I've been offered $750 for this TV
Brand New
http://hhgregg.com/ProductDetail.asp?SID=n&ProductID=21532&BrandStore=All

I've got a friend on the inside who can cut me this deal?
Should I take it

Ehhh....720, which isnt that big a deal IMO, but for a 42inch plasma, you can find others out there around the same price. Its not a bad deal though...!

it's about or less than $150 off list price. If it were me, I'd go for something with greater native resolution. I mean, if your going to pay you might as well give a bit more and get a lot more. It just really depends on your mind set.

on sale at Best Buy - $879.99

What's native resolution?
I can get many of the TV's sold at HHGregg for cheaper than advertised because of my connections, any other HHGregg computers that are good.

would rather have this one for a little over $800
http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-Viera-TH-42PX80U-42-Inch-Plasma/dp/B00142HLV4/ref=wl_it_dp?ie=UTF8&coliid=I2DTEIDEWCKIIM&colid=82JOBVJTKRO3

you can see this set in Best Buy, most likely demoed right beside a Pioneer Kuro, and aside from a few shades of black level, they are quite comparable - until you realize the Panasonic is $850 and the Pioneer is $2G

Plasma kings :
Pioneer
Panasonic
.......
maybe Samsung
Hitachi
.......
everyone else

I havent been impressed with Panasonic when TV shopping. But that's what they say...if it isn't Panny or Sammy, don't get it.
Then again, TV manufacturers are on top of the world one minute and in the gutter the next.

What's native resolution?

you know, that may not be the correct term. What I'm trying to say is that I'd rather have 720p and 1080i settings not just 720p. I'd rather have the 1080 capability as long as I was throwing down bucks. Prices will continue to fall on this stuff and you know that something better than 1080 will come along sooner or later. 720 is very good, but I'd rather have the 1080 at least... so as long as your spending you might as well spend a little more.

It is arguable whether there is a difference between 720p and 1080i.

But what you don't want is some converted version of 1080i by a 720p TV. There are big differences technically btwn the 2. Honestly on alot of things, 720p is better due to not having fields. But when stuff is being broadcast both 720p and 1080i, why not get a TV that can handle both? I would say look elsewhere because if it is only a 720p, it isn't a very good deal. Are you sure it doesn't handle 1080i?

It is arguable whether there is a difference between 720p and 1080i.

but it's irrefutable that you will argue anything.

most low-end plasma are 720p (or really 1366x768)
720p is actually better for motion, just flip back and forth between a Fox and CBS broadcast on Sunday
there are actually a few 1080p plasma and LCD sets in the $1300 range currently
Sam's has a Philips 47"1080p LCD for $1294 for instance

I havent been impressed with Panasonic when TV shopping. But that's what they say...if it isn't Panny or Sammy, don't get it.
Then again, TV manufacturers are on top of the world one minute and in the gutter the next.

where do you shop ?
you can barely put a Pioneer against a Panasonic (plasma)
then again you didn't say plasma
are you speaking of Panny's in general ?

NEVER EVER EVER NEVER buy a TV based on in store calibration