So every TV manufacturer and their dog released some kind of special bonus offer with a TV purchase in the lead up to Christmas. But what’s truly amazing is that both Sony and Panasonic have had to adjust their bonus offer due to the huge response.
Sony, who were offering 25,000 bonus PS3s, had to add an extra 10,000 due to high demand. But even that wasn’t enough – they’re now offering a BDPS360 Blu-ray player and three music Blu-ray discs for TV purchases up to December 31.
Panasonic, on the other hand, were offering 12,000 Blu-ray home theatre kits, 12,000 DVD recorders and 12,000 Tough Lumix cameras. The response was so large for the Blu-ray and DVD bonuses they had to add an extra 4,000 of each, which have since been snapped up. Consequently, they’re now offering your choice of either a tough Lumix camera or a Wii pack, which includes a Wii Console with Wii Sports, Mario Kart Wii (with the wheel controller) and a copy of the Avatar Wii game.
Now, if I try and remember some of my 4-unit maths from high school, that means that between just Panasonic and Sony, Australians have purchased over 68,000 new televisions in the past couple of months. Add in the fact that Samsung, LG, and Sharp all have similar offers running at the moment, and even if they only sold half the amount of Sony or Panasonic each, that’s still well over 100,000 new TVs being set up in Aussie homes.
If you bought a new TV recently, which did you go for? Did the bonus offer sway your purchasing decision?
stopthatcrazygoat
December 1, 2009 at 12:51 PM
Hell yes it helped sway my decision to purchase. After months and months of floating through catalogs and trying to justify blowing some of my hard earned cash, the Sony KDL46Z5500 was my pick and the PS3 was a welcome bonus. My investment has paid off with many happy hours of doing sweet FA.
Report PermalinkShane
December 1, 2009 at 12:56 PM
Picked up a 50inch Panasonic S series with the bonus bluray system for $1900 with 5 year warranty. Unbelievably good value. Brilliant TV. Definitely didn’t plan on buying anything that big but just couldn’t walk past it. Certainly no buyers remorse here.
Report PermalinkGreg
December 1, 2009 at 1:14 PM
Got a 50″ Panasonic G10 with bonus Twin HD recorder with 5 year warranty for $2200. Hoping to sell the recorder the moment it arrives on my doorstep. Bonus didn’t help me decide which brand, just when to buy.
Report PermalinkClayton Wood
December 1, 2009 at 1:18 PM
Panasonic 50″ G10 with a free wii, and no way did it help me decide, I want 1080 witha great picture, but it’s a nice bonus…
Report PermalinkWigman
December 1, 2009 at 2:47 PM
Yep, same as stopthatcrazygoat: Sony KDL46Z5500 with PS3 Slim. We just moved into a bigger house and needed a second tele, anyway. But the PS3 offer + the free 3yr extended warranty on the tele really proved to be the tipping point.
I also took up the same Sony offer back in Jan 2008 when I bought a 40″ XBR. So now I have the 46″ TV + PS3 slim in the lounge and a 40″ TV + PS3 tubby in the bedroom. The missus is soooo happy about it too… did you detect the sarcasm there?
Report PermalinkJeff
December 1, 2009 at 2:52 PM
I only bought a LCD TV 2 years ago and am know contemplating buying a new Sony LCD TV for the PS3.
Report PermalinkPeterE
December 1, 2009 at 7:31 PM
Too late for the PS3 buddy. Bonus is a blu-ray player sans console now.
Report PermalinkTim Foote
December 1, 2009 at 3:37 PM
I recently got a Panasonic 42″ full HD plasma and opted for the blu-ray home theatre :) The blu-ray was shipped last week so I should have it by next week I hope.
I also bought a new Samsung fridge and am getting a free 22″ Samsung LCD TV :D
Horray for bonuses!
Report PermalinkTim Foote
December 1, 2009 at 3:39 PM
I forgot to mention I ended up getting the TV for $1,502, down from the $2,199 RRP. I’d like to see anyone beat that price!!
Report Permalinktom
December 1, 2009 at 10:52 PM
@ Tim, I am fairly sure my work has them at $1498, but it sure is an awesome price.
Report PermalinkMike Anthony
December 1, 2009 at 4:05 PM
I got a 50″ Panasonic G10 as well, I didn’t even know about the bonus offer until a day after I’d made the purchase. SCORE! lol
Report PermalinkKieren
December 1, 2009 at 5:05 PM
Samsung 46″ LED LCD Series 6. Also got the bonus 26″ series 6 LCD… Woot!
Report PermalinkWith a 5 year extended warrenty, it totaled $3309.
Angus Keenan
December 1, 2009 at 5:21 PM
A friend of mines’ parents finally took the plunge and bought a new Sony LCD (Don’t know the model) and they got the PS3 with it.
They didn’t want it and he already had one so now I have a shiny new PS3 on the cheap.
I’m a happy camper :)
Report PermalinkNathan Greenway
December 1, 2009 at 5:47 PM
I got a Panasonic 50″ V10, and LOVING IT!!! I got the Panasonic Blu-ray surround sound system as a bonus. Looking to get the new TIVO 320 and my Media Experience will be complete.
Report PermalinkPeterE
December 1, 2009 at 7:30 PM
Bought an eco friendly Sony KDL46WE5 for $1821 and scored a free PS3 as well!
Report PermalinkStephen Gore
December 2, 2009 at 8:47 AM
Another happy KDL46Z500 + PS3 fan here. Yes the PS3 definitely helped.
Report PermalinkKalarr
December 2, 2009 at 12:17 PM
I wanted a 50″ Panasonic S-series, but early November they were already on backorder, so I got a 50″ G-series instead at less than $1,900 plus the BluRay system, which had good reviews as well. The offer sure helped me decide to buy NOW rather than after new year.
Report PermalinkKit Grose
December 22, 2009 at 7:40 PM
I bought the Sony KDL-46WE5 intending to get the PS3 but was interstate when the unit came in.
By the time I redeemed the offer, the PS3 deal had run out and I had to do the Blu-Ray player one instead.
Now I have to decide whether I ought to open the BR player or sell it boxed and make up the difference on a PS3. Anyone looking for a BR player and 3 terrible, terrible Blu-Rays?
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