# Do I need this overpriced hoojeewatsit to "clean" my electricity for a LCD televsion? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 14, 2009, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-need-this-overpriced-hoojeewatsit-to-clean-my-electricity-for-a-lcd-televsion/481310 "2009-01-14T20:16:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2009, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-need-this-overpriced-hoojeewatsit-to-clean-my-electricity-for-a-lcd-televsion/481310/1 "2009-01-14T20:16:40Z")
[Monster PowerCenter](http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp;jsessionid=TAACDIF0NO0LBKC4D3MVAGA?skuId=8812083&type=product&id=1206749374164). That’s what the guy at Best Buy tried to tell me (along with trying to sell me $120 HDMI cables, also from Monster). He said I needed it to “clean” my electricity, as well as to make it so the LCD television didn’t “run so hot”, which would “extend its life”. I laughed at him, told him nothing from Monster would ever enter my apartment while I had breath in my body, turned down the extended warranty, fenced with him for a while over the “Free Installation” (I gave in on that one and let him schedule it for Saturday; I can cancel it on Friday when I don’t need it.), refused the “3 year no interest financing” and finally got the damn TV in my car. (Are they this bad when men make purchases alone? I felt kinda like it might have been a gender thing…) Came home, plugged the new TV into the old surge protector (which has that “circuit breaker” feature on the switch, prob’ly cost $12 two years ago), ordered 4 ~$5 HDMI cables from MyCableMart, (which came to $60 even with overnight shipping) but…now I’m wondering. Am I exposing my shiny new expensive television to risky electric gremlins? I did find a “ferrite” in the TV box, and clipped it onto the television’s power cord, near the plug at the surge protector end. Will this suffice? ---
**Author:** ![Absolute](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b2d939/32.png) [@Absolute](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Absolute)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2009, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-need-this-overpriced-hoojeewatsit-to-clean-my-electricity-for-a-lcd-televsion/481310/2 "2009-01-14T20:25:43Z")
If you don’t have any obvious power problems at your house, a surge protector is all you need. That’s basically all this thing claims to be, although it has some bullshit about reducing electronic noise. The whole point of digital systems is that they are noise-tolerant, so that’s a non-issue with new TVs. Best Buy tries to sell you crap regardless of your gender. I’m a guy, and I went in there with my dad to buy an HDTV the other day. In addition to the standard overpriced HDMI cables, they tried to sell us an extended warranty by saying the high-end LG TV we were buying was actually one of the most unreliable models, and gave us some similar bullshit to what you must have heard about power fluctuations and picture quality. Unfortunately, as much as I hate to reward a company with such lousy business practices, when I need to buy something quickly, they’re damn convenient if you’re willing to tune out the bullshit. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2009, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-need-this-overpriced-hoojeewatsit-to-clean-my-electricity-for-a-lcd-televsion/481310/3 "2009-01-14T20:32:16Z")
You did the right thing. Best Buy was trying to sell you stuff that you do not need. ---
**Author:** ![Jimmy\_Joe\_Meager](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/bb73d2/32.png) [@Jimmy\_Joe\_Meager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jimmy_Joe_Meager)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2009, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-need-this-overpriced-hoojeewatsit-to-clean-my-electricity-for-a-lcd-televsion/481310/4 "2009-01-14T20:35:17Z")
> [@WhyNot](#): > > as well as to make it so the LCD television didn’t “run so hot” If your TV’s running hot you should do a basic inspection of the cooling system first. Fluid topped up? Any obvious leaks? If nothing apparent jumps out there, you might have a bad thermometer which, depending on the model and your mechanical expertise, might require taking it to a shop to have it replaced. (I’m sorry, I couldn’t resist, it was just the perfect setup. **Absolute** is correct.) ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2009, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-need-this-overpriced-hoojeewatsit-to-clean-my-electricity-for-a-lcd-televsion/481310/5 "2009-01-14T20:39:25Z")
> [@Absolute](#): > > Best Buy tries to sell you crap regardless of your gender. Oh good! I guess. I mean, better it be that they do it to everyone than because I have boobs. > [@](#): > > In addition to the standard overpriced HDMI cables, Oh my goodness! Tell me about it. I’d read online about the problem, but until I was in the market myself, I had no idea how bad the rip-off really is. No exaggeration, $120 or $5. I mean, I’m used to paying a little more for the convenience of getting everything all at one place, but not that much more! > [@](#): > > Unfortunately, as much as I hate to reward a company with such lousy business practices, when I need to buy something quickly, they’re damn convenient if you’re willing to tune out the bullshit. Tell me about it. I like to look at it this way: if I do my homework online, I can find the cheapest price. If it’s Best Buy (it was, by about $100), and I can pay it and get out of there without falling for any upselling at all, I’ve probably COST them money, not made them money. That makes me happy. [QUOTE=What Exit?] You did the right thing. [/QUOTE] Yay! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Xema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9de053/32.png) [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2009, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-need-this-overpriced-hoojeewatsit-to-clean-my-electricity-for-a-lcd-televsion/481310/6 "2009-01-14T20:53:11Z")
