End-of-season sales, model-year changeovers, and overstocks make autumn a bargain hunter’s dream. The name of the game is patience, with a dash of planning. When demand is high, prices are high.
Immediately after the summer season ends—or sometimes just before it officially ends—grills, patio furniture, garden décor, pool accessories, and lawn and garden equipment are offered at reduced prices. Holding out a few more weeks can lead to further price reductions as retailers need to clear out stragglers—of 50-, 75-, and sometimes even 90 percent off—but at the risk of the item in question becoming sold out.
If that dream patio umbrella with mister system is no longer on the floor, it may still be available online. Warehouse space is cheaper than floor space, so be sure to check.
But savvy shopping isn’t just about items you’ll use next year.
Outdoorsy Options
Camping equipment is also discounted in the fall, often while there is still some prime camping season left. In addition to the opportunity to purchase or upgrade tents and sleeping bags, coolers, camp chairs, and loungers also go on sale and are ideal for tailgating, as well as outdoor mattresses that come in handy for accommodating holiday visitors in limited space. Traditionally, the further north you are, the better the sales.2-Wheel Trick
New bicycles tend to come out toward the end of the year, just in time for Christmas, and that’s no accident. That means that as the leaves fall, not only is the prime bike weather ending in much of the country, but the stores need to move out last year’s models to make room for new ones. You can save even more by assembling it yourself, but if it’s a smaller establishment or a big box store that’s quiet at the time, they may be willing to assemble it for free or a small tip. Bicycles are traditional holiday gifts for kids; shop early, save, and avoid last-minute madness.4-Wheel Finds
October through December are considered prime buying times for vehicles because new models started arriving in September and dealerships need to move last year’s stock. December traditionally sees the best deals as manufacturers and dealerships make a final year-end push. Maximize that negotiating power to get not only discounts off the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP), but if your credit is good, a lower interest rate, discounts on an extended warranty, and the best price for your trade-in. For those not ready to buy yet, remember that the end of any month gives a buyer more leverage than they would have on the first of a month, with salespeople desperately trying to make their quotas.Appliances and Cookware
As with vehicles, new appliances are launched just in time to be splurged on during the shopping madness of the holiday season. This results in significant discounts on current-year models in October and November. Pre-shop, particularly if it’s a large item and you need to take measurements to make sure it will fit, then keep an eye out for that dream clothes washer/dryer, dishwasher, refrigerator, or microwave. Blenders, juicers, toasters, toaster ovens, air fryers, and even irons will be discounted as well. Shopping online? Bookmark the items to make monitoring prices easier.Cookware can also be a great deal in the fall; this is a combination of retailers clearing out inventory, attracting shoppers into the store so that they will ideally buy much more than just cookware, and simply competing for those valuable holiday season consumer dollars.
