Get It for Less: TVs

Editor’s Note: This piece is part of an ongoing series called “Get It for Less” that will appear every week on MainStreet, so check back for more shopping tips on your favorite products.

NEW YORK (MainStreet) — The Super Bowl is just a few days away, which means that many Americans are about to make a mad dash to snag up chicken wings and new televisions. The wings may be cheap enough, but a nice new screen to watch the game on can be pretty pricey. Fortunately, this is one of the better times of the year to look for a deal.

“Historically, televisions do go on sale right before the Super Bowl because stores know that people are looking to buy them,” says Jeanette Pavini, savings expert with Coupons.com. Retailers like Sears and Best Buy are already offering football-related promotions on their televisions.

Here are a few other tips you can use this week and throughout the rest of the year to cut down on the cost of a new TV:

Don’t Be Afraid of an Open Box

It might sound counterintuitive, but if you’re looking for a deal, a television in an open box can be your best buy.

“Floor models, returns or TVs with cosmetic damages are inspected, repaired, repackaged and sold at a deep discount,” Pavini says. The big caveat, of course, is to make sure that the store will provide you with a warranty and the option to exchange it if you’re dissatisfied with it for any reason.

All you have to do is walk into the store and ask an employee if there are any open models on the floor.

Know the Best Time to Shop

While there are plenty of sales in the week leading up to the Super Bowl, this isn’t the only or even the best time of year to shop for televisions.

As MainStreet has reported before, new television models tend to arrive in stores around March and April, which causes retailers to cut the price of older models to make room. So if you do decide to hold off on buying a television this week, you may be able to find a good deal in the next month or so.

For those shopping online, television prices can actually fluctuate slightly by the time of the week as well. One report found that TVs are cheapest on Mondays and the most expensive on Fridays – the difference in price is roughly $20.

Research the Store’s Price Adjustment Policy

Before you purchase a television, take the time to research the retailer’s price-match guarantee.

“A lot of these stores do a 30-day price match. That way, if you do buy a television and see it later for less, you can go ahead and bring the receipt in for a price adjustment,” Pavini says. Even if you feel like you’re getting a great deal now, you should still have the option to save a little extra money if retailers do start slashing prices again in March to make way for new models.

Consider Buying Generic

Generic television models tend to be significantly cheaper than brand names, and oftentimes the differences in quality between these models is negligible. When in doubt though, Pavini urges shoppers to review the warranty information.

“The bottom line comes down to the warranty,” she says. “If the generic brand is offering an excellent warranty that is just as good as the name brands, you’re protected.”

Shop Online

As with most products, there are plenty of great deals you can find for televisions online. Amazon frequently advertises steep daily discounts on televisions and other electronics, as do websites like Overstock.com, DealNews.com, Slickdeals.net and many others. Oftentimes, shipping will be included or you can find a coupon code on sites like Coupons.com, which will waive the shipping charge. If you can’t get free shipping though, you may be better off shopping in the store.

Seth Fiegerman is a staff reporter for MainStreet. You can reach him by e-mail at seth.fiegerman@thestreet.com or follow him on Twitter @sfiegerman.