Going HD

So May 19th, I finally decided to take the plunge and buy that HDTV I’ve been wanting and fawning over for 4 years. After years of research and bickering with myself over the pros and cons of Plasma vs LCD, I decided that I’d get the Plasma. While the LCD is maybe technically better nowdays, I’ve been wanting the Plasma for so long. I placed the order not only for the TV, but also for the HD Tivo that is needed to record those types of channels. This is going to be a huge upgrade over what I had before, because not only will I get all the digital channels and HD channels, I’ll be able to record two shows at the same time! That Monday was a good day.

That’s when things slowly deteriorated to a grinding halt that I’ve still not seen the light at the end of the tunnel. Problem Numero Uno: The TV. I didn’t get any information on a tracking number by Wednesday 48 hours after my initial order. So I gave them a call. They said it was because I didn’t provide a valid telephone number. Odd. Why didn’t they email me asking for this? Usually they don’t need it to deliver a package. However it was due to them using an off-brand delivery company that needs to verify that I’ll be at home when they deliver the package. So I give them the number. A day later, another email from them saying that my Credit Card had been rejected. So I call the credit card company and have them remove the lock they put on it for suspected activity. Friday, they finally process the order, but the carrier can’t pick it up till next Tuesday! Over a week later my TV is finally “in the mail” on the way to the house, with an expected delivery of a little over two weeks after my order date.

Issue Number Two: The Tivo. I placed my order through VANNS. I had ordered from them before and they seemed to be pretty good. When I placed my order the Tivo was on backorder. Oh well, I figured that it wouldn’t take to long to get *new* ones in. And it didn’t. A few days later, I got an email saying my Tivo was on its way. Yay. This is going smoothly, I think to myself as I’m trying to work out the issues with the TV. That smoothness ended yesterday when my Tivo arrived. I open the box to find out that it’s an “Open Box” item. I paid for a “Brand New Sealed” item. All the bags are open, the batteries already in the remote. At this point, I’m pissed and depressed that nothing has gone right. I’m considering turning it on and seeing if it works alright and calling and complaining hoping they give me a gift card. Or if it doesn’t work, buy one at Best Buy and returning it with the “open box” version and still complaining to VANNS.

The ONLY thing that has gone right so far has been the HDMI cables, which I can’t really test out and make sure they are working until I hook up the TV and the new TIVO. Regardless, they all came in quickly from monoprices.com. That site really is a saving grace in the cable industry and I will definitely be using them again in the future.

At any point, going HD has been a huge hassle. And while I knew it would be to my pocketbook, I didn’t think there would be this many hurdles to get over. HOPEFULLY the TV will arrive in one peace, and in a new box. If not, I may cry.