Want a big, drool-worthy LCD TV but can't afford the price?  Envy no more.  Here are three options for finding the cheapest LCD TV of your dreams:

Wait for a clearance sale.

Clearance sales are excellent opportunities for finding never-before-used LCD TVs at slashed down prices.  They're still not dirt cheap but the discount on the price tags should make a very happy person out of you.

Clearance sales are held periodically by manufacturers and their authorized dealers.  Units are relatively brand new, in the sense that they haven't been used or bought by anyone before.  They're just being sold cheap so newer models of LCD TVs can come in.  But what's wrong with an LCD TV model that's only a year old, right?  As long as it's cheap and performs well.

Go for a cheaper brand.

Forget Pioneer and Sony.  These brands are great buys, true – but only if you have the money.  Since you're looking for a cheap LCD TV right now, best stick to brands that are displayed further down the aisles or those brands that you only find at discount stores.  They may not be familiar to you but they're worth a try.

Buy a refurb unit.

'Refurb' stands for refurbished.  These are TVs that have been repackaged by the manufacturer or retailer and are being resold at very high discounts.  Refurbs aren't the same as 'used' or 'reconditioned' units – they're basically brand new units.  They just needed a few minor repairs and are generally in excellent working condition.

A caveat: refurb units may let you get your hands on a cheap LCD TV but it does pay to find out as much as you can about the unit.  Get a warranty as well, preferably one that offers you full refund or a replacement.

Posted under *Buying Advice*