Reader gloat: major bargain scores

For your vicarious bargain hunting pleasure – two recent “gloats” from readers who scored some major deals!

For the past year, I have been planning on buying a new TV for my bedroom (the old one took 7 minutes to show a picture). I planned on getting a 32″ LCD 720p (my receiver is standard def anyway) and I was not going to spend more than $300.

I found a website called Liquidation.com that has auctions of various types of items. Some of the auctions are for multiple items. I began to track the auctions and see what what TVs were going for. I found an auction that had 4 Vizio TVs (32 inch, 26 inch, 22 inch, and 19 inch). I placed a bid of $480 and won. After sales tax and something called a buyers premium I spent $549 on the 4 TVs. I put the 32 inch TV in my room (looks and works great), and sold the other 3 TVs ($200 for the 26″ $150 for the 22″ $100 for 19″) for $475. So, for about $75, I got my 32″ TV.

The description of the TVs on the auction site said they had good screens and some mine frame damage. After getting them, I was unable to find any damage to any of the TVs (although the 22″ was missing the remote).

Sorry about rambling. Keep up the good work. I visit your site daily and love seeing what you find.

Then there’s the story about losing a cell phone:

Dear Bargain Babe, My husband just lost his iPhone on a ride at Disneyland. Any ideas on how to get a new one at a discount price?

I replied:

That’s awfully tough because they are so in demand. Definitely check eBay and if you can, wait until closer to the holidays. It’s likely there will be a new product – which means later models will probably see a price drop. Good luck!

She updated me:

We just got back from the AT&T store. A great thing we learned, if you already had an iPhone and lost it, they will give you the new 3G worth $500 for only $99! But you have to pay tax on $500. Still a HUGH savings, we were pleasantly surprised :O)

What’s the best deal you’ve scored? Send me your story.