BB Pio 5051/4351 - ACE and Price Matching

[harrybauls]

2 Quick questions on the Best Buy Pio 5051/4351:

1. Anyone have any luck getting them to price match with common internet or authorized internet pricing (which is $1,500 or so less after tax)?

2. The Best Buy site states the 5051/4351 uses ACE II versus the standard 50 series' ACE III. Anyone confirm if this is a website typo or is this unit another Costco-like hybrid model?

Thanks.

p.s. 99% chance I will buy from a forum sponsor, but need to check out my options (the BB version comes with a free wall mount and is easier to return).

[iqwertyi]

1. I've never had luck pricematching with internet, even with small items.

2. I believe BB models are similar to Costco models. For instance, their Mitsubishi RPTV's are specifically BB models. You probably already noticed that there is no 5051 or 4351 in the Pioneer site.

[RU Geekman]

The 5051 and 5050 are functionally the same model and both have ACE III technology. I know this, for a fact, because I am a Pioneer dealer. The 5051 is a special model designation created just for Best Buy. Here's how it works: Best Buy draws in potential customers by advertising that they will price-match other authorized dealers. But because this model number is unique to them, no one else has it. So they don't have to price-match! Pretty neat Catch-22, huh?

[wabkab]

Good for them(BB), I got my 4312 @ Costco(admittedly different and maybe inferior, but I'm happy). Didn't need to price match there. I know, I digress, it's not about the 4312.


Best Buy draws in potential customers by advertising that they will price-match other authorized dealers. But because this model number is unique to them, no one else has it. So they don't have to price-match! Pretty neat Catch-22, huh?

[westa6969]

We had another thread on this subject a few weeks ago and we were able to verify that the Best Buy Website is in error since they do not build plasma's they sell boxes and build nothing. Always remember they move boxes only and take money which means the manufacturer's spec's will always be the correct one not the typo of the Distributor/Vendor.

Yes, these models have the ACE III.

People that bought the 5051 confirmed it when they opened their manual and it is a 5050 manual. The Costco folks found the same thing when they bought custom numbered Pio units back in Dec and Jan on a different model.

I must say I got a quote from an authorized dealer this week on a 5050 with shipping included that was very good and nearly $2K lower than BB. Won't list prices due to rules but they are called Monitoroutlet and one of a handful of authorized dealers. Perhaps they and TVAuthority can price match with you for on-line purchase and save tax and significant discounts over B&M. Good Luck!