If you've been eyeing a new television, the sticker shock you remember from a few years ago may have quietly vanished.
Big-box retailers and online sellers have been slashing prices on 55-, 65-, and even 75-inch sets, with some mid-range models now dipping below what a decent 43-inch cost back in 2019.
The reason is simple: panel manufacturing capacity caught up with demand, and warehouses are stuffed with inventory they need to move.
But here's the catch that rarely makes it into the flashy sale banner.
The price tag you see is almost never the price you pay.
Once you add a required streaming device, a wall mount, cables, an extended protection plan, and the delivery or setup charge for anything over 50 inches, that "deal" can balloon by $150 to $300 before the first episode plays.
The biggest offender is often the setup and haul-away fee.
Many retailers now charge separately to deliver a large TV, unbox it, and take the old one off your hands.
If you skip the professional install and try to mount a 65-inch screen yourself, you're risking a cracked panel that no standard warranty will cover.
Ask specifically whether the advertised price includes delivery, and whether the old set removal costs extra.
Then there's the extended warranty pitch at checkout.
Consumer advocates have long argued these plans rarely pay off for TVs, since most panels that fail do so within the first year, which the manufacturer's warranty already covers.
If you do want protection, check whether your credit card already extends the warranty for free, a perk many shoppers forget they have.
Streaming hardware is another quiet add-on.
A "smart" TV from a lesser-known brand may run outdated software that stops getting app updates within two years, pushing you to buy a streaming stick anyway.
Spending a little more upfront on a set with a well-supported platform can save you that $30 to $50 later, plus the hassle.
The smartest move right now is to wait for a major sales weekend, compare the final checkout total rather than the headline price, and measure your wall and viewing distance before you fall for a giant screen.
A 65-inch set looks enormous in the store and merely large in a typical living room.
Buying the right size the first time beats paying a restocking fee to swap it.
Finally, watch for retailer return windows, which can be as short as 14 days on large electronics.
That's not much time to notice a dead pixel or a buzzing speaker.
Photograph the box and receipt, and test the set thoroughly on day one.
Our take: falling TV prices are genuinely good news, but the savings only stick if you treat the advertised number as a starting point, not the finish line.
Final Thoughts
Budget for the accessories and fees upfront, skip the warranty upsell unless you have a specific reason, and you'll walk away with the deal the sign promised.