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It turns out that there are indeed best times of the year to buy stuff if you're looking for the best prices and selection.
What’s the best time to buy stuff?
By R.J. Ignelzi, UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
Saturday, January 9, 2010 at 12:06 a.m.
Timing is everything. From finding the perfect mate to landing a great job, it’s as much about when it happens as how or why.
The same thing goes for purchases. While you can buy a computer, camera or chain saw anytime, you’re likely to get a better deal and have a lot more choices if you shop for certain items during particular months of the year.
“There’s a best time to buy just about everything,” says Mark Di Vincenzo, author of “Buy Ketchup in May and Fly at Noon,” (Harper), who interviewed hundreds of merchants and manufacturers’ associations about when to buy. “Sometimes it’s simply a matter of common sense. But other times it’s really a surprise.”
Here’s a year’s schedule of bargain opportunities.
JANUARY:
• Televisions. After the holidays, retailers drop prices for new-model TVs and knock down prices on older models just in time to watch the Super Bowl.
• Linens. Department stores traditionally hold white sales during this month while they conduct their annual inventory.
FEBRUARY:
• Boats. Dealers typically offer their best prices during the winter boat shows when sailors’ dreams become a reality.
• Cameras. Camera makers often reduce prices on older-model cameras as the new ones debut at big trade shows. Wait for the Presidents Day sales for the very best prices.
MARCH:
• Jewelry. Save on bling in any non-gift-giving month. Prices go up during months in which jewelry is a popular gift (Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Christmas, etc.)
• Frozen foods. Celebrate National Frozen Foods month and stock your freezer. Expect sales on frozen peas and pizza and a wide distribution of frozen food coupons.
APRIL:
• Thrift store bargains. It’s prime pickings at the secondhand stores as homeowners do their spring cleaning and clear out garages and closets.
• Small appliances. The fiscal year for most Japanese manufacturers ends on March 31, and that’s when they start introducing new models of coffee makers, can openers, alarm clocks, etc. Sales help stores unload older items.
MAY:
• Refrigerators. Stores usually discount existing refrigerators to make room for fancy new models that arrive in the summer.
• Picnic items. Go crazy on mustard, relish, pickles and barbecue briquettes. Everything’s on sale because it’s the official beginning of the al fresco season. Stock up now for the entire year.
JUNE:
• Tools. With Father’s Day looming, hardware stores are looking to reel you in with sales on power saws, sanders and electric screwdrivers. It’s better than a tie and a lot more fun for Dad.
JULY:
• Furniture. Retailers are trying to make room for new sofas and bedroom sets, which arrive in August. Sale furniture often has the same frames as the newer items; only the upholstery is different.
AUGUST:
• Computers. Today’s laptops have become as much of a back-to-school necessity as pens and notebooks. The prices on computers this month are often the lowest of the year. Sometimes even the debuting models are offered at introductory sale prices.
SEPTEMBER
• Swimsuits. Although sales begin in August, you’ll find the best prices this month when the beach crowd goes back to school.
• Cars. This is when new cars begin arriving at dealerships and older models are priced to move out and make room for the new ones. You’ll save even more if you can wait until October or November.
OCTOBER:
• Jeans. Many stores treat jeans like any other back-to-school item. After post-back-to-school sales end in September, there will be deep discounts on all things denim.
NOVEMBER:
• Wedding dresses. Bridal shops stock up on dresses this month because so many people get engaged at Christmas. Shop this month to get a jump-start on after-holiday dress shoppers.
• Toys. It used to be that popular toys went on sale just after Thanksgiving. But the hot-toy-discount season now starts right after Halloween. Those same toys will be full price in December, so it pays to be an early bird.
DECEMBER:
• Barbecue grills. All grills drop in price after the summer months and will only continue to get cheaper as the weather gets colder.
• Sparkling wine and Champagne. You’d think that in the season of holiday cheer prices would be sky-high. Au contraire. Competition is fierce among wine dealers, driving prices lower. Grocery stores also help to push prices down.
