The high street may be limping, but there’s still a solid case for buying your next TV from a physical shop. You get expert advice, you support a local business, and — crucially — you see the panel with your own eyes before parting with serious money. Nobody buys a car sight unseen, so why do it with a screen you’ll stare at for the next decade?
That said, the showroom floor is a minefield. Here are the five classic blunders to sidestep.
1. Assuming the picture looks the same at home. That jaw-dropping brightness under the shop’s spotlights? It’s theatre. In-store sets run a punchy demo mode that cranks brightness and colour volume — which is exactly why they loop endless nature footage rather than fast-paced sport, where that mode falls apart. Ask staff to switch to something realistic; Filmmaker mode is your friend for cinematic material. Sadly, you can’t ask them to dim the lights.
2. Not measuring up. The set looks made for your lounge — until it doesn’t fit. There’s a meaningful gap between, say, the 42-inch LG C6 and the 48-inch version, and a TV wedged at an angle into an alcove is a daily reminder of a rash decision. Look up the dimensions and measure the space before you leave home, and double-check you’re eyeing the right size model.
3. Trusting it’ll sound fine. Nearly every shop TV is muted — the only sane way to avoid a wall of competing demo soundtracks. A helpful salesperson might crank the volume, but that only proves how loud it goes, not how good it sounds amid the ambient din. The honest truth is you can’t judge TV audio properly until it’s in a quiet room with the curtains drawn. Leave some budget for a decent soundbar; even an affordable one will comfortably outclass most built-in speakers.
4. Taking it home yourself. The urge to drive off with your shiny new purchase is understandable, but a 65-inch panel isn’t fitting in a Kia Rio boot without drama. Even a van needs proper securing so the set doesn’t slide about on every corner and speed bump. Once you carry it out the door, any cracked screen is your problem. Let the shop deliver it — a few extra days beats a shattered panel.
5. Deciding on the spot. This is the big one. The pitch is smooth, there might be a cheeky discount for buying today, and before you know it you’ve committed to the wrong TV. Do the homework first: read reviews, measure the space, compare prices across retailers. Walk in armed with knowledge and the sales patter simply bounces off.
A new TV should serve you well for years. See it in the flesh, absolutely — just don’t let the showroom lights do your thinking for you. Happy viewing.
