Vizio LCD HDTVs Now In Wal-Mart Stores

If you've been hankering for a Vizio LCD HDTV but haven't wanted to kick in the $45 membership required by warehouse clubs, where the company's sets have traditionally been sold, take heart: thanks a deal worked out between Vizio and the country's largest retail, you can now buy one at your local Wal-Mart.

Don't expect to get one incredibly cheaper, though. Based on our comparison of the new Wal-Mart models and a similar series sold at Costco, Sam's Club and BJ's Warehouse, the difference is only a few dollars, although with the current price of gas, one of Wal-Mart's 3,300-plus stores may be a shorter drive.

Vizio HDTVs--including 50- and 60-inch plasmas as well as its LCD sets--have been available at the chain for some time via Wal-Mart's walmart.com website, with pickup at a local store. This deal, however, marks the first time company's HDTVs will be merchandised and sold at brick-and-mortar Wal-Mart stores.

For the launch, Vizio created a new “VW” line, which features an all-black design and screen sizes ranging from 26 to 42 inches. There are four TVs in the new VW series: a 26-inch model for $448, a 32-inch set for $597, a 37-incher (seen above) priced at $796, and $946 42-inch set. Features are similar to, but not exactly the same as, those included on the VX-series models sold in warehouse clubs. Both, for example, have two HDMI and two component-video inputs, identical claimed brightness ratings and contrast ratios, and feature support for picture-in-picture and picture-on-picture. However, the VX-series sets have a faster claimed response time (5 milliseconds, compared to 8 ms for VW-series sets), which could help reduce incidents of motion blur in fast-motion scenes. We're having a hard time figuring out other differences from the bare-bones spec sheets.

As we mentioned, price differences between the two series are negligible.  For example, based on the Sam’s Club website, the 42-inch VX-series set is $947.78, and the 37-incher is $799.87. The 32-inch VX model is listed at $599.88.

Although the new line will be launched at Wal-Mart, it isn’t exclusive to the retailer; VW-series TVs could be available at other mass-market chains in the future. So far, there’s no word whether Wal-Mart will carry any of Vizio's plasma sets in its stores.

The deal with Wal-Mart is the latest effort by Vizio to expand its retail presence.  In addition to the warehouse clubs, select Vizio VX-series LCD HDTVs can now be found at both Circuit City and Sears stores.

—James K. Willcox

Comments

[Nancy Unzicker]

We purchased a Vizio 42" in August, 2008 & it has gone BLACK> Vizio won't do anything because it is out of warranty & their "Out of Warranty" dept. says they can't do anything either because they do not have any local repairmen.
Our local repairman can't get parts for it!
I feel to spend $1000 for a TV that doesn't last over 1 Year is horrible.
I have contacted a lawyer to see about a Class Action Suit against Vizio as this seems to be a problem for many owners after reading comments on several websites.

[Martin Bennett]

I bought a 50" Pioneer Elite plasma TV early 2004. I'm watching it right now and it still looks and runs perfectly. It's gorgeous. My grandmother had a saying, "We're too poor to buy cheap." Sometimes the least expensive choice costs more up front.

[Jeffrey]

too bad David (above) did not tell us where he found a source for that power supply for $35 Bucks!!!

[Jack]

I have a 42" Visio that went dark 11 months after I bought it. Vizio was very good about scheduling someone to fix it. The repairman was pretty sure it was the power supply, but after switching it out the TV was still dead. Then he switched out the main board (mother board type thing with all the ports on it) and that fixed it. The old board had a burnt spot on it near a transistor or something.

I like the TV and I am really glad I have an extended warranty for 2 more years from Walmart. I just hope I don't have to trash it after about 4 years. I may give Vizio another chance if they try to improve and I am hoping this was just a fluke. We'll see how it goes. Even though I'm complaining and everyone here is complaining I try to keep in mind that for every mad consumer that has a faulty product there are probably 100 or 1000 or more that are happy who wouldn't bother to get online and write a review about how happy they are. Why would they? They're busy watching their shows.

[matt]

my vizio, 42 inch ..said average life 27,000 hrs!, about 25 average yrs., mine lasted 13 mnths, just like a ton of other people. due some more research before you buy 1!!!! then just dont do it! 800$ dollars for a tv for 13 mnths? 1 mnth out of warenty? please,, theres some big problems with this company,,they have to know theres a problem with this tv. pls. contact the bbb if youve had the same problem.

[VizOwner]

I am the owner of the 55" Vizio. I have not had any problems with my TV. After reading all of the comments I decided to profile this company with the BBB (Better Business Bureau) and found that they mostly honor any "contract" or warranty. Umm that is if you bought one when you purchased it. I got mine at Walmart and with anything they sell and offer a warranty I PURCHASE IT! So if my TV does go out they will keep replacing/repairing it until I get my 2yrs out of it,lol. As for the unfortunate ones here sorry to hear you had obstacles.

[Wood]

Bought a 32" Vizio eco 1080P from Costco as it boasted a 90 day Return period No questions asked & a 2 Yr Manuf Warranty. Still in my first 30 days , love the picture and the price wasn't half bad either. $450. Beat Sony price by 200 , hope in will hold up. TV is replacing CRT Sony 35 inch that lasted 11 years. I keep my TV's plugged into a APC Backups unit cause I live in the country & sometimes we have electrical issues. Hopefully this will save me from buying a flyback transformer in the future.. But its nice to know some one has already replaced on themselves & it might be an easy fix.. Thanks.. previous poster>David May 2009

[josh]

I've a 42 inch for 2 years and never an issue

[Sharon]

We bought a 32 in Vizio VP322HDTV10A in February of this year (2009) and it starting blinking on and off and now won't come on. We expected it to last longer than a year for $437. We have contacted Vizio via email. No reply as of yet.

