Question about refresh rates on HDTVs

I got a 39" Samsung LED 1080p 120hz at Wal Mart on Black Friday. I had it on layaway till last Friday and did not have the time to hook it up till a few days ago. I noticed some light gray almost white blotches on the center of my screen when anything other than a TV or movie picture is displayed. I cannot exchange the TV cause it is a model WM does not carry in stock (it can be ordered online).

now onto the question at hand, I was at Sam's club today and they had a 39" Vizio LED 1080p 60hz TV on display for 12 bucks less than I paid for the Sammy (the model I got sells for 450 to 470 online I got it for 400). from what the guy at the club told me is unless you have a TV 40" or bigger you cannot really notice the difference between 120 and 60hz televisions, is he correct or full of crap? cause I have 2 options, buy the Sammy online and then when I get it take the 'defective' one back to the store, or buy the Vizio, and then return the defective Sammy.

 

I can return it as I have 90 days to do so, the blotches are NOT visible in watching movies, or games (unless there is part of the game where you see a lot of grey in the middle of the screen, It can be seen in loading screens for games like GTA 4). not it is not reflection it is visiible when no lights are on in the room they are not as noticible when the lights are on as the screen is glossy and the lights 'hide it'. I am on the fence about buying the same model on walmart.com and when it comes in take mine back and have the refund go back on my CC. I could go for a bigger set but the way my room is shaped I cannot fit anything wider than a 35/36" tv (width not diagonal) or I would have gotten a 40 or 42". the 39" tv fits between my AV cabinet and my right front speaker just nice, here is a pic of my set up but with my old 27" Toshiba, other than the TV everything else is the same.

 

well I was at 2 stores that sell TV sets (Best Buy and HH Gregg) and I found out that they had my TV (well 99.9999% the same different letter at the end of model number but same TV) and I find that mine (the defective one) is also a 60hz TV. but to be honest after watching a few movies and playing a few games on it I never noticed anything different than the 120hz models other than they are $$$ more (HH Gregg had a 37" 120hz LED for 500 compared to the 400 for a 2 inch bigger but half the hz ). So I am either gonna exchange my Sammy for the Vizio (Wal Mart got em so I do not need to use a family members Sam's membership) or buy the set at HH or BB, and then return my unit to WM.

 

well I got the same make and model at a different store (same price I paid on BF) so as soon as I have the time (probably tomorrow) I am gonna take the bad one back to wal mart. yeah the 'blotch was not getting any better in fact it was getting more noticeable when I was watching a movie (Final Fantasy The Spirits Within). so I am glad I got a replacement model, best part since it is the same model I do not have to worry about reprogramming my cable box remote for a new TV (silver lining ). sadly I do not have that DVD player anymore I gave it to a buddy of mine as my PS3 is now my Bluy Ray AND DVD player.

 

well I got the new TV hooked up and guess what, it is worse than the other TV so looks like I am just gonna have to return that TV and go back to my trusty old 32" 720p Sony Bravia *sigh*.

 

UPDATE: well I went to the store to return the TV, the guys at HH Gregg were surprised they could not remember the last time they got a returned Samsung LED set. before I went for the refund they took another from the back opened the box and hooked it up and no blotches, clear picture, etc. so I just did an exchange brought it home, hooked it up and all is good in the world .

 

it is freaking beautiful both in looks (love that glossy black frame and stand) and picture, my PS3 games look incredible as do the blu rays even my HDTV broadcasts look stunning, all in all I am VERY happy with this TV, way nicer than my 5 year old Bravia LCD.