When Is The Best Time of Year To Buy Electronic Products?

Smart shoppers know that they can get the best price on certain items if the purchase at the right time. Considering the cost of certain electronic goods such as large screen TVs, computers and digital cameras, it would probably pay to make your purchase at the right time.

 

SAN FRANCISCO - NOVEMBER 18: A Costco custome...

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For most big-ticket items, one of the best ways to save is to make a purchase in the spring. Although there is great consumer demand for big-screen televisions in the fall months when football season ramps up, it isn’t always the best time to buy. Many television manufacturers roll out their new models in March and April. This means retailers need to move the previous year’s models in order to make room on store shelves. They respond by cutting prices, and if you are really lucky, you could get a great deal if your favorite retailer is known for its clearance deals.

 

The same holds true for digital cameras, though most new models are released earlier in the year. If you didn’t buy a camera in the pre-Christmas rush, don’t worry. February could bring you a better deal on last year’s camera.

 

Holidays can also be a great time to bargain shop. Retailers get ready for the large crowds by enticing them with deep discounts, and some even use drastic price cuts as “loss leaders”. In other words, they expect to lose money on phenomenal sale prices, but make up for it with the volume of sales. Of course, buying on Cyber Monday (the Monday following Thanksgiving) can net you a bargain, especially if your favorite online retailer offers free shipping. However, true bargain hunters know how to compare prices, scour for coupons, and find great deals all year long.

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Getting A Great Deal On A Refurbished Product

Have you ever shopped around online and found a great price on something, only to click on it and discover that it is labeled “refurbished”? Many people avoid refurbished products due to the label, but it they can often be great deals, especially on electronics items.

 

My first refurb

Image by david roessli via Flickr

Refurbished does not always mean “rebuilt” or “repaired”. A common misconception is that faulty items are returned to the retailer by the customer, and then they are repaired and resold. This might sometimes be the case, but most companies don’t spend the time or money on expensive repairs just to resell the item at a low cost.

 

Sometimes a particular component of a product line has been found to be defective. When this happens, the defective part is replaced and the item is as good as new. These items can be resold because they will work perfectly well.

 

In other cases, an item may have slight cosmetic damage that does not affect the way it works. If the item is not in “mint” condition, retailers label it refurbished and resell it. Usually, most refurbished items have simply been opened. Many are customer returns or even display models that have hardly been used. Because they are no longer “new”, they are labeled refurbished even though no repairs are necessary.

 

Always check the return policy or warranty before purchasing: the deep discount may restrict returns. Never spend more than you feel comfortable with if you are not confident that you can repair an item yourself, or if you feel you may need to return it for any reason.

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