[Sarah Brack]

Gads, I was just about to go to WalMart and buy a 32" Vizio, but thought a little research might be in order. Time to rethink this. I'm sorry you guys had to learn a lesson the hard way :(

[sue]

while i'm not saying you shouldn't be upset with the people that make vizio televisions, why blame it on Wal-Mart? i mean do you blame a recalled car on the company that made it or the dealer that sold it to you? come on, stop blaming Wal-Mart for everything that goes wrong with the items that you buy from them.

[Vanessa Stanford]

We purchase a Vizio 36'' for Sam's Club Christmas of '07 . Nineteen months later the screen went black. You cant turn it on or off with buttons on tv or the remote. If you unplug it a time or two you can make the buttions work with sound sometimes but no picture. We are disgusted, because the warranty has ran out and no one wants to repair or they want to charge enough to buy a new one. I wont purchase another.

[Jeff]

I was at wall-mart and saw a 55" Vizio lcd and was seriously thinking of buying it because of affordability and the picture was really good.After reading everyones coments about Vizio,i dont think i want one especialy with all the problems and not being able to get them fixed.I realy think you guys should report this to the Better Business Beuro and file a class action lawsuit so they can get you reinbursed for youre faulty t.v.'s.If no one does anything about it and just post coments about the problems with the t.v.'s,then they are still going to continue to sell junk t.v's and continue to get away with it.Its like a used car lot selling lemons.Someone has to do something,because we all work very hard for our money.These guys need to be accountable for their faulty products that they sell.

[Neal]

I purchased a Vizio 42" HDTV in Janurary 2008. 18 months later, after warranty expired, the power supply died. Vizio referred me to an independant repair facility that charges $400.00 flat rate to repair it. That's half the cost of the television. Local repairmen won't touch it as I'm told by them they cannot get repair parts. STAY AWAY FROM VIZIO!! Any reputable manufacturer who recognizes a recurring problem with power supplies in their product would issue a recall and repair or replace the defective unit for free.

[Carol]

I brought a Vizio 32" Model VP32210A Aug of 2009 from Walmart and in less than a year the tv went out. One morning I got up and turned the tv on and the tv started blinking on and off by itself. Finally the picture came on and stopped blinking. But a few days later the tv would not turn on at all. I have never brought a television that only lasted a few months and would not recommend or buy another Vizio.

[Karhy Rich]

We bought a 52" Vizio. Absolutely loved it. The picture was amazing and the sound was great. That is, until tonight. We have had it 1 1/2 years and were watching a movie tonight when we heard a pop and the colors on the picture looked like they were running together. We turned it off and discovered the screen was cracked across the entire length! Of course, with a 1-year warranty, too bad for us. Wish we had read the customer comments BEFORE we bought! No more VIZIO.

[keith jewell]

i bought a new 32" vizio frow walmart at christmas it went out for the first time one week later then came back on i tried to take it back but i lost the reciept .it went out a month ago and has not started back up

[MILA]

It's sad to see these messages. I bought 2 Vizio TVs 22" and 26" for about 3 months. And they are still working. Cross my fingers. :-((

[Rev. John White]

The church purchased a Vizio 32" LCD for a display. After 1 year and 1 week it would not turn on. Stay away from Vizio.

[David]

I have a Vizio 32" LCD HD tv, i have had th same power supply problem but found that it is not hard to remove the 6 screws on the back, then the 8 more inside to replace a part that costs around $35, i have had it for about 2 1/2 years and am just about to replace the power supply for the second time. i like the product but it seems that whoever is making the power supply boards for them isnt doing very good quality control, hope this helps anyone who is willing to fix things themselves still.

[Chris Harrell]

I purchased a vizio last tax time and two days ago it just stopped working. Repair cost is rediculoous. Will never buy another vizio product again. Only lasted a year and a couple months.

[Dennis Smith]

I got one 1 1/2 years ago it went out the other day.
I called vizio it will cost as much as a new one.
I spent $636. at wal-mart, want spend much at wal-mart any more.
Does any one know much about class action law suit,or will that help. I am a 54 year old disabiled man i fill like i've been robed

[eddie]

I have a 52inch VIZIO HDMIHDTV and the pixel is out after only having it a year, I have had nothing but the run around from VIZIO...please if anyone knows how I can get this fix, please let me know...these TV are garbage and of course Walmart wants nothing to do with it....

[Brian]

I have 3 Vizio's, a 32" 720p, a 37" 720p and a 47 " 1080p LCDHD models.

They are great and I have not had any problems.

Easy to set up and configure.

Great picture. They rival the picture on my Fathers $2000 Samsung LCDHD.

[Kell]

We bought our son a 26" Vizio and we too had troubles with it almost from the start. Screen would just blank out. Our story almost mirrors the story posted by Rose on May 20th. The display gets fuzzy and blue and then comes the loud high pitched noise. You have to actually unplug the thing from the wall to get it to stop. I wish I would have read these posts before purchasing. Usually, I am a devout Sony buyer..this time I went cheap from Walmart (the TV wasn't cheap, but consider where i purchased it) I would never recommend purchasing big electronics from Walmart EVER. With all these posts about the Vizio brand, a class action suit sounds possible.