While everything else seems to have become more expensive, televisions are somehow cheaper and bigger than they’ve ever been before.
For example, in 2007, a 50-inch television would cost about $6,000—or over $9,000 in today’s money. Now, shoppers can easily find a 50-inch TV on Amazon for less than $200.
Not only that, but much larger sizes are available. If you’ve got the space and the budget, you can pick up a massive TV—98 inches—from Walmart for less than $1,500. Or, if you’re willing to splurge, you can get a 116-inch TV for just under $20,000.
But if you buy one of these large TVs at the store, how are you going to get it home? One woman didn’t entirely think this through, and now, she says that lack of forethought left her stuck in a Walmart parking lot.
What Happened To This Woman’s TV Purchase?
In a video with over 139,000 views, TikTok user Jesica Hatch (@jesicahatch) shows herself outside of a Walmart. The video shows a Ford Bronco. In front of it is an 85” Roku TV.
“Bought this TV. It doesn’t fit in the Bronco,” Hatch summarizes. “And now, I’m stranded at Walmart.”
While it seems that Hatch considered returning the television, she says she was unable to do so, as “I haven’t had it for 24 hours.”
How Common Is This Problem?
While people like the idea of a massive TV, some on the internet claim that they can present problems.
For example, many think that bigger is always better. Consequently, they get the biggest TV they can afford—and set it up in their small apartment just a couple of feet from their couch. This can make for an unpleasant and uncomfortable viewing experience.
RTINGS has its own sitting distance vs. ideal TV size calculator. According to this calculator, if one has their seated position 10 feet away from their television, they should select a 75-inch TV in order to have the most comfortable viewing experience.
Given that the average American living room has a width of about 12 feet, it’s possible that many Americans would find a TV that’s 85 inches or more too big for their needs.
Additionally, as noted in Hatch’s video, large televisions have a transportation problem. Some, like Hatch, find that they want a big TV but simply don’t have the room in their car to move it. In a comment under a later video, Hatch says that she was eventually able to get the television home, as her “sis ubered to get a truck.”
Others learn upon bringing their TV home (or having it delivered) that it doesn’t actually fit in their house. One Reddit user showed how he ordered a 98-inch TV, only to discover that it didn’t actually fit through his door. In a comment, he says that he ended up simply having the delivery drivers return the device.
How Are You Supposed To Get These TVs Home?
In the comments section, users offered advice on how to transport large TVs.
“Order online have it delivered,” suggested a user.
“Common sense would say go back into Walmart and buy some straps and put the [expletive] tv on top of the roof,” offered another.
“My co worker ordered an uber black & put his tv in the back then followed it home when this happened to him,” shared a third.
“Take it out of the box and put in the back with seats down n keep paperwork,” advised a further TikToker.
@jesicahatch Walmart won’t let me return it because I haven’t had it for 24 hours. #walmart #walmartsucks #bronco
BroBible reached out to Walmart via media relations contact form and Hatch via TikTok comment and Instagram direct message.