[quote name='Griffey867']It's actually intelligent to use financing in your favor. 0% interest with no fees is literally free money. Why pay $1500 all at once now when you could pay $100 a month for the next 15 months, while keeping the money segregated in another safe investment (high yield savings account) earning interest.[/QUOTE]
A common misconception. Your suggestion does not account for risk. Would you take out a second mortgage on your house to make an investment that is slightly higher than the interest on the loan? Most people would not; yet, the idea of using a 0% interest loan to "save" the money is the same thing.
If you put the $1500 in a high yield saving account and pay the entire amount of the TV at the end of 18 months then you would make just shy of $60 with an interest rate of 2.5% (very unlikely you will have a rate this high). One small misstep (risk) on the terms of your agreement and you will more than lose that $60. One large expense (risk) that your were not expecting that makes it so you cannot pay the balance at the end of 18 months and you've lost more money again. Plus, you have the "work" of keeping the terms of the agreement the entire time.
If you pay cash outright, then you avoid the hassle and risk of being a slave to a finance company.
To the OP, several people do take out 0% credit and many people who do end up paying interest on it (all of them thought it was a good deal at the time and for most it ends up not to be.)
The best policy is to have an emergency fund first, then save cash for your purchases. I wish I could convey enough that debt is dumb. People spend 47% more when using debt than cash. You may get your $1500 and decide that the money looks better than the TV.
I don't mean to sound fanatical, but we have been "sold" that debt is a way of life when it is irresponsible. I suggest reading some of Dave Ramsey's materials about debt if you want to see what I mean.
Take care, and good luck on whatever you decide to do.
Take care and good luck with whatever decision you make.