Power Shopping: The Great Deals of Fall

Cookware and appliances can be deeply discounted this time of year. Unsplash

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.

Saving Green on Greenery

Spruce up the coming dark days of winter and add a dash of spice to Thanksgiving dinner with fresh herbs and other vibrant plants at great prices. Deals abound during the fall as large retailers and small nurseries alike want to sell off their current stock to make space for holiday-season poinsettia, topiary rosemary, etc. Before buying, make sure there’s a plan to keep the plant alive, particularly if it’s going to have to spend the winter indoors.

Vacation Thoughts

Airfare prices for top destinations, and particularly those that peak in the summer, drop significantly in the fall, with discounts ranging from 10 percent to up to 40 percent. Hotel rates are also lower, making a “shoulder season"—after summer, but before the holiday rush—vacation quite the deal; as a bonus, many destinations will be less crowded, and rental cars might be cheaper, too. Luggage normally goes on sale at this time as well, to round out the budget-conscious bon voyage.

End of Season 101

The first rule of sale shopping is not to buy things just because there is a huge discount. Focus on what you will actually use.

Fine Dining

In-season fruits and vegetables are tastier and less expensive. Fall provides a bountiful harvest of apples, pears, cranberries, honeydew melon, eggplant, zucchini, broccoli, cauliflower, and more. Consider freezing some or canning them.

Denim Wonders

Retailers tend to stockpile jeans for the back-to-school season, meaning now there are overstocks available at deeply discounted prices and often in sizes that can fit the entire family. NOTE: Keep away from the bling jeans; they don’t look good on anyone out of their teens.

Summer Looks

Swimwear and summer apparel have been known to be discounted for clearance by up to 80 to 90 percent by retailers that need to move the last of them. When shopping for kids, take into account how much they will grow by next summer.