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Re-activateSearching for a product by its model number in the store can be an eye-rubbing experience. The slight differences in the number (TH-46PZ80U vs. TH-50PZ800U) and frequency with which they are changed makes shopping for a specific model a task that often requires a magnifying glass and detective's attention to detail.
Responding to our post from last Monday ("Don't overspend on electronics"), one commenter, Gary, vented his frustration with the ever-shifting alphanumerics. I've found myself on more than one occasion ready to buy an item that we've rated well only to find that one particular model missing from store shelves.
That might be one reason many consumers prefer to shop online, where you can enter a specific brand and model number into a search bar and where a discontinued model we've rated might still be found. If it's no longer available new, you might find it as a refurbished or open-box item, since products typically remain available "pre-owned" for long after stock has left stores.
There's no substitute for buying a product that's been fully tested and included in our Ratings. However, when faced in stores with what appears to be a sibling to a tested model, keep in mind one of another of the smart-shopping tips from our December issue: Good performance often runs in the family.
Our tests over the long term have shown that untested products in the same brand line as well-rated models are often fine performers. Additionally, comprehensive reader surveys allow us to compare the reliability of brands for popular, big-ticket items like TVs (available to subscribers).
If you're eyeing a well-priced product you don't see in our Ratings, check it against tested models of the same brand. It also couldn't hurt to run the model number by the community in the Consumer Reports Forums. Fellow shoppers might have some insight about your intended purchase.
—Nick K. Mandle
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