I suspect that there’s little risk in assuming that anything a BestBuy (or similar store’s) salesman recommends to accompany the purchase of a chosen item is either not worth having or available elsewhere for a much better price. The more he tries to push a certain item, the more likely this is to be true. Anyone know of exceptions to this? ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2009, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-need-this-overpriced-hoojeewatsit-to-clean-my-electricity-for-a-lcd-televsion/481310/7 "2009-01-14T21:07:17Z")
> [@Xema](#): > > Anyone know of exceptions to this? Nope. They’ll do the same regarding speaker wire. (And the same “don’t buy Monster” screed applies even moreso in that instance.) ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2009, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-need-this-overpriced-hoojeewatsit-to-clean-my-electricity-for-a-lcd-televsion/481310/8 "2009-01-14T21:11:01Z")
> [@Xema](#): > > I suspect that there’s little risk in assuming that anything a BestBuy (or similar store’s) salesman recommends to accompany the purchase of a chosen item is either not worth having or available elsewhere for a much better price. The more he tries to push a certain item, the more likely this is to be true. > > Anyone know of exceptions to this? I know of no exceptions. Warranties in particular. Wait, one possible exception. If you are not capable of carrying the product home and setting it up and they push for delivery and set-up it might be correct though it will still be overpriced. ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2009, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-need-this-overpriced-hoojeewatsit-to-clean-my-electricity-for-a-lcd-televsion/481310/9 "2009-01-14T21:18:17Z")
You did the right thing. If you get home and hook it up and the picture looks great to you consider yourself $115 richer for not buying their cables. And in 3-4 years when the TV is still running just fine consider yourself another $200-$400 richer for not buying their extended warranty. And get yourself a normal surge protector for ~$30 and consider yourself $200 richer for not buying that Monster Cable thing. Add-ons are designed to suck money out of the consumers pockets and make money for the retailer. Not un-like appetizers/alcohol/desserts, rustproofing, tennis-shoe-scuff-remover, etc, etc. ---
**Author:** ![masterofnone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4bbf92/32.png) [@masterofnone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/masterofnone)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2009, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-need-this-overpriced-hoojeewatsit-to-clean-my-electricity-for-a-lcd-televsion/481310/10 "2009-01-14T21:27:11Z")
Having lost 2 TV’s to power surges, I would get a better surge protector, but you don’t need to spend that crazy money on one. Your $12 one is not much of a surge protector. [Here’s](http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8731456&type=product&id=1201913279983) a $12 one, and it’s rated to 900 joules. [Here’s](http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8731438&type=product&id=1201913279841) one for $38 that is rated for 2700 joules. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2009, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-need-this-overpriced-hoojeewatsit-to-clean-my-electricity-for-a-lcd-televsion/481310/11 "2009-01-14T21:54:16Z")
> [@masterofnone](#): > > Having lost 2 TV’s to power surges, I would get a better surge protector, but you don’t need to spend that crazy money on one. Your $12 one is not much of a surge protector. [Here’s](http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8731456&type=product&id=1201913279983) a $12 one, and it’s rated to 900 joules. [Here’s](http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8731438&type=product&id=1201913279841) one for $38 that is rated for 2700 joules. I thought that “rated for X joules” was a measure of the lifespan of the surge protector, not its effectiveness. No? That being said, how do I know if my surge protector is nearing the end of its lifespan, anyhow? Should I just replace it periodically to be sure, even if it still appears to be working? How often? ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2009, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-need-this-overpriced-hoojeewatsit-to-clean-my-electricity-for-a-lcd-televsion/481310/12 "2009-01-14T22:03:14Z")
> [@WhyNot](#): > > I thought that “rated for X joules” was a measure of the lifespan of the surge protector, not its effectiveness. No? > > That being said, how do I know if my surge protector is nearing the end of its lifespan, anyhow? Should I just replace it periodically to be sure, even if it still appears to be working? How often? If you’re worried, but a newer one and move the current one to a less important area. Use it as a power strip for minor electrical stuff. In general though they hold up for a very long time. ---
