| |
The best time to buy anything |
|
|
|
Mattresses
Best time: Always
Is it always a good time to buy a mattress? It is if you ask Nancy
Shark, executive director of the Better Sleep Council, a consumer
education project supported by the mattress industry. "There
really isn't one best time to buy a mattress. Retailers always have
sales and are always doing their own thing," she says. "The
emphasis should be on looking for the best level of comfort and
support within your budget. A mattress is a really personal choice
based entirely on individual preference. In terms of shopping, look
for store services, delivery, and removal of old bedding, and be
sure to test out the mattress before buying."
Real estate
Best time: Spring
Buying and selling season starts in March and goes through the summer.
Spring invigorates the real estate market. "In the spring market,
homes look the best, grasses are green, flowers and trees are in
bloom. There's a whole new energy out there after the beginning
of the year," says Tom Stevens, immediate past president of
the National Association of Realtors. Because spring is historically
the time of the year when inventories are highest, competition is
at its peak, as well. A contrarian shopper may find negotiating
more to their liking in the fall
and winter.
RVs
Best time: Fall and winter
The market for recreational vehicles works somewhat like that of
autos. "The model years change over like cars, so there is
some special availability of the previous years product during the
fall," says Phil Ingrassia, vice president of communications
for the Recreation Vehicle Dealers of America. Throughout the winter
there may be some show specials that dealers offer or other incentives
to entice people to buy.
Toys
Best time: October and November
Retailers open up the toy chest in October and November to kick-start
their money-making season, says Reyne Rice, toy trend specialist
of the Toy Industry Association. "This is the time of year
for games and puzzles," she says. "Retailers will usually
do a buy one, get one free promotion." If you're buying a gift
for someone, the important thing to consider is whether it's appropriate
for the recipient rather than its status as the hottest new item.
"It's more important to buy something that they'll love,"
Rice says.
TVs/home theater
Best time: Winter holiday sales and January
For home theater items, in general, the holidays are a good time,
says Morris. New TV models that were announced earlier in the year
at the consumer electronics show in January arrive in stores in
August and September. They drop in price a few months after their
debut, as well as knocking down the price on the older models.
Vacuum cleaners
Best time: April and May
Most new vacuum models come out in June, says Ritchey. The prices on the older models start winding down as winter comes to an end, just in time for spring cleaning.
Wedding
Best time: Winter
Getting married during the off-season can net big savings. Demand
for wedding services wanes during the very cold months -- or if
you happen to be in a tropical climate, the very hot months -- and
that can work to your advantage. Read 7
ways to save on an off season wedding for tips on a winter-wonderland
wedding, or sweltering summer nuptials, as the case may be.
|
