The only site I'll ever need...

[Philberto]

My 2 cents are (and I worked at Best Buy so I must know...... well I was a stocker so really I knew little) that Samsung is the way to go when it comes to TVs and it doesn't even seem like it's close. If I were to venture away, I'd chose Sony (I have a 37" Rear projectiol LCD I bought for $450 a year ago).
When it comes to a big purchase like a TV, I've always felt it's not the best idea to fuck around with those cheap brands because even though I'm sure many of them are good, I don't trust them and I want a TV that I can depend on

[Internet Apex]

Every Samsung phone I've ever seen, had or heard about was a complete and total piece of shit. I had such a bad experience with one that I've decided to boycott ALL of their products for the rest of my life. Sony is dependable, reliable. If it doesn't work you can always hit him with it.

[5laky]

Every Samsung phone I've ever seen, had or heard about was a complete and total piece of shit. I had such a bad experience with one that I've decided to boycott ALL of their products for the rest of my life. Sony is dependable, reliable. If it doesn't work you can always hit him with it.

That's stupid. Except for the picture. I love that guy.

[RD]

My 2 cents are (and I worked at Best Buy so I must know...... well I was a stocker so really I knew little) that Samsung is the way to go when it comes to TVs and it doesn't even seem like it's close. If I were to venture away, I'd chose Sony (I have a 37" Rear projectiol LCD I bought for $450 a year ago).
When it comes to a big purchase like a TV, I've always felt it's not the best idea to fuck around with those cheap brands because even though I'm sure many of them are good, I don't trust them and I want a TV that I can depend on

I also worked at a Best Buy, only instead of stocking, I sold TVs.  So I think I know a thing or two.  Pioneer are the best, but pricey as all hell.  Then Hitachi and Sony are the next level, then Toshibas.  I always considered Samsung like a premium cheap brand, good but not great.  However, this mostly applies to CRTs.  When I went digital TV shopping, I ended up picking a Panasonic.  In the end, picture is really a personal choice.  Some people find that a perfectly tuned set looks awful to them.

[Internet Apex]

Every Samsung phone I've ever seen, had or heard about was a complete and total piece of shit. I had such a bad experience with one that I've decided to boycott ALL of their products for the rest of my life. Sony is dependable, reliable. If it doesn't work you can always hit him with it.

That's stupid. Except for the picture. I love that guy.

You mean Boris the sneaky fucking Russian?

[HST Redux]

My 2 cents are (and I worked at Best Buy so I must know...... well I was a stocker so really I knew little) that Samsung is the way to go when it comes to TVs and it doesn't even seem like it's close. If I were to venture away, I'd chose Sony (I have a 37" Rear projectiol LCD I bought for $450 a year ago).
When it comes to a big purchase like a TV, I've always felt it's not the best idea to fuck around with those cheap brands because even though I'm sure many of them are good, I don't trust them and I want a TV that I can depend on

I also worked at a Best Buy, only instead of stocking, I sold TVs.  So I think I know a thing or two.  Pioneer are the best, but pricey as all hell.  Then Hitachi and Sony are the next level, then Toshibas.  I always considered Samsung like a premium cheap brand, good but not great.  However, this mostly applies to CRTs.  When I went digital TV shopping, I ended up picking a Panasonic.  In the end, picture is really a personal choice.  Some people find that a perfectly tuned set looks awful to them.

I have a Panasonic Viera plasma too and am very happy so far. My only complaint would be it does suffer from glare, although it's in one of the brightest rooms in my house. How I have it set up for now is a factor too.

[Tank]

However, this mostly applies to CRTs.

No one cares about any of your stupid dinosaur TVs, old bones.

[Andre Dawson's Creek]

The Pioneer Elite series or the Kuro are the Yvonne Strahovski of TVs.  If you're gonna get a plasma, Panasonic makes the best ones.  Otherwise, Sony, Samsung, or LG make good LCDs. 


If you're looking for a bedroom set the cheapy brands for dirt cheap cold do.  Just google the brand/model to see problems/reviews.  Nothing wrong with a 42" for a $499.99 1080i GFM Plasma at  Meijer on Black Friday.

[Quality Start Machine]

Every Samsung phone I've ever seen, had or heard about was a complete and total piece of shit. I had such a bad experience with one that I've decided to boycott ALL of their products for the rest of my life. Sony is dependable, reliable. If it doesn't work you can always hit him with it.

Why are we posting pictures of Thrill's dad?

[Simmer]

Every Samsung phone I've ever seen, had or heard about was a complete and total piece of shit. I had such a bad experience with one that I've decided to boycott ALL of their products for the rest of my life. Sony is dependable, reliable. If it doesn't work you can always hit him with it.

Why are we posting pictures of Thrill's dad?

[RD]

I have a house buying question for anyone who is a real estate agent or plays one on TV.  Or has bought a house.  That's cool too.

I found a place in a neighbourhood that I like on a very large block, which is rare here.  The real estate agent told us the price is $365,000.  I was doing some hunting around and found a site that is like our equivalent to Craigslist and found the place listed "for sale by owner" on 19 October for $359,000, the difference presumably the agent's commission.   

What's the best way to approach this?  Call in regards to the FSBO ad?  Go through the real estate agent and at the time to negotiate an offer, spring the online ad on her?  And I was planning on offering a grand or two below the asking price, but should I still try and lowball the online price, particularly since it has been sitting there for over a month and how low is low enough?  I know things like this are market dependant, but sub-400,000 homes in Brisbane don't last long, particularly when they are on large lots.  The house is a bit further out in towards to rural part of the area, but still only 30 mins from the city centre.

