To buy monitor in person or online?

[CodeNameSly]

I'm looking to buy a 1920x1200 24" monitor. I play a lot of games, so the BenQ recommended in the LCD thread is really attractive. However, it looks like it's only available online. While I have no problems ordering most hardware online, the 8 dead pixel minimum from NewEgg makes me pretty unhappy - I don't want to shell out $350 for a monitor and then be stuck with up to 7 dead pixels.

Is there any way around this? Or do I have to settle for another brand? Where are good brick and mortar places to look? Best Buy only has three 1920x1200 monitors listed on their site. This is Seattle area if that helps at all.

 

[cmdrdredd]

I ordered from newegg the BenQ in my sig, no issues with it at all. Lucky maybe, but I think a lot of the stories about dead pixels on brand new monitors is blown out of proportion.

 

[Davegod]

hmm, do many stores over there let you open the box before you buy, or return it for x dead pixels?

 

[bryanW1995]

I guess I've always just been lucky, but I've bought 4 lcd's for my personal use and probably 20-25 at work. All were bought online, not a single one has had even one dead pixel. I did end up getting a single dead pixel one the first flat screen that I bought, but that was literally several years (and moves) later.

edit: Actually, the one that later developed the dead pixel was bought at best buy. Also, my current monitor is a 2209WA from dell instead of newegg.

 

[CodeNameSly]

Originally posted by: cmdrdredd
I ordered from newegg the BenQ in my sig, no issues with it at all. Lucky maybe, but I think a lot of the stories about dead pixels on brand new monitors is blown out of proportion.

Hopefully that's the case.

Originally posted by: Davegod
hmm, do many stores over there let you open the box before you buy, or return it for x dead pixels?

I bought a Samsung LCD from Best Buy awhile ago - decided I didn't like it for several reasons (including a dead pixel). I just brought it back to the store and they didn't really ask any questions at all. Maybe that's an anomaly?

Originally posted by: bryanW1995
I guess I've always just been lucky, but I've bought 4 lcd's for my personal use and probably 20-25 at work. All were bought online, not a single one has had even one dead pixel. I did end up getting a single dead pixel one the first flat screen that I bought, but that was literally several years (and moves) later.

edit: Actually, the one that later developed the dead pixel was bought at best buy. Also, my current monitor is a 2209WA from dell instead of newegg.

Yeah, I've only had trouble with the one I got at Best Buy, too (though I haven't bought a whole lot - just one other monitor and two laptops). Maybe online is the way to go, then? It would still really suck if I was the unlucky one, though, but it might be worth the risk. Thanks all!

 

[GundamSonicZeroX]

I purchased a ViewSonic monitor from newegg about a year ago. It was priced better than any of the similar monitors that I found at my local Circuit City and Best Buy and had no dead pixels.

 

[s44]

NCIXUS usually lets you add a no-dead-pixel guarantee, but at the moment that seems down for that monitor. They do have a ridiculously low price this weekend on it, though -- forget the Egg on this.

 

[rick475]

There's no way i'm buying a monitor online. Usually online monitors cost more ; depending on where you buy it you'll have to spend 25 to 75$ more. If you have a problem with it you have big shipping fees. I bought my monitor from Futureshop and if there's something wrong with it, I exchange it the next day without any fees.

 

[CodeNameSly]

Originally posted by: s44
NCIXUS usually lets you add a no-dead-pixel guarantee, but at the moment that seems down for that monitor. They do have a ridiculously low price this weekend on it, though -- forget the Egg on this.

Wow. That is an amazing deal, even with the fairly pricey shipping. No dead pixel policy seems to be available, though. I'll call them about it when I get back from work.

 

[Leyawiin]

Its not one of these?

http://shop.benq.us/benq-us/se...pt_id=17&culture=en-US

I hear BenQ US is pretty good about taking care of problems and returns (from what I've gathered from people buying on HardOCP's forums). Personally, I go brick and mortar for LCDs. I had a bad run of luck last fall with a purchase (four in a row had dead/stuck pixels out of the box or other serious issues). All those returns to Amazon.com and Newegg (yes, I yelled and they took it back) was a p.i.t.a.. Finally bought my HP from Office Depot.

 

[squirrel9]

I just bought an HP LP2475w and a Dell 2408WFP online -- HP from Amazon, Dell from Dell -- and neither had any problems at all. My first online LCD purchases, but they were both just completely fine, no problems at all....