel costs had hit its bottom in 2008. We are also seeing "green" technologies which may add increased cost to newer manufacturing processes. All of which makes panels more expensive.
2009 is truly going to be a difficult year. 2008 had a rough start because we did have parity to the USD which made it difficult to clear out 2007 models because the new models were more affordable than the displays. However, my employer's average TV retail price has less than 12 points of margin. I can't tell you how many sales were made cabat a loss relying on attachment sales to make the difference. I fully expect that consumers should seek the best price (I do), but this race to the bottom is ultimately going to destroy the market. And I haven't seen anything to replace it. So unless consumers are once again willing to pay a "premium" on consumer electronics to allow retailers (brick or ether) to continue to operate we will be seeing more cases like CC in the near future recession or otherwise.