Samsung 1080p WiFi 240Hz Smart LED LCD HDTV w/ 4 Pairs of 3D Glasses + $600 Visa Gift Card: 60" Samsung UN60ES8000 + $600 GC $2998, or 55" Samsung UN55ES8000 + $600 GC $2500 + Free

Quote from poquito : Nobody knows what sales will come this holiday season, but I can say for sure that there were many great tv and computer deals in Sept/Oct every year I've been on Slickdeals. Many of those deals were the BEST prices all season. If you're in the market for this tv, then its a good deal. I'd really consider this TV except the amount of bad reviews is staggering for a Samsung.

I went through this last year. The Black Friday and sales following it until end of the year were only on really stinky TV makers like Vizio or the lower end of Samsung/LG/Sharp.

The good and sometimes very good deals on top of the line TVs didn't happen until late Feb and early March. By then, the 2012 models were being debuted.

Quote from AGpennypacker : do you need the tv now? can you wait? i would bet lots of money that it wont be less than this on black friday so if you need it, i would get it. BUT the real deals on this set usually start in 2013. if you want to buy it close to it's lowest price then wait. if you want a good deal on the tv and cant wait, get it now. remember kids, if you're trying to buy a top model large screen tv and think you'll get the best price on bf, you're gonna have a bad time.

This is true. They not gonna discount this set on BF. It will happen but not until the Spring? How much lower though?

Quote from rob4448585 : If anyone has specific questions or wants pics let me know.

Move from side to side looking at your HDTV screen. Does it get whiter?

I got the UN55D8000 (2011 model) in April of 2012 for $1650 shipped from Beach Camera. That deal sold out pretty quickly and I haven't seen too many other deals like it. I'd imagine that to be a pretty good guess on the price of this TV compared to buying it now.

NOOB Question for TV models:

What does the "F" stand for in the UN46ES8000F? I was surfing around for different prices and I saw this but never found a concrete answer. Thanks!

Quote from jgbstetson : I just picked up a 60" GT50 for ~1700. Really nice design. Color reproduction is excellent. I agree that plasma is not dead tech. In fact you could argue that it is the gold standard (but please, don't start arguing).

I myself am looking for a 60-64" plasma. I considered the Samsung PN64ES8000 and Panasonic GT50 because of Wifi, not because of 3D. The Samsung loses because of the remote and terrible sound interface. The Pany has a terrible browser. Both could have a hit-and-miss buzzing problem that is impossible to put up with. So, I am not sure that I would want to switch to the inferior LED technology like the ES8000.
I do not want yo hijack the thread, but do you share those Amazon's users comments above on plasma by the top end HDTV manufacturers?

Quote from bigballs : This is true. They not gonna discount this set on BF. It will happen but not until the Spring? How much lower though?

the new model of tvs are ususally released anywhere from feb-july, so expect the lowest prices on the previous years models just before and during that time.

according to this [urlhasbeenblocked], the similar model hit it's low on amazon on dec, as did the 55". But my tv [urlhasbeenblocked] hit it's low in april. of course amazon isn't the prefect price indicator, but it's a quick and dirty way to look at it.

sorry my links dont work. the are from camel, whcih tracks the amazon prices and displays them on a graph.

Quote from bimmer007 : Actually...you don't want last year's model. I have the UN55D8000 and have had the panel replaced twice because of excessive light leakage from the bottom bezel. I was in Best Buy and noticed that the 2012 lineup doesn't do this and have now gotten Samsung to exchange me out for a 55ES8000.

How did you get Samsung to replace it?

I just returned the ES6100 series because the screen had lots of clouding and flash lighting. It seems to be a normal issue over on AVS so make sure you go view this TV before buying it.

Quote from sundown : Move from side to side looking at your HDTV screen. Does it get whiter?

It does not get 'whiter' I have a 15 foot swing I can go either way, and there is no 'whiteness" that is obvious.

Bottom line - This deal ... (sigh its long ended) has to be the best one ...

Quote from rob4448585 : It does not get 'whiter' I have a 15 foot swing I can go either way, and there is no 'whiteness" that is obvious.

On mine when you look at a face from different angles; "The Flesh" Tone gets lighter. I think it has to do with viewing angles. Thanks.