The best time to buy . . . anything

Tweet

Did you know that airlines change their fare schedule three times a day? Or that cars are more likely to be a bargain at the end of the month? If you're waiting until your refrigerator gasps out its last breath of cold air to shop for a new one, you could be missing out on a chance for big savings. Timing your purchases to coincide with manufacturer discounts, clearance sales and off-season discounts will take out the stress of finding a good price on almost anything. We spoke with a few experts to get the inside scoop on the best times of the year to shop. Air conditioners Best time: winter Common sense prevails in the air-conditioner market, according to Diane Ritchey, editor of Home Appliance Magazine. "Think about when they're most in use: May through September. People feel the heat and they start to buy. The stock gets depleted, the demand is higher and so is the price. When cool weather comes around, most people just aren't into air conditioner purchasing, so the demand drops, as does the price," she says. Big appliances Best time: September and October Just like the fall clothing influx, new models of major appliance models such as ranges and washing machines hit showroom floors in September and October, says Home Appliance Magazine's Ritchey. About the same time, last year's models go on sale to make room. "Critical timing and seeing the patterns of the retail world can make a huge difference in appliance shopping," Ritchey says. For More: http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/SavingandDebt/SaveMoney/TheBestTimeToBuyAnything.aspx