Urban myths of flat panels

Urban myths can be a lot of fun. I really do enjoy them quite a bit. As my bio states, I work in retail and they affect my job in so many ways. One of the first questions that I ask people that shop in my store is if they have been shopping around and if they have seen anything that they have liked. Quite often we are second or third on the list, so of course they have been other places. I love to hear what other stores are saying to these people. Granted, a lot of urban myths do not come from retail, but even still, they are a great resource for them.

Flat panel TVs get the most attention mainly, in my opinion, simply because people do not know how they work. Many times I think it is lack of education, or simply ignorance, that these myths spread. But there sure are some good ones.

• "The liquid in LCDs has a higher freezing point then water and cannot be exposed to anything below 41 degrees."

• "If you touch the gas in a plasma TV, it will kill you."

Both of these "myths" are just from this week. The first one, the guy wanted to put a small LCD on his boat, but a big-box store told him that myth. Cars have LCDs in them and let me tell you it gets cold here in Michigan. The other one was an older couple that yet another big-box store that it was unsafe for someone that had young kids around, grandchildren, to have a plasma. They could break it then, if the children touch it, they will die. Scouts honor, these statements came out of the mouths of my customers just this week.

I am sure that the educated folk that read this blog has heard things in TV stores that made your blood curdle. It sure would brighten my day up if you could share with us some of those experiences.