When it comes to making a pricey purchase, there are ways to save money, simply by waiting for the right time to buy it.
Cell phone
Gotta get your hands on that newest, latest cell phone? You might save money if you wait.
"A lot of times when new phones come out, usually after a month, (the price) will drop down on a special," said Steve Marshall, Sprint district manager.
Marshall shares more savings secrets: "New models come out quite often, and a lot of times, we'll discount the previous models, so if you don't have to have the newest and latest, you might be able to find a better deal."
If you're looking for that peak time of year for deep discounts on cell phones, cash in at Christmas time. That's when companies compete for your holiday shopping dollars.
"You might receive an additional mail-in rebate," Marshall said. "Or a lot of times, we'll have specials, like buy one, get one free."
Television
The same goes for TV's. There's a reason that electronics fly off the shelves during the holidays.
"During Christmas time, you're going to have great deals," said Adam Liebling, manager at Best Buy electronics store. "Discounts anywhere from ten percent off, to hundreds of dollars off."
But even waiting until after Christmas can score you a big bargain. "Kind of the big Superbowl time period of January is a great time to buy as well," said Liebling. "We have some great promotions with financing and some good discounted TVs."
Car
In the market for a new car? Try rolling into the dealership toward the end of the year, when car lots face crunch-time for meeting quotas and commissions.
"When it comes to that time, they'll do anything to make the car deal," said Maya Schacht with AAA Automotive Services. "They don't want you to leave."
Schacht says the best time to buy a car is during the months of August, September, or October. That's when current cars must clear out, to make space for newer-year models coming in. Besides slashing prices, some dealers might offer incentives, like maintenance plans or bonuses, to make the sale.
But a warning: this prime time for purchasing doesn't last long. "The longer you wait, the inventory just isn't that great," said Schacht. "And you will get stuck with whatever is out there, and usually it's the more expensive models, and you kind of take whatever color is available."
House
What about when it comes to perhaps the biggest purchase of your life?
"I think 2008 will be a great time to buy a house most anytime during the year," said John Strobeck, with Bright Future Consulting. Strobeck says it's a buyer's market. So if you are house-hunting, he says consider this: "You're probably going to get a better selection in the spring and fall than you will in the summertime."
That's because the summer is when families look to move into homes before their kids start the new school year. It's also when new winter visitors come flocking to Tucson to settle in for the season. So, avoid the summer, and you'll avoid extra competition over available homes."
No comments:
Post a Comment