I wound up with a 43" 4k TCL for 238 bucks on amazon, normally its at most retailers from 279-299.
I got it and 3 parts of the screen had white dots when the screen was on.
Amazon offered send another one, or have that one at a deep discount. Got them to send another one, and I'll keep in the box for 2 weeks while we see what black friday deals might come. But even the one with a bad board, fits our needs perfectly. I guess the jokes on me for buying such a cheap TV but hopefully the new one will be good.