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Question: I recently visited a retailer to see the Panasonic TC-P42X1 plasma. I noted that the price was higher than I had seen in publications and Web sites. The salesperson told me that there are three different series of the TC-P42X1 and that they only sold the Series A (the best, most costly TC-P42X1) whereas Best Buy and other big boxes only offered the inferior Series B or Series C versions. Is this true? - D.S., Minnesota

Answer: No, it is not true. In fact, it is one of the most outrageous lies I have ever heard to justify a non-competitive price. I contacted executives at Panasonic for their comments and they confirmed a TC-P42X1 is a TC-P42X1 no matter where you buy it. For their "Series A, Series B, and Series C" sales pitch, this retailer gets an "F" for honesty and integrity and an "F" for customer service. Take your business elsewhere.

The only time you may see a letter attached to a differently priced model is when it is the letter "B" as in B-stock, an industry term often used to identify refurbished units. If a product is marked as "B-stock" you should be told up front that it is a refurb and you can expect to spend significantly less than for a factory fresh unit. B-stock is not inferior in performance, but warranty terms will likely be different, so make sure the savings are appropriate for the product and terms offered.

Screen-cleaner feedback

My recent column reluctantly recommending Monster TV screen cleaner generated correspondence from readers and Monster's competitors, all recommending alternatives. I tested several and picked two favorites which I can heartily recommend to anyone looking for a screen cleaner. Though they are not as ubiquitous as Monster in the marketplace and you may need to buy online, it will be worth it as you will get better products, save money, and you will be supporting two great companies with good reputations.

The first recommendation is for St. Paul, Minn.-based Sanus Systems. The Sanus ELM101 includes a spray cleaner free of alcohol and ammonia, an antistatic brush and a microfiber cloth, all packaged in a convenient case. It lists for $29.99, but I have found the ELM101 online for as little as $14. That gets you more than the Monster offering, for less money. Learn more at

www.sanus.com

Next up is Klear Screen, a company that specializes in cleaning screens. Klear Screen is the choice of the FAA, the Navy and Air Force, Apple, Dell, Panasonic, the Guggenheim, the Smithsonian and NASA, which uses Klear Screen HD Screen Cleaner to clean the windows of the Space Shuttle and the International Space Station. Klear Screen has five different offerings for cleaning TV screens. Prices range from $12.95 to $29.99.

Klear Screen's nontoxic, alcohol and ammonia-free fluid is made in the company's own factory here in the United States. Refill bottles are available, so you do not have to replace the whole kit when the fluid is used up. Klear Screen also offers a variety of cleaning products for iPods and computers. See more at

www.klearscreen.com

Read past columns and product reviews by Don Lindich at

soundadviceblog.com