Dead Flatscreens (value?)
 

As some of you may/may not know, I'm out in sunny AZ right now putting my shoulder to the wheel, trying to sell my house out here. It was purchased stritcly for investment, so there never was any "real" furniture. Well, I've decided to "stage" the house with a few chosen items (sofa, art, end tables, etc.)

It dawned upon me that although I'd consider a huge roundie Zenith Space Commander 600, in a danish modern cabinet, to be the shizzle.... :D ; most of the public does not.

There is a guy out here selling flatscreens from his garage, on the internet. I'm not joking, lol. I already e-mailed him and asked if he has any broken sets to sell. He replied that he sends any broken stuff back to the manufacturer, so dead end.

Just wondering if any of you techs could give me an idea where I might find a broken plasma/LCD, and if so, what's it worth? I'd care less if it even has any guts, in fact I'd rather it didn't, just to cut the weight.... I guess I'd even consider a cracked screeen, and just glue a poster over it.

Besides adding a little appeal to my house, I'd also enjoy ruining a modern set just like the fishtank people do with our classics. :D

Next post... Craigslist Wanted section...

Probably a good chance at getting one from a TV shop. Especially one of the early Philips plasma sets. Even 5 years ago, I was helping to throw those in the dumpster when they got spots on the display.

Charles

Broken flat screen TVs DO have value (way too much in my opinion). Even ones with bad screen burn seem to go for as much as 50% of their new cost. I've been trying to get my hands on some dead plasmas to play with for a couple of years, but they don't seem to be available for less than a small fortune. I bought one on ebay, but it was smashed by UPS.

If you don't believe me, check out these completed ebay listings.

http://cgi.ebay.com/NIB-NEC-61-Plasm...QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.com/Broken-Philips-4...QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.com/SONY-PFM-42B1-42...QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.com/PIONEER-PDP-4300...QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.com/VIZIO-P4-46-PLAS...QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.com/VIZIO-P42-42-PLA...QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.com/ZENITH-42-PLASMA...QQcmdZViewItem

Charles, feel free to send me all those plasmas you're throwing in the dumpster!

That 20" Techview LCD that I found in the alley a while back I sold for $80, I could never get it to power up, only a little "thump" form the speakers.

I'll put the word out! I know where there's a Dell LCD TV, maybe about 34". It has a power supply problem on a multi-layer board, and Dell quoted $3500 for a new board. The TV was only $3400 according to the customer, and it is still sitting on the back shelf last time I saw it. But I bet the shipping cost would be a choker.

Charles

Let me know what you find. I am seriously interested in anything that can be shipped, or is close enough for me to pick up.

Ok, where might I get one of those "prop" TVs? anybody have a guess? I've never seen one anywhere but perhaps a furniture store.

When I was out "house hunting" several years ago I preferred if the place was empty to view it. There were some where there was all kinds of stuff still in them but I liked to think about where I would put MY stuff when I moved in. I wouldn't think you would have to set dress a house for a sale by putting "props" in it.

I've seen those "prop" tvs at Ikea, Bob's furniture, Jordan's Furniture, ect.

Maybe they'd sell you one?

Also, ever consider getting a large print made up at a Kinko's or something, maybe a photo of a family from the 60's or 50's sitting around the telly? You could print it up, about the size of a plasma, frame it cheap from one of those poster-framing places, and give that a shot. I know, pretty low budget, but if in a pinch...

http://sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bild:Fa..._the_1950s.jpg

http://www.bized.ac.uk/current/argument/arg16-1.htm

Actually, that's pretty damn good idea.... Although I'm thinking I might print something like "free 45-inch flatscreen with purchase" Lots of first-time buyers don't have the credit for a TV, but if you roll it into the price of the house... Shoot, I'd eat $1500 on this! A wide-ish silver frame should do the trick!

BTW, although your location says Boston, I've watched enough Coronation Street to guess you're from England?

Chad,

Don't take this the wrong way, but you drive a '78 Mercury Grand Marquis :thmbsp: (Remember, I'm using a '73 Imperial as my only car out here) So you and I are hardly typical consumers, lol.

I'd rather look at an empty house too, but to most people nowadays, you have to sell the whole lifestyle thing. I will admit the place looks a lot nicer with a few plants, pictures and tables here/there.

The broken plasma helps sell the modern-look, and hopefully makes the room feel bigger. This weekend will tell I guess.