By R.J. Ignelzi, UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
Saturday, January 9, 2010 at 12:06 a.m.
Timing is everything. From finding the perfect mate to landing a great job, it’s as much about when it happens as how or why.
The same thing goes for purchases. While you can buy a computer, camera or chain saw anytime, you’re likely to get a better deal and have a lot more choices if you shop for certain items during particular months of the year.
“There’s a best time to buy just about everything,” says Mark Di Vincenzo, author of “Buy Ketchup in May and Fly at Noon,” (Harper), who interviewed hundreds of merchants and manufacturers’ associations about when to buy. “Sometimes it’s simply a matter of common sense. But other times it’s really a surprise.”
Here’s a year’s schedule of bargain opportunities.
JANUARY:
• Televisions. After the holidays, retailers drop prices for new-model TVs and knock down prices on older models just in time to watch the Super Bowl.
• Linens. Department stores traditionally hold white sales during this month while they conduct their annual inventory.
FEBRUARY:
• Boats. Dealers typically offer their best prices during the winter boat shows when sailors’ dreams become a reality.
• Cameras. Camera makers often reduce prices on older-model cameras as the new ones debut at big trade shows. Wait for the Presidents Day sales for the very best prices.
MARCH:
• Jewelry. Save on bling in any non-gift-giving month. Prices go up during months in which jewelry is a popular gift (Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Christmas, etc.)
• Frozen foods. Celebrate National Frozen Foods month and stock your freezer. Expect sales on frozen peas and pizza and a wide distribution of frozen food coupons.
APRIL:
• Thrift store bargains. It’s prime pickings at the secondhand stores as homeowners do their spring cleaning and clear out garages and closets.
• Small appliances. The fiscal year for most Japanese manufacturers ends on March 31, and that’s when they start introducing new models of coffee makers, can openers, alarm clocks, etc. Sales help stores unload older items.
MAY:
• Refrigerators. Stores usually discount existing refrigerators to make room for fancy new models that arrive in the summer.
• Picnic items. Go crazy on mustard, relish, pickles and barbecue briquettes. Everything’s on sale because it’s the official beginning of the al fresco season. Stock up now for the entire year.
JUNE:
• Tools. With Father’s Day looming, hardware stores are looking to reel you in with sales on power saws, sanders and electric screwdrivers. It’s better than a tie and a lot more fun for Dad.
JULY:
• Furniture. Retailers are trying to make room for new sofas and bedroom sets, which arrive in August. Sale furniture often has the same frames as the newer items; only the upholstery is different.
AUGUST:
• Computers. Today’s laptops have become as much of a back-to-school necessity as pens and notebooks. The prices on computers this month are often the lowest of the year. Sometimes even the debuting models are offered at introductory sale prices.
SEPTEMBER
• Swimsuits. Although sales begin in August, you’ll find the best prices this month when the beach crowd goes back to school.
• Cars. This is when new cars begin arriving at dealerships and older models are priced to move out and make room for the new ones. You’ll save even more if you can wait until October or November.
OCTOBER:
• Jeans. Many stores treat jeans like any other back-to-school item. After post-back-to-school sales end in September, there will be deep discounts on all things denim.
NOVEMBER:
• Wedding dresses. Bridal shops stock up on dresses this month because so many people get engaged at Christmas. Shop this month to get a jump-start on after-holiday dress shoppers.
• Toys. It used to be that popular toys went on sale just after Thanksgiving. But the hot-toy-discount season now starts right after Halloween. Those same toys will be full price in December, so it pays to be an early bird.
DECEMBER:
• Barbecue grills. All grills drop in price after the summer months and will only continue to get cheaper as the weather gets colder.
• Sparkling wine and Champagne. You’d think that in the season of holiday cheer prices would be sky-high. Au contraire. Competition is fierce among wine dealers, driving prices lower. Grocery stores also help to push prices down.
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