If you can't tell, this is my first attempt at home ownership.

[Quality Start Machine]

I have a house buying question for anyone who is a real estate agent or plays one on TV.  Or has bought a house.  That's cool too.

I found a place in a neighbourhood that I like on a very large block, which is rare here.  The real estate agent told us the price is $365,000.  I was doing some hunting around and found a site that is like our equivalent to Craigslist and found the place listed "for sale by owner" on 19 October for $359,000, the difference presumably the agent's commission.   

What's the best way to approach this?  Call in regards to the FSBO ad?  Go through the real estate agent and at the time to negotiate an offer, spring the online ad on her?  And I was planning on offering a grand or two below the asking price, but should I still try and lowball the online price, particularly since it has been sitting there for over a month and how low is low enough?  I know things like this are market dependant, but sub-400,000 homes in Brisbane don't last long, particularly when they are on large lots.  The house is a bit further out in towards to rural part of the area, but still only 30 mins from the city centre.

If you can't tell, this is my first attempt at home ownership.

I'd say check out the FSBO house, you might like it better anyway. As a purchaser you're within your rights to get the best house for the best price by any legal means.

[RD]

I have a house buying question for anyone who is a real estate agent or plays one on TV.  Or has bought a house.  That's cool too.

I found a place in a neighbourhood that I like on a very large block, which is rare here.  The real estate agent told us the price is $365,000.  I was doing some hunting around and found a site that is like our equivalent to Craigslist and found the place listed "for sale by owner" on 19 October for $359,000, the difference presumably the agent's commission.   

What's the best way to approach this?  Call in regards to the FSBO ad?  Go through the real estate agent and at the time to negotiate an offer, spring the online ad on her?  And I was planning on offering a grand or two below the asking price, but should I still try and lowball the online price, particularly since it has been sitting there for over a month and how low is low enough?  I know things like this are market dependant, but sub-400,000 homes in Brisbane don't last long, particularly when they are on large lots.  The house is a bit further out in towards to rural part of the area, but still only 30 mins from the city centre.

If you can't tell, this is my first attempt at home ownership.

I'd say check out the FSBO house, you might like it better anyway. As a purchaser you're within your rights to get the best house for the best price by any legal means.

Sorry, quick clarification... It's the same house.  One price through an agent and the other via an online listing. 

[Quality Start Machine]

I have a house buying question for anyone who is a real estate agent or plays one on TV.  Or has bought a house.  That's cool too.

I found a place in a neighbourhood that I like on a very large block, which is rare here.  The real estate agent told us the price is $365,000.  I was doing some hunting around and found a site that is like our equivalent to Craigslist and found the place listed "for sale by owner" on 19 October for $359,000, the difference presumably the agent's commission.   

What's the best way to approach this?  Call in regards to the FSBO ad?  Go through the real estate agent and at the time to negotiate an offer, spring the online ad on her?  And I was planning on offering a grand or two below the asking price, but should I still try and lowball the online price, particularly since it has been sitting there for over a month and how low is low enough?  I know things like this are market dependant, but sub-400,000 homes in Brisbane don't last long, particularly when they are on large lots.  The house is a bit further out in towards to rural part of the area, but still only 30 mins from the city centre.

If you can't tell, this is my first attempt at home ownership.

I'd say check out the FSBO house, you might like it better anyway. As a purchaser you're within your rights to get the best house for the best price by any legal means.

Sorry, quick clarification... It's the same house.  One price through an agent and the other via an online listing. 

I'm guessing then that you can't go around the realtor, since they showed you the property. This is where realtors/lawyers will help.

[Oleg]

I have a house buying question for anyone who is a real estate agent or plays one on TV.  Or has bought a house.  That's cool too.

I found a place in a neighbourhood that I like on a very large block, which is rare here.  The real estate agent told us the price is $365,000.  I was doing some hunting around and found a site that is like our equivalent to Craigslist and found the place listed "for sale by owner" on 19 October for $359,000, the difference presumably the agent's commission.   

What's the best way to approach this?  Call in regards to the FSBO ad?  Go through the real estate agent and at the time to negotiate an offer, spring the online ad on her?  And I was planning on offering a grand or two below the asking price, but should I still try and lowball the online price, particularly since it has been sitting there for over a month and how low is low enough?  I know things like this are market dependant, but sub-400,000 homes in Brisbane don't last long, particularly when they are on large lots.  The house is a bit further out in towards to rural part of the area, but still only 30 mins from the city centre.

If you can't tell, this is my first attempt at home ownership.

I'd say check out the FSBO house, you might like it better anyway. As a purchaser you're within your rights to get the best house for the best price by any legal means.

Sorry, quick clarification... It's the same house.  One price through an agent and the other via an online listing. 

I'm guessing then that you can't go around the realtor, since they showed you the property. This is where realtors/lawyers will help.

That's probably true, you may not be able to go around the agent, however, I think that's the sellers' problem.  After all, they're the ones who went around the agent by placing the ad themselves.  I say, play dumb.  Call the sellers directly and use they're advertised price as the starting point in negotiations.  If the agent finds out, play dumb.  Once you negotiate your price, it's up to the sellers to work their payment/fee to the realtor.

But, talk to your own realtor/lawyer, as Fork suggested.

Good luck.