An Object of Desire
Businessworld says that despite their expense, LCD and plasma display television sets are making inroads beyond the A-B market segment that are assumed to afford this purchase:
“In its latest focus group discussion (FGD) for client Samsung Electronics Phils., TNS Trends found out that the market for LCD TVs has gone beyond the rich market. Samsung described this new market as “high-life seekers” who value both form and function.”
It’s the status symbol of the day because their thin profile makes such an impressive design statement, not to mention everybody knows how expensive they are.
Purchasing such an expensive product is often seen as a benign alternative to what is perceived as a dangerous pursuit:
“Para lang hindi bumili ng motorsiklo ang asawa ko, hinayaan kong bumili ng LCD TV. Sabi ko ’bumili ka nalang ng LCD TV.’ Kahit mahal, mangutang nalang siya sa akin [I told my husband to just spend for an LCD TV -- even if it is expensive -- so that he will not buy the motorcycle I know he wants to buy. I told him I can even lend him the money],” said one FGD participant.
What’s that phrase again about men and boys and the price of their toys?
As more LCD panel factories are rushed into production, expect the price of these TVs to drop some more in the coming months.