**Author:** ![Manduck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/manduck/32/256_2.png) [@Manduck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Manduck)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2009, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-need-this-overpriced-hoojeewatsit-to-clean-my-electricity-for-a-lcd-televsion/481310/13 "2009-01-14T22:15:43Z")
I once asked a guy in Best Buy whether _this_ cable (in my left hand) was the same type as _that_ cable (in my right hand), because the connectors looked a little different. Instead of answering my question (I would have accepted “yes”, “no”, or “I don’t know”), he tried to convince me to buy a third cable that was much more expensive than either of the two I was considering. It was one of those annoying pitches where he asks me a lot of questions too, like do I consider quality important, etc. I got so pissed off that I walked out of there without buying anything. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2009, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-need-this-overpriced-hoojeewatsit-to-clean-my-electricity-for-a-lcd-televsion/481310/14 "2009-01-14T22:29:10Z")
> [@Absolute](#): > > In addition to the standard overpriced HDMI cables, they tried to sell us an extended warranty by saying the high-end LG TV we were buying was actually one of the most unreliable models, and gave us some similar bullshit to what you must have heard about power fluctuations and picture quality. I’d have said, “Oh - you say this model you’re selling me is really unreliable? Then no thanks.” I might even tell a manager that I was “this close” to buying the set, bbut since they put such unreliable products out on the floor I’m reconsidering - just to watch him backtrack. ---
**Author:** ![mks57](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b9bd4f/32.png) [@mks57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mks57)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2009, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-need-this-overpriced-hoojeewatsit-to-clean-my-electricity-for-a-lcd-televsion/481310/15 "2009-01-14T23:38:33Z")
> [@masterofnone](#): > > Having lost 2 TV’s to power surges, I would get a better surge protector, but you don’t need to spend that crazy money on one. Your $12 one is not much of a surge protector. [Here’s](http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8731456&type=product&id=1201913279983) a $12 one, and it’s rated to 900 joules. [Here’s](http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8731438&type=product&id=1201913279841) one for $38 that is rated for 2700 joules. I’d also look to make sure it has been tested and listed to the requirements of UL 1449, the standard for Transient Voltage Surge Suppressors. > **[We help create a safer world for you](https://www.ul.com/consumers)** > > At UL Solutions, we help test, verify and certify that the things in your life are safe, secure and sustainable, as well as perform as advertised. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2009, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-need-this-overpriced-hoojeewatsit-to-clean-my-electricity-for-a-lcd-televsion/481310/16 "2009-01-14T23:42:00Z")
> [@Munch](#): > > I’d have said, “Oh - you say this model you’re selling me is really unreliable? Then no thanks.” I might even tell a manager that I was “this close” to buying the set, bbut since they put such unreliable products out on the floor I’m reconsidering - just to watch him backtrack. Former (long ago) Radio Shack store manager here. That doesn’t work; salespeople (and sales managers) are well-trained at overcoming objections such as this. You play the “unreliable” card, and they play the “even Rolls-Royce has a service department” card. ---
**Author:** ![Ponderoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponderoid/32/19221_2.png) [@Ponderoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponderoid)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2009, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-need-this-overpriced-hoojeewatsit-to-clean-my-electricity-for-a-lcd-televsion/481310/17 "2009-01-14T23:45:23Z")
Another recent thread on [electronic snake oil](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=499910). \*\*\* Ponder ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2009, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-need-this-overpriced-hoojeewatsit-to-clean-my-electricity-for-a-lcd-televsion/481310/18 "2009-01-14T23:49:06Z")
> [@Absolute](#): > > In addition to the standard overpriced HDMI cables, they tried to sell us an extended warranty by saying the high-end LG TV we were buying was actually one of the most unreliable models The correct response to this is, “well, if it’s so unreliable, you might as well cancel the sale. I’ll go somewhere that doesn’t sell unreliable crap.” ---
**Author:** ![Rysto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ecccb3/32.png) [@Rysto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysto)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2009, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-need-this-overpriced-hoojeewatsit-to-clean-my-electricity-for-a-lcd-televsion/481310/19 "2009-01-14T23:57:58Z")
[This is what they’re trying to sell you](http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2002/11/25/). Monster Cables sell overpriced equipment to the gullible. ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2009, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-need-this-overpriced-hoojeewatsit-to-clean-my-electricity-for-a-lcd-televsion/481310/20 "2009-01-15T01:28:13Z")
When we bought a dryer at BB (they were the only ones in town carrying the one that matched our last-years’-model washer), the salesman warned that if we didn’t get a new dryer vent hose, the new dryer probably wouldn’t work (I think he said that they would refuse to install it without a new hose, which I was fine with, and I’m perfectly capable of installing a dryer), and implied quite strongly that our house would burn down. Literally. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-need-this-overpriced-hoojeewatsit-to-clean-my-electricity-for-a-lcd-televsion/481310.md?page=2)