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Q: I’m on the hunt for some new patio furniture for my backyard, but I don’t have a lot in my budget. Can you tell me when to look out for discounts and which months are the best time to buy patio furniture?
A: Like anything else, you never have to pay full price for patio furniture unless you absolutely must have a specific set, color, and model. Unfortunately, the best time to buy patio furniture doesn’t mean you’ll get precisely what you want. It means you might get something very similar, at a price you can afford. Take a look at the timelines below to determine how much risk you’re willing to put in waiting for the best deal vs. getting that set you’ve been eyeing all summer long.
In August and September, most stores are clearing out the summer inventory.
Don’t expect discounts going into the summer months or in the heart of the season. That’s prime time for backyard makeovers and outdoor barbecues. But, come August, when September is around the corner, and everyone is preparing for life to “go back to normal,” the sales start up.
For those whose budgets can afford a 20-percent discount off the regular price, this might be the time to buy because you’ll find more inventory, and you’ll have a better chance of getting your dream patio set. If you hold off until September, you might get 50 percent off—if your items are still in stock.
Of course, nothing says you need to buy everything all at once. If you absolutely want one or more items and you’re willing to purchase at 20 percent off, go for it. You can hold off for more significant discounts down the road for the other furniture on the list.
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In late October you can often find deep discounts on patio furniture.
By October, you can find savings up to 70 percent off, which means splurging on expensive items at prices you can afford. Stores want to clear out floor space for winter stock, and they need to sell whatever patio furniture is left over.
Just keep in mind that as inventory drops, the available items might not match up to that perfect backyard you’ve imagined all summer long. But who says everything needs to match up perfectly? Unexpected finds can add character to your backyard or front porch.
And, if you want something that you know will be available again the following year, buy however many pieces you can get your hands on at 70 percent off, and wait until next summer to buy the rest. That’s still smart shopping.
Look out for January sales as the stores kick off the new year.
New Year’s specials are always a great time to be on the lookout for a deal. Search brick-and-mortar stores to see if they have any one-off items hanging around from the previous season. You can also try searching online to see if you can find any discounts.
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Online sales may get you significant discounts during February.
Some brick-and-mortar stores may start carrying spring and summer items in February, but online is still your best choice for this time of year. You can frequently find items cheaper online than in stores because of an online manufacturer’s lack of overhead costs.
Like a brick-and-mortar store, online retailers need to make space for new inventory. It might not be for the sales floor, but the items still take up room in their warehouses—making February an excellent time to shop online as they too want to stock up for the new season.
Keep an eye out for Earth Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, and other holiday sales.
On Earth Day and Memorial Day, everyone’s eyes are sparkling with the anticipation of summer. If there’s any stock leftover from last year, it will be marked off, and you’ll be able to scope out the new stock and see if you get lucky with any sales.
Around Labor Day, everyone’s getting ready for back to school and thinking of wrapping up summer. Campers are coming home; cottage trips are ending for the year. And stores are starting to think of making room for fall and winter stock. You might be able to find items marked at 50 percent off—yay!.
People love deals, and people love to shop—especially on holidays. They flood the malls and online stores— everyone wants a deal. It’s always a good idea to look for holiday sales.