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
Posted by: Neal | Jul 1, 2009 1:36:59 PM
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.
Posted by: Carol | Jun 19, 2009 2:51:22 PM
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.
Posted by: Karhy Rich | Jun 13, 2009 10:53:24 PM
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.
Posted by: keith jewell | May 17, 2009 3:05:03 PM
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
Posted by: MILA | May 10, 2009 3:40:12 PM
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. :-((
Posted by: Rev. John White | May 9, 2009 8:10:59 PM
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.
Posted by: David | May 1, 2009 9:16:07 PM
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.
Posted by: Chris Harrell | Apr 13, 2009 11:16:00 AM
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.
Posted by: Dennis Smith | Apr 7, 2009 11:51:58 AM
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
Posted by: eddie | Mar 17, 2009 5:47:20 PM
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....
Posted by: Brian | Feb 26, 2009 7:48:33 PM
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.
Posted by: Kell | Feb 8, 2009 7:44:12 PM
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.
Posted by: gani houari | Dec 28, 2008 6:58:45 AM
Consumer Report needs to take another look at WalMart Vizio TVs prices and UPDATE it's information.After all,isn't that what we,subscribers,look for and expect from it?
Posted by: Brad | Dec 16, 2008 3:04:07 PM
My Vizio was great for a year, nothing like throwing 700.00 out the window. I will never recommend or buy another vizio product again
Time to bring in the Better Business Bureau
Posted by: Cecilia Di Minchella | Oct 23, 2008 12:16:20 PM
I Purchased a 42" LCD HDTV last year in november, it is now oct of the folowing year and the power to my TV has shut down. Like all the others Vizio will not honor there 1yr in house warrenty and are leaving me to absorb the $400.xx sum odd cost of reparing the damb thing. I am not a happy customer. This company dose not support there clients which is the down fall for most new companies such a shame. I wonder what such established companies as Cost Co and Wall Mart would have to say. I am sure cost co would not be happy knowong that they will have a lot of warentied TV's to absorb the cost of knowing that Vizio will not take reponsibility for there faulty products.
Posted by: brolyn petri | Sep 30, 2008 11:03:37 AM
32" vizio loved this UNTIL power supply went out. power supply is backordered from the factory???? Don't know when this will be resolved. Bought an RCA 40" as a replacement. Happy again.
Posted by: Charles Mckay | Aug 26, 2008 3:36:56 PM
I got the Vizio gv 42" lcd. It works perfect but when we moved it last week, someone placed a shelve against the screen. The screen is cracked and looks bloody. I wanted to find someone that had a good screen that I could combine with my great electronics to make a good TV. You cant buy the screen. Anyone know how to trade?
Posted by: Jean T | Aug 25, 2008 10:01:45 PM
I have a 42" Vizio. I sometimes get black boxes on the screen. They don't appear in the same place, and if you turn the tv off and then back on, they disapper, only to reappear again in a little while.
Anyone have this problem? Anyone have a clue as to what to do?
Posted by: John Hagedorn | Aug 12, 2008 12:18:56 PM
My 32inch Vizio HD lasted 2 1/2 years before it started shutting off automatically. Then it quit completely. Vizio, after much hassle, told me it was a power supply problem, and that most companies were experiencing the same problem (?) They offered info on repair shops, so I could fix it myself. In the meantime, I watched TV on my 28 year-old Sony, which still works perfectly.
Fortunately, Sam's Club stood behind me, gave me credit on a new TV.
( I purchased a JVC ).
Remember the old cliche, 'you get what you pay for'.
Posted by: carol r | Jun 28, 2008 9:51:42 PM
i got a 32 iin dec 2007 at walmart and it went out. walmart wont taake it back and vizio will not replace it ,have been waiting of repair man for over one week and on the phone with vizio daily . this tv is a bunch of s**8 and i am sick of it .
Posted by: Rose Esche | May 20, 2008 11:50:40 AM
My Vizio VX32L will be a year old on June 2, 2008. I purchased it at Sams Club. I cannot find receipt so warrenty work is out of the question. I verified purchase date with my Disocver Card statements.
You get what you pay for. For no reason the picture will just turn to static green lines and the audio is high pitched unbearable noise. It happens when playing video games or when watching via direct TV box. Only way to stop it is to disconnect the power source. At first I thought it was the play stations 3, but I have used the play station on my JVC and it has no problems. Then it started with direct TV input so I narrowed it down to the TV. Considering I am now unemployed replacing it is out of the question...I am really disappointed.
Posted by: michelle casper | May 8, 2008 1:55:41 AM
I too have a vizio 32" and power went out this week. This is my second vizio. First one, same thing happened. I was able to take back to costco and get my money back. But I thought I'd give vizio another try. and guess what I got what I paid for. This one lasted just over a year. My guess is to spend the extra money and get the nicer, better quaility.
Posted by: Leigh | Dec 13, 2007 9:46:58 PM
I bought a 50" Plasma at the beginning fo the year - thought it was great until the speakers started to make a static noise - It took me 3 weeks before I could get anyone to come out and take a look at the TV - then they didn't have the right parts, and when I complained to Vizio customer service , they put the phone down on me!!!! I definitely would not recommend this TV/Brand to people. Pay a little bit extra and get customer service and satisfaction from another brand!!!
Posted by: Sam | Dec 3, 2007 4:40:51 PM
Have a vizio 32 lcd tv....loved it but now I see the problems with the power supply. Would like to get another power supply but afraid repair probably costs more than a new tv. At this rate wouldn't buy another one again. All I have seen are problems with power supplies and not just on one particular model. From what I hear their service department is non- existent also. Does any one know where to write so we could all put in our two cents worth in the consumers interest for a recall or at least no one else gets taken. We shouldn't let us all be getting taken like this. I didn't spend $600 to just burn my money up and only have it last for a year...I don't make that kind of money do you?
Posted by: Jc | Nov 15, 2007 10:53:23 PM
I bought a Vizio TV (Model VX32L)and I had to change it the third day after I bought it because it started changing channels, input and volume all by itself. The second one they gave me at Sams started doing the same like a week after I brought it home. Also the remote control from the second TV broke the second day, it just stoped working. I am changing it again this weekend, this time for another brand. I do not recomend this TV to ANYONE, not even my